Roger Nichols, the hitmaker behind some of The Carpenters’ most loved songs, has died aged 84.
The celebrated songwriter helped write some of the group’s biggest tracks, such as We’ve Only Just Begun, Rainy Days and Mondays, and I Won’t Last a Day Without You. He wrote these songs – and many more – with his close pal and long-time collaborator Paul Williams.
The American composer and multi-instrumentalist passed away “peacefully” at his home on May 17, Paul confirmed. Roger’s cause of death is currently unknown but he was surrounded by family at the end.
Paul confirmed news of Roger’s passing on Instagram with an emotional tribute to his friend. He wrote: “The first song, Roger Nichols and I wrote was called ‘It’s hard to say goodbye…’ Sadly, we hit the nail on the head.
(Image: NBCU Photo Bank via Getty Images)
“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.”
Claire, Roger’s daughter, has shared how “proud” she was of her famous father in a touching tribute of her own. She 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.”
(Image: Youtube)
Tributes from fans have been pouring in for the songwriter online. One wrote: “Rainy Days and Mondays, We’ve Only Just Begun, I Won’t Last a Day… Your partnership left a mark, forever.
“Men like he an you are gifted with one of the most rare circumstances in a human life: immortality through art. Each time one of your records spins, he’ll live again somehow. All souls las forever (I’ve heard it somewhere…) Love and gratitude,”
Another commented: “My sympathies! Roger, I felt never got all the recognition for his work as he should’ve. It feels like there’s too many songwriters out there who the general public doesn’t know because their songs are performed by the well known singers and bands. I have a number of records with the names ‘Roger Nichols – Paul Williams’ and they make me smile quite often. Thoughts and prayers to Roger and his family/friends,”
A third commented: “This is not the news I wanted to wake up to. I have long considered Roger a genius and the two of you to be one of the greatest songwriting teams ever…PERIOD. There’s nothing like discovering yet another perfect little Roger Nichols-Paul Williams gem I hadn’t heard before.
“Thank you both endlessly and RIP to Roger. I’m glad to be among the ‘small circle of friends’ who understand all that he brought to the world,”
A fourth penned: “RIP. I was just singing I Won’t Last a Day Without You. Such a beautiful song.” Another added their condolences, saying: “So sorry to hear this. He wrote some amazing songs with and without Paul Williams.”
The Carpenters were comprised of siblings Karen and Richard Carpenter. The group are now among the bestselling music artists of all time, and they achieved major success in 1970 with their hit We’ve Only Just Begun.
Nichols wrote the music and Williams penned the lyrics for the song, which was originally written for a Crocker Bank commercial. Richard Carpenter spotted the song’s potential after hearing it on TV and the rest is history.
The track not only scored a Grammy Award nomination for Song of the Year but also made it onto BMI’s million performances list and bagged an accolade for a million sales in sheet music.
With Paul, Nichols also wrote the song Someday Man for The Monkees. The song, sung by Monkees singer Davy Jones, was released in 1969 alongside their single Listen to the Band – but Williams later released his own version of the song.
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Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
