Gerry Goffin, one of music's most prolific hit composers, has died at age 75. Often with his then-wife Carole King, Goffin had a hand in more than 50 Top 40 songs.

Classic rock fans will likely remember Goffin tunes like 'It's Not the Spotlight' by Rod Stewart, 'Pleasant Valley Sunday' by the Monkees, and 'Chains,' which was later covered by the Beatles. Goffin and King were also introduced as members of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame's class of 1990 by Bruce Springsteen manager/producer Jon Landau.

"Gerry was a good man with a dynamic force, whose words and creative influence will resonate for generations to come," King said in a statement. "His words expressed what so many people were feeling but didn't know how to say."

Goffin had his biggest success in the world of pop music. Among his best-known hits were 'Tonight, I Celebrate My Love' by Peabo Bryson and Roberta Flack, 'Mahogany' by Diana Ross, and 'Savin' All My Love for You' by Whitney Houston. Together with King, he composed 'Crying in the Rain' for the Everly Brothers, 'Will You Love Me Tomorrow' for the Shirelles, and 'Some Kind of Wonderful' for the Drifters, among many others. King later launched a celebrated solo career.

The Goffin-King partnership served as an inspiration for the Tony-nominated Broadway musical 'Beautiful.' A spokesman said a performance tonight (June 19) would be dedicated to Goffin.

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