In the grand storybook of 20th‑century American music, there are superstars whose names people know by heart — and then there are the musicians who helped shape that music from the shadows. Charles Larkey belongs to the latter group: a musician whose steady bass lines grounded some of the most memorable rock and singer‑songwriter recordings of his era, and whose life intersected with some of the biggest names in music history.
Though his name is not widely known like many of his contemporaries, Larkey’s musical contributions and relationships — especially with Carole King — leave a rich story worth telling. In this article, we explore his life, career, and legacy, while also touching on the key figures connected to him through music and family.
Charles Larkey — Biography Table
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Charles Larkey |
| Profession | Bassist, Musician |
| Famous For | Playing bass for Carole King, The City, The Myddle Class |
| Date of Birth | Mid-1940s (exact date not publicly confirmed) |
| Age | Estimated late 70s–80s |
| Marriages | Carole King (1970–1976) |
| Children | Molly Larkey, Levi Larkey |
| Parents | Not publicly documented |
| Notable Collaborations | Carole King, Gerry Goffin (indirectly via King), The City, The Myddle Class |
| Famous Songs Played On | “Where You Lead,” “Beautiful,” and other early 1970s Carole King tracks |
| Current Status | Believed to live privately; exact status not confirmed |
| Legacy | Contribution to American rock and folk music; father of next-generation artists; part of Carole King’s early solo career |
Who Is Charles Larkey?
Charles Larkey is an American musician, best known as a bass guitarist whose work first gained notice in the 1960s and 1970s. He came of age during the vibrant rock era, where electric bass was becoming a defining element in pop, rock, and folk‑rock soundscapes.
Larkey’s earliest documented music work was as a member of The Myddle Class, a Bermingham Heights, New Jersey garage‑rock group that performed locally and even released several singles in the mid‑1960s. In that band, Larkey played bass guitar alongside Dave Palmer, Rick Philp, Danny Mansolino, and Michael Rosa — and this was where his musical skills began to solidify.
Though The Myddle Class never became a household name, their work has since been rediscovered and appreciated by music historians and garage‑rock enthusiasts.
The Bassist Who Shaped Sound
Charles Larkey’s bass playing was more than just rhythm section support: his contributions shaped the backbone of several recordings during the late ’60s and into the 1970s.
After his work with The Myddle Class, Larkey joined other musical projects and bands — including a period with The Fugs, an avant‑garde rock group known for its counter‑culture approach to music.
Eventually, he became a key part of Carole King’s backing band, where he played bass on several of her albums in the early 1970s. Larkey’s playing appears on albums such as King’s Tapestry, Wrap Around Joy, Fantasy, and Pearls: Songs of Goffin and King, among others. On tracks like “Beautiful”, his bass lines are a fundamental component of the song’s groove and texture.
Even though he never produced hit singles under his own name, Larkey’s work behind the scenes is inseparable from some of the era’s most iconic recordings.
Meeting Carole King: Music and Romance
One of the most pivotal chapters in Charles Larkey’s life was his relationship with Carole King, one of the most successful songwriters and singer‑musicians in American pop music history.
King (born Carol Joan Klein on February 9, 1942) started her music career in the 1950s and early 1960s writing hits with her first husband, lyricist Gerry Goffin. Together they penned classics such as “Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow”, “One Fine Day”, and “(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman” — songs which became staples for artists from Aretha Franklin to the Beatles.
After her split from Goffin, King moved to Los Angeles and formed a trio called The City, which included Larkey on bass and Danny Kortchmar on guitar. The trio released an album titled Now That Everything’s Been Said in 1968, though it was not a commercial hit.
It was through this collaboration that King and Larkey grew close. They married in 1970, at a time when King’s solo career was beginning to flourish and the release of Tapestry was imminent.
A Marriage of Music and Family
The marriage of Charles Larkey and Carole King was both a personal and musical partnership. The couple welcomed two children:
- Molly Larkey — born December 31, 1971, an American artist whose sculptural and abstract work has been shown in galleries including MoMA PS1.
- Levi Larkey — born April 23, 1974, who later worked in various aspects of film production.
King also brought into the marriage her two daughters from her first marriage — Louise Goffin and Sherry Goffin — both of whom have continued their family’s artistic legacy.
However, despite their shared passion for music and family life, Larkey and King ultimately divorced in 1976. Reports suggest that their different lifestyles — Larkey deeply immersed in the musician’s life and King embracing both creative work and domestic life — contributed to the split.
