Gerry Goffin and Carole King

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  • Year:
    1990
  • Inducted by:
    Ben E. King
  • Category:
    Ahmet Ertegun Award

Introduction

Gerry Goffin and Carole King wrote much of the soundtrack of the Sixties.

Chances are, you have danced around to a hit single by the dynamic songwriting duo. Goffin wrote the lyrics and King wrote the music for such hits as “Will You Love Me Tomorrow,” “One Fine Day” and “Don’t Bring Me Down.”

Hall of Fame Essay

1990

Ken Barnes

It's all in the songs. Sure, the bare bones of the story might make a serviceable plot. Budding songwriter has hit song written about her by school chum. She cuts answer record about him, "Oh! Neil"; tries again with answer record to immortal hit "Tall Paul." "Short Mort" . . . more like "Instant Morte." She meets chemistry student/budding lyricist. They write, fall in love, and the hits keep coming.

For three years, from 1961 to 1963, Gerry Goffin and Carole King owned the franchise for the soundtrack of early-Sixties lives. Not convinced? Lamp the list: "Chains," "Don't Say Nothin' Bad (About My Baby),' "Every Breath I Take," "Go Away Little Girl," "Hey Girl," "I Can't Stay Mad at You," "It Might As Well Rain Until September," "Keep Your Hands off My Baby," "The Loco-Motion," "One Fine Day," "Point of No Return," 'Take Good Care of My Baby," "When My Little Girl Is Smiling," "Will You Love Me Tomorrow" Unforgettable hits everyone (a list by no means complete).

Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony Program Cover 1990
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some of the most important people to us all are songwriters
Ben E. King

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Gallery

Photography: Kevin Mazur, WireImage