Roger Nichols, the multi-instrumentalist behind the Carpenters‘ biggest hits passed away “peacefully” on May 17. He was 84-years old.
Taking to his Instagram account, Nichols songwriting partner Paul Williams stated:
“The first song, Roger Nichols and I wrote was called ‘It’s hard to say goodbye…’ Sadly, we hit the nail on the head. Roger Nichols passed away peacefully four days ago, at home with his beautiful family …his wife Terry and the daughters he was so proud of, Claire and Caitlin at his side. They were his dream come true. His greatest joy.”
Together, the songwriting team of Nichols and Williams penned the music and lyrics to such Carpenters’ hits as ‘Rainy Days and Mondays’ and ‘I Won’t Last a Day Without You,’ and their songs were also performed by the likes of Barbra Streisand, Diana Ross, Petula Clark, and The Monkees.
In a emotional social media tribute to her father, Roger’s daughter, Claire, wrote on Instagram:
“My mom, Terri, and my sisters, Caroline and Caitlin, are all so proud of the man he was, and are in awe of the legacy he leaves.” “We’ve Only Just Begun’ was originally a jingle for a Crocker National Bank commercial.
Now 78-years old, Richard Carpenter originally approached Williams and asked if he had a complete version of the track after seeing the television advertisement. Paul soon extended the music, and the Carpenters ended up recording and releasing the song in 1970 that was subsequently nominated for Song of the Year and Best Contemporary Song at the Grammy Awards.
Brother-sister duo the Carpenters were fronted by the late Karen Carpenter, who tragically died at the age of 32 in February of 1983.
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Author: Al Denté
Photo: A&M Records – Public Domain