Renowned musician Charles Larkey was wedded to the esteemed Tapestry composer Carole King.
Carole King stands as the unrivaled, triumphant female songwriter of the latter half of the 20th States.
She boasts an impressive array of accolades, including four Grammy wins, two inductions into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, inductions into the Songwriters Hall of Fame, and the esteemed 2013 Library of Congress Gershwin Prize.
With a discography spanning over 20 albums, Carole King, the former spouse of Larkey, emerges as one of the most exceptional singer-songwriters of her generation.
Who is Charles Larkey?
Charles Larkey was the second out of four husbands to whom the renowned singer-songwriter Carole King has been married.
After Carole’s divorce from American lyricist Gerald Goffin, she married Charles. Following her divorce from Gerald, Carole relocated to Los Angeles’ Laurel Canyon.
Following her divorce from Gerry Goffin, Carole King relocated with her two daughters, Louise and Sherry.
She started her recording career and formed “The City,” a trio of musicians. Charles Larkey, who would eventually wed Carole, was among the group.
Along with Danny Kortchmar on guitar and vocals and Carole King on piano and vocals, Larkey played bass.
In 1968, the group released a single album titled Now That Everything’s Been Said.
The album didn’t do well on the market. The City called it quits in 1969.
During the 1970s, Charles Larkey contributed bass guitar to several of Carole’s records.
In the band, Jo Mama, Charles, and Danny Kortchmar got back together. Charles signed up with The Fugs toward the end of 1967.
He belonged to The Myddle Class. Chris Irby was the band’s first bass guitarist. Larkey took Chris Irby’s position after he decided to retire.
The band’s drummer, Mike Rosa, suggested Larkey, a buddy from Governor Livingston High School. Charles was learning the bass at the time.
Larkey exuded confidence on stage and wore the newest mod styles from his father’s Newark store, Larkey’s. But the band disbanded.
Among others, Charles anchored releases by Paul Williams, Peter Allen, The Doors sans Mojo, The Fugs, and B.J. Thomas.
The story of Charles Larkey’s meeting and marriage to Carole King
The award-winning singer Carole’s songs not only helped to create the atmosphere of the time but also her own life and the lives of those around her. Carole’s work has earned her four Grammy awards.
She is regarded by many as one of the era’s most accomplished vocalists and songwriters.
Charles was the bassist in a band called The Myddle Class, where she initially got to know him.
In 1965, she and her former spouse, Gerry Goffin, signed the band to their company, Tomorrow Records.
Goffin, King’s first spouse and co-writer of songs, was still her husband at the time, although they later began dating after their marriage to Goffin ended in divorce.
In 1970, Larkey wed Carole, two years following her split from Goffin, her first husband.
However, the gifted jazz musicians’ marriage lasted just six years before they called it quits in 1976.
The real reason behind their divorce
Surprisingly, Larkey and King’s marriage terminated for the same reason that initially drew them together after they had met while working together.
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Larkey’s ex-wife disclosed the real reason for their divorce in an interview conducted in the years after their split.
When they were married, Larkey allegedly became really into his music and just hung together.
King, who was made to become a housewife while Larkey lived the life of a musician, did not take this well. In the end, this caused their marriage to dissolve in 1976.
Additional information regarding Charles Larkey’s life
1. He was born and raised in New Jersey
Based on his early upbringing and schooling at Governor Livington High School, he is a native of New Jersey.
His father was a successful businessman because he operated a store at the Larkey’s in Newark.
The shop, which has evolved into a multigenerational family enterprise, commemorated its 50th anniversary in 1951.
It was among the area’s oldest menswear establishments at the time.
Investigations are ongoing to find out more information regarding his early years.
2. Larkey acquired bass-playing skills from The King Bees
Although Larkey had no intention of becoming a bassist, his innate personality and rapid learning curve put him on the path to greatness.
Furthermore, it was reported that the up-and-coming bassist had a keen sense of style, drawing attention from onlookers with his fashionable outfits from his father’s shop.
His friend Myke Rosa persuaded him to join the garage band King Bees, which was the band that came before the Myddle Class.
The band quickly rose to fame with hits including “She’s Not There,” “It’s the Season,” and “Shout.”
3. Charles Larkey and his ex-wife have two children together
They had two children, Molly Larkey and Levi Larkey, despite their marriage ending in divorce in less than ten years. On December 31, 1971, their daughter Molly was born.
The 51-year-old inherited an artistic quality from her father, a bassist, and mother, a singer-songwriter.
She uses sculpture as a medium and has a sharp eye for well-known authors who have taken their own lives.
The artist, who studied at Columbia and Rutgers, held a solo show in 2007. Levi, Larkey and Carole’s second child, was born on April 23, 1974.
He works in the entertainment sector as well. Levi, in contrast to his well-known parents, is a boom operator for motion pictures such as 44 (2007).
Where is the former Myddle Class guitarist now?
The former guitarist for bands including Myddle Class, The Fugs, and Carole King’s husband is still alive.
He experimented with several things after his performances with all of the bands he was with ended in the 1970s and 1980s.
He reportedly attempted acting before deciding to work as an instructor and pilot for an aerobic airplane dealer.
Charley Larkey reportedly resides in Austin, Texas, at the moment.