Carole King

Carole King was born Carole Klein in New York City in 1942. By her late teens, she had already written her first major hit, "Will You Love Me Tomorrow," which became a chart-topper for the Shirelles. In the early 1960s, she formed a songwriting partnership with lyricist Gerry Goffin, and together they produced a string of hits including "One Fine Day," "Up on the Roof," and "The Loco-Motion."

After her marriage to Goffin ended in 1968, King began recording as a solo artist. Her 1970 debut album "Writer" featured what would become one of her signature songs, "It's Too Late." The following year's album "Tapestry" became a cultural touchstone, selling millions of copies and including tracks like "(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman" and "Where You Lead." These songs demonstrated her ability to write both introspective ballads and more straightforward pop material.

King's later work includes songs like "Lay Down My Life" and "Goin' Back," which continued her exploration of personal themes. She has occasionally performed with family members, including her sister Louise Goffin in the duo The City. Over the decades, her songs have been covered by artists ranging from Aretha Franklin to Elvis Presley.