Died On This Date (June 19, 2014) Gerry Goffin / Celebrated Songwriter
themusicsover Gerry Goffin
February 11, 1939 – June 19, 2014
Gerry Goffin was arguably America’s most prolific hit lyricist. During the second half of the 20th century, no fewer than 50 songs that he penned the lyrics for made the Top 40. Born in Brooklyn, New York, Goffin married Carole King who also happened to be his song writing partner throughout the ’60s. As part of the legendary Brill Building collective, Goffin and King wrote such pop and rock standards as “Will You Love Me Tomorrow,” “Take Good Care Of My Baby,” “The Loco-Motion,” “Go Away Little Girl,” and “Pleasant Valley Sunshine.” The seemingly endless list of artists who made their songs into hits includes Little Eva, the Shirelles, the Four Seasons, Bobby Vee, Dion & the Belmonts, Grand Funk Railroad, the Monkees, and Aretha Franklin. Goffin also had successful writing partnerships with Barry Goldberg, Barry Mann, Michael Masser, and Russ Titelman. He was nominated for an Academy Award in for his co-write on the theme song to the 1975 film, Mahogany, which was sung by Diana Ross. Goffin also wrote the Whitney Houston hit, “Savin’ All My Love for You.” He and King were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1990. Gerry Goffin was 75 when he died of natural causes on June 19, 2014.
Thanks to Harold Lepidus at Bob Dylan Examiner for the assist.
Fred Milano is best remembered as part of the influential doo-wop singing outfit, Dion & The Belmonts. Formed by Dion DiMucci during the late ’50s, the vocal group perfected their harmonies while singing on street corners in the Bronx section of New York City. They went on to world-wide fame with such hits as “I Wonder Why,” “A Teenager In Love,” and “Where Or When.” Dion left the group for a solo career in 1960, so the Belmonts continued on as a trio. They reunited with DiMucci a couple over the next ten years or so. Milano went on to work for the New York City Department of Correction. Fred Milano died as a result of lung cancer on January 1, 2012. He was 72.
