Latest news with #saygoodbye…'
Los Angeles Times
23-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Los Angeles Times
Roger Nichols, songwriter behind the Carpenters' hits, dead at 84
Roger Nichols, the songwriter who penned 'We've Only Just Begun' and other hits for folk-rock duo the Carpenters, has died. He was 84. Nichols' death on May 17 was confirmed in a social media post from Nichols' longtime songwriting partner, Paul Williams. He did not list a cause of death. '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,' Williams wrote. 'His wife Terry and the daughters he was so proud of, Claire and Caitlin at his side. 'He was as disciplined as he was talented,' Williams continued. 'The words were born of the beauty in his completed melodies. I wrote what I heard, note for note …word for word. The lyrics waiting in the emotion already in his music. He made it easy.' Nichols, a Montana native, released his first solo LP, 'Roger Nichols & the Small Circle of Friends,' on A&M Records in 1968. It's now regarded as a cult classic in the California pop-rock canon, with guest credits from Randy Newman, Van Dyke Parks and Lenny Waronker. However, he earned his big break as a songwriter after he penned an unexpectedly poignant jingle for a Crocker-Citizens National Bank commercial. Richard Carpenter, who formed the popular duo with his sister Karen, heard the tune on television and asked if Nichols and Williams had a full version of the song. They quickly extended it into a tune that became the duo's 1970 smash 'We've Only Just Begun.' The single was nominated for song of the year at the following Grammys. With Williams (and other lyricists), Nichols co-wrote many of the Carpenters' most beloved songs, including 'Rainy Days and Mondays,' 'I Won't Last a Day Without You,' 'Let Me Be the One' and 'I Kept on Loving You.' Beyond his hits for the Carpenters, Nichols co-wrote songs that were recorded by the Monkees, Barbra Streisand, Diana Ross, Petula Clark and Art Garfunkel, among many others. In a comment on Williams' post, Nichols' daughter Claire wrote, '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.'
Metro
23-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Metro
The Carpenters legend Roger Nichols dies aged 84
Roger Nichols, the composer behind some of The Carpenters' greatest hits, has died at the age of 84. The songwriter was a composer and songwriter who was behind The Carpenters' biggest hit We've Only Just Begun, and was a frequent collaborator. It was announced that he died on May 17, but the news was only just made public. Paul Williams, his songwriting partner of many years, confirmed the news in a post. '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.' This is a breaking news story, more to follow soon… Check back shortly for further updates. If you've got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@ calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we'd love to hear from you. For more stories like this, check our entertainment page. Follow Entertainment on Twitter and Facebook for the latest celeb and entertainment updates. You can now also get articles sent straight to your device. Sign up for our daily push alerts here. MORE: TV and soap legend Timothy West's cause of death revealed MORE: Beloved Cheers and Space Jam actor Michael Alaimo dies aged 86 MORE: Shakira fans concerned after 'highly infectious disease spreads at her concert'
