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Songwriter Gerry Goffin Passes
June 20, 2014 at 8:24 AM (PT)
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Songwriter and lyricist GERRY GOFFIN died early THURSDAY (6/19) of natural causes. He was 75.
GOFFIN, along with former wife and songwriting partner CAROLE KING, wrote such classics as The Loco-Motion, Will You Love Me Tomorrow, Up On The Roof, One Fine Day, (You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman.
In a statement to the press KING said, "He had a profound impact on my life and the rest of the world. GERRY was a good man and a dynamic force, whose words and creative influence will resonate for generations to come. His words expressed what so many people were feeling but didn't know how to say. If you want to join his loved ones in honoring him, look at the names of the songwriters under the titles of songs."
The husband-wife team were part of the famous BRILL BUILDING songwriting collective and scored their breakthrough hit in 1961 with the SHIRELLES' "Will You Love Me Tomorrow."
In addition to KING, GOFFIN's other writing partners included BARRY MANN, JACK KELLER, RUSS TITELMAN, BARRY GOLDBERG and MICHAEL MASSER. All told, their impact on Pop music was felt from the early '60s onward through the '90s through compositions recorded by the biggest acts of the day including: ARETHA FRANKLIN, DRIFTERS, RIGHTEOUS BROTHERS, RONETTES, MONKEES, HERMAN'S HERMITS, DUSTY SPRINGFIELD, ANIMALS, BEN E. KING, GENE PITNEY, BOBBY VEE, CRYSTALS, CHIFFONS, LITTLE EVA, GLADYS KNIGHT, DIANA ROSS and BEATLES.
GOFFIN and KING were inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 1987 and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame three years later.
Daughter LOUISE GOFFIN said her dad "wore his heart on his sleeve, and I am deeply blessed to have had a father who could so easily make the world laugh and cry with just a spiral notebook and a pen."
He is survived by his wife, MICHELE, five children and six grandchildren.

