I saw this (previously On Broadway) Musical the other night and really, really enjoyed it. Fabulous songs we all know (or should) performed by talented actors/singers/musicians. How can anyone not love Carole King?
Unveiling the Tapestry of her life…the good, the bad, the incredible…
“All I needed to do was sing with conviction, speaking my truth from the heart, honestly and straightforwardly, and to offer my words, ideas and music to the audience as if it were one collective friend that I’d known for a very long time.” – Carole King
Carole King started out her humble beginnings as Carole Klein (she’s claimed it would take her five decades to appreciate her surname and the history that came with it) living in a Brooklyn apartment with her separated piano teacher mother, but ended up living her dream of becoming a master song writer and as we all now know; a music legend.
The pianist/song writer had a strong conviction in her ability to write great songs and enough chutzpah to walk into a music producer’s office in Manhattan with her sheet music and no appointment and ask for an audition. She was lucky. The producer happened to be there and she left getting hired on the spot to write music at the age of 15. Having already skipped two grades, she was a smart cookie and her determination paid off. She signed her first contract with ABC-Paramount that same year.
From there she grew up pretty fast.
She met lyricist Gerry Goffin while still a teenager and by the age of 20 she was a married mother of two. Together they co-wrote many singles that made it to top charts for stars like The Shirelles “Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow,” and Aretha Franklin’s (you make me feel like a) “Natural Woman.” Hope they don’t ban that song or change the words – don’t get me started! “You’ve Got a Friend” became a No. 1 hit for James Taylor and he was apparently too nervous to speak to her on the first night they met.
It was these pop standards that led John Lennon to remark that, when he and Paul McCartney first got together, they wanted to be “the Goffin-King of England.” It was those songs that were given to Randy Newman in demo form as examples of perfect writing (he has called King his hero).
“I only wanted to be a songwriter. I never wanted to be a singer. And I never wanted to be famous.” – Carole King
For the purpose of this post I prefer to focus on King’s musical accomplishments and not so much on her personal life, however I should point out that she suffered some emotional abuse when Goffin couldn’t stop his cheating heart with women they knew and worked with. King tried to stick it out chalking the infidelities up to the fact that they got married so young. But there was only so much she could take and she ended up moving on.
And move on she did…
The day before Tapestry came out Carole King turned 28, by which time she had been in the music business for more than a decade. The only thing she wasn’t confident about was her own singing voice, but since the album was very personal and she wasn’t sure who she could get to sing it, she decided to do so.
Tapestry was one of my all time favourite albums and of course I’m not alone. like so many others, I knew all the words to every song . Tapestry has been certified 14× Platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America in the US, and has sold an estimated 25 million copies worldwide, making it one of the best-selling albums of all time.
One of her proudest accomplishments was playing Carnegie Hall in 1971.
It was the first time she played in front of a live audience with a roster that formerly included Tchaikovsky, George Gershwin, Billie Holiday, Judy Garland and The Beatles. A music-making honour roll of artists representing the finest of every genre has filled Carnegie Hall throughout the years. Carole King was now among them. It was moving when Goffin showed up and surprised her and said “I’m Sorry.”
King was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a solo artist in 2021.
I highly recommend this production showcasing unforgettable classics by King and her contemporaries—“The Locomotion,” “One Fine Day,” “You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feeling,” “Will You Love Me Tomorrow,” “(You Make Me Feel Like a) Natural Woman,” and many more.
Where is she now? Inquiring minds want to know
After moving to Los Angeles and living in Laurel Canyon for a spell, she relocated to Idaho after retiring from actively making music in 2012. Although she still attends various events and award shows, in recent years, King has focused on her personal life and philanthropic endeavors. She is a strong advocate for environmental and political causes, and has used her platform to raise awareness and funds for various organizations. She has 4 children and is now 81 years old and still looking good.
You’ve got to get up every morningWith a smile on your faceAnd show the world all the love in your heartThen people gonna treat you betterYou’re gonna find, yes you willThat you’re beautiful, as you feel – lyrics from “Beautiful” by Carole King.
Playing until August 6th at the Stanley Industrial Alliance Stage – An Arts Club Production.
https://artsclub.com/shows/2022-2023/beautiful-the-carole-king-musical
It’s a Beautiful show.
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