Not only has Carole King found success as a songwriter for other artists, but, with Tapestry, she achieved significant sales and critical acclaim in her own right. The album is ranked as No.36 on Rolling Stone's list of the 500 greatest albums of all time.
While she was at Queens College she befriended Neil Sedaka and Paul Simon. It was also where she first met her songwriting partner -- who eventually became her husband -- Gerry Goffin. She and Goffin began to write songs for other artists and found success with many well-known songs of the day including "Will You Love Me Tomorrow" by The Shirelles, "Take Good Care of my Baby" by Bobby Vee, "The Loco-Motion" by Little Eva, "Up on the Roof" by The Drifters, and "Pleasant Valley Sunday" by The Monkees.
Her solo career was somewhat slow to start, so she diverted her attentions to starting a record label Tomorrow Records. She also divorced Goffin and married Charles Larkey, another songwriter. Together Larkey and King formed The City but their album failed to sell well, nor did her own solo effort Writer (1970).
That all changed with the release of Tapestry in 1971. It was a huge success with several successful singles and it sold by the million. Subsequent albums Music (1971), Rhymes and Reasons (1972), Fantasy (1973) and Wrap Around Joy (1974) all performed well.
She reunited professionally with Goffin for 1975's Thoroughbred, which they co-wrote with David Crosby, Graham Nash, and James Taylor. After Thoroughbred she took several years off, before returning in the 80s with Speeding Time (1983) and City Streets (1989).
In 1990 she was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and she continues to release albums and tour. (SoundUnwound.com)
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