Life After the Spotlight
After his divorce from Carole King, Charles Larkey’s public presence faded somewhat from mainstream music reporting. However, sources from fan forums and music archives indicate that Larkey continued to play music and remained active as a bassist in various projects.
Years later, there are informal reports that Larkey was living in Austin, Texas, continuing to enjoy music outside major commercial circles. Neither his exact age nor an official obituary has been published, and credible insider discussions suggest that Larkey is still alive, actively involved in local music communities.
At the time of this writing, there is no confirmed public figure age listed on encyclopedic sources such as Wikipedia — but based on his era of activity, he would be likely in his late 70s to early 80s (born mid‑1940s).
The Broader Family and Influences
To paint a full picture, we can frame Charles Larkey’s story within the broader tapestry of Carole King’s life and family:
Gerry Goffin
King’s first husband and so
ngwriting partner. Together they wrote hundreds of hits that helped define music in the 1960s.
Rick Evers
King’s third husband, a guitarist and songwriting partner with whom she collaborated in the mid‑1970s; their marriage was brief, and Evers died of a drug overdose shortly after.
Rick Sorenson
Her fourth husband, an outsider who introduced King to rural life; they married in the early 1980s and divorced later that decade.
Sidney Klein & Eugenia Gingold (Cammer)
Carole King’s parents: Sidney was a fire lieutenant turned father figure, and Eugenia was a speech therapist and artist — both instrumental in nurturing King’s early love for music.
Louise & Sherry Goffin
King’s daughters from her first marriage — both continued to make music, with Louise achieving notable success in her own right.
Molly & Levi Larkey
Children of Larkey and King, both influential in creative fields — art for Molly and media/film work for Levi.
Discography & Songs Featuring Charles Larkey
While Charles Larkey did not release music under his own name, his contributions are heard throughout recordings that are significant in popular music history:
- Carole King’s Albums (1970s): including Tapestry, Wrap Around Joy, and Fantasy, where Larkey’s bass provides backbone to many tracks.
- The City’s Album: Now That Everything’s Been Said — an early collaboration with King and Danny Kortchmar before King’s solo breakthrough.
- Selected Tracks: “Beautiful”, “Smackwater Jack”, and other songs where his bass is a featured background instrument.
Though not the frontman, Larkey’s musicianship helped anchor some of the most enduring recordings of the singer‑songwriter era.
Legacy: Music and Family Intertwined
Charles Larkey may not have been a headline star, but his influence rippled through an important era of music. As a bass player, collaborator, family man, and part of Carole King’s life story, his contributions to American music deserve recognition.
Despite limited public documentation about his later years, informed accounts suggest that Larkey continued to enjoy music and remained personally connected to the world he once helped shape behind the scenes.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Who is Charles Larkey?
Charles Larkey was an American bassist and musician, best known for his work with Carole King, The Myddle Class, and the band The City. He contributed to several iconic recordings in the 1960s and 1970s.
2. Was Charles Larkey married to Carole King?
Yes, Charles Larkey married Carole King in 1970, and they were together until 1976. They had two children together, Molly and Levi Larkey.
3. Is Charles Larkey still alive?
There is no official public record of Charles Larkey’s death. Some sources suggest he is living a private life in Texas, but his current status is not definitively confirmed.
4. What songs did Charles Larkey play on?
Larkey played bass on several of Carole King’s early 1970s albums, including tracks like “Where You Lead” and “Beautiful.” He also contributed to recordings by The City and other bands he performed with.
5. Who are Charles Larkey’s children?
Charles Larkey and Carole King have two children: Molly Larkey, an accomplished visual artist, and Levi Larkey, who has worked in the entertainment industry.
Conclusion
Charles Larkey may not be a household name, but his influence on American music is undeniable. As a talented bassist, he provided the steady rhythm behind some of Carole King’s most iconic works and contributed to the vibrant 1960s and 1970s music scene through bands like The Myddle Class and The City. Beyond his musical career, his life intertwined with some of the era’s most notable figures, including Carole King, Gerry Goffin, Rick Evers, and Rick Sorenson, and he helped shape a creative family legacy through his children Molly and Levi Larkey. Though much of his life has remained private, Charles Larkey’s story is a testament to the essential role of dedicated musicians who work behind the scenes, leaving a lasting mark on music history.
This article was created for Nex Spire — your go‑to source for deep dives into music history and remarkable people behind the scenes.
