Carole King's Landmark Album 'Tapestry' Was Released 45 Years Ago Today
"Tapestry" also helped King garner four Grammy Awards in 1972.
— -- Today marks the 45th anniversary of the release of Carole King's classic album "Tapestry," which established the prolific singer-songwriter as a major solo star.
Throughout the 1960s, King had churned out hit after hit for other artists with her husband and songwriting partner, Gerry Goffin, but after the couple divorced in 1969, King focused on recording her own tunes.
"Tapestry," King's sophomore album, featured such hits as the chart-topping double single "It's Too Late" and "I Feel the Earth Move," as well as "So Far Away" and "You've Got a Friend," the latter becoming a No.1 hit for James Taylor in 1971. "Tapestry" topped the Billboard 20 for 15 weeks during that same year, a record that lasted until 1993, when Whitney Houston's "The Bodyguard" soundtrack was No. 1 for 20 weeks.
"Tapestry" also helped King, 74, garner four Grammy Awards in 1972, including Album of the Year; Record of the Year for "It's Too Late"; and Song of the Year for "You've Got a Friend."
The album has gone on to sell more than 10 million copies in the United States alone, according to the Recording Industry Association of America.
As previously reported, a new documentary called "Carole King: Natural Woman" will premiere Feb. 19 at 9 p.m. ET on PBS to coincide with the "Tapestry" 45th anniversary.
The film, which will air as part of the network's “American Masters” series, will tell the story of King's life, from her Brooklyn childhood and her songwriting success with Goffin to her heyday as a solo star, all the way up through today.
The flick will include previously unseen performances and home movies, as well as a new interview with King and conversations with many of her collaborators and musical friends.