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Lyricist Gerry Goffin, Carole King’s ex-husband and prolific writing partner, dies at 75

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This undated image released by The O and M Company shows lyricist Gerry Goffin with his wife Michelle at the opening night of "Beautiful: The Carole King Musical," in New York. Goffin, ex-husband of Carole King, died Wednesday, June 18, 2014, at his home in Los Angeles. He was 75. Goffin, who married King in 1959 while both were in their teens, penned more than 50 top 40 hits, including "Pleasant Valley Sunday" for the Monkees, "Crying in the Rain" by the Everly Brothers, “Some King of Wonderful” for the Drifters and "Take Good Care of My Baby" by Bobby Vee. The couple divorced in 1968 but Goffin kept writing hits, including "Savin\' All My Love for You" for Whitney Houston. (AP Photo/The O and M Company, Bruce Glikas)

NEW YORK, N.Y. – Lyricist Gerry Goffin, who with his then-wife and songwriting partner Carole King wrote such 1960s hits as “Will You Love Me Tomorrow” and “Natural Woman,” has died at his home in Los Angeles. He was 75.

He and King also were behind “Halfway to Paradise” and “The Loco-Motion.”

His wife, Michelle Goffin, says he died Wednesday of natural causes.

Goffin married King in 1959 while they were in their teens. He penned more than 50 top 40 hits, including “Pleasant Valley Sunday” for the Monkees, “Crying in the Rain” by the Everly Brothers, “Take Good Care of My Baby” by Bobby Vee and “You’ve Got a Friend” by James Taylor.

Goffin and King divorced in 1968. Their love affair is the subject of the Tony Award-nominated Broadway musical “Beautiful: The Carole King Musical.”

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