Rick Evers: The Man Behind the Mystery — A Deep Dive into His Life, Tragedy, and Connections
Introduction
When the name Rick Evers is mentioned, it evokes images of music, love, turmoil, and ultimately a tragic ending. Though not a household name on his own, Rick Evers became widely known through his marriage to one of the most iconic singer-songwriters in American music history: Carole King. His life intersects with influential figures, complicated relationships, and a story that has been recounted in music history and celebrity retrospectives.
This article explores not only Rick Evers himself but also the wider context of his relationships and the people connected to his story, especially within the world around Carole King — from her groundbreaking career to her other marriages and family. We’ll also address the often-confused Dutch journalist Rick Evers (Rick Evers schrijver) and provide clarity to help separate myth from documented fact.
Rick Evers Biography Table
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Richard Edward Morrison Evers |
| Known As | Rick Evers |
| Date of Birth | January 6, 1947 |
| Place of Birth | Preston, Idaho, United States |
| Date of Death | March 1978 |
| Age at Death | 31 years |
| Nationality | American |
| Profession | Songwriter, Guitarist |
| Famous For | Marriage to Carole King |
| Spouse | Carole King (m. 1977–1978) |
| Marital Status | Married (deceased) |
| Children | None |
| Cause of Death | Drug overdose (reported cocaine-related) |
| Years Active | 1970s (limited public career) |
| Associated With | Carole King |
| Other Notable Connections | Gerry Goffin, Charles Larkey, Rick Sorenson |
| Residence (during marriage) | Idaho, USA |
| Notable Facts | Known for turbulent and short-lived marriage with Carole King |
| Wikipedia Page | No dedicated page (mentioned in Carole King’s biography) |
Who is Rick Evers?
Rick Evers, born Richard Edward Morrison Evers on January 6, 1947, in Preston, Franklin County, Idaho, USA, was a songwriter and guitarist who rose into the public eye largely due to his association with Carole King.
Evers’s early life before fame included a largely private upbringing, and reports suggest that he had some brushes with legal troubles, including time in jail for an alleged forgery charge — details that give hints at a tumultuous youth.
While not a major chart-topping musician himself, Evers did venture into songwriting and worked with King on some projects during their time together. However, his role in music history remains secondary to the more powerful narrative driven by King’s incredible legacy.
Carole King: A Musical Icon
Before we go deeper into Rick Evers’s life, it’s important to understand the world he entered — especially the extraordinary life of Carole King, whose name towers in 20th-century music history.
Early Life and Rise to Fame
Born Carol Joan Klein on February 9, 1942, in Manhattan, New York City, Carole King grew up in a musical environment. She began playing piano at a very young age and soon found her talents extended into composition and performance.
King’s parents — Sidney Klein (a fire lieutenant) and Eugenia Gingold (a speech therapist) — supported her interests from the start.
Her early career began in songwriting partnerships. King’s collaboration with Gerry Goffin produced numerous classic hits in the 1960s, including:
- “Will You Love Me Tomorrow”
- “The Loco-Motion”
- “Up on the Roof”
- “(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman”
King’s later solo career included her monumental 1971 album Tapestry, which remains one of the most celebrated albums in American music history.
Carole King’s Marriages: The Men in Her Life
Carole King has been married four times, with each relationship leaving a notable imprint on her life story.
Gerry Goffin: First Husband and Songwriting Partner
Gerry Goffin was Carole King’s first husband. They married in 1959 when King was just a teenager. This partnership wasn’t just romantic — it was creative and incredibly successful.
Together, King and Goffin wrote many of the early pop hits of the 1960s. He was the lyricist to her melodies, and the duo became hugely influential figures in the Brill Building era of songwriting.
The couple had two daughters:
- Louise Goffin
- Sherry Goffin (later Sherry Goffin Kondor)
Their marriage ended in divorce in 1968, but both continued their careers separately.
Charles Larkey: Second Husband and Supportive Ally
King’s second marriage was to Charles Larkey, a bassist and fellow musician. They married in 1970.
Larkey played on some of King’s recordings and shared family life with her. Together they had two children:
- Molly Larkey
- Levi Larkey
Their marriage ended in divorce in 1976, just before King met Rick Evers.
Rick Evers: Third Husband — A Troubled Union
Rick Evers entered Carole King’s life at a time when she had already experienced success and fame. They married on August 24, 1977, after King had moved to Idaho.
Unfortunately, their marriage quickly became strained by personal and emotional challenges. In her memoir, King recounts that Evers was physically abusive, showing a pattern of domestic violence during their short time together.
Tragically, Evers died in March 1978 — less than a year after their marriage — from a cocaine overdose, occurring just days after they separated.
His death at age 31 was a shocking end to a tumultuous chapter in King’s life and remains a defining part of how he is remembered in music history.
Rick Sorenson: Fourth Husband
Carole King’s fourth marriage was to Rick Sorenson, sometimes spelled Sorensen, whom she married in 1982.
Unlike her third marriage, this one was described as more stable but, like her previous relationships, ultimately ended in divorce in 1989.
Carole King’s Children: Carrying the Legacy
Carole King’s children have followed in her artistic footsteps — each carving out their own path, but many remaining closely tied to music and creative arts.
Louise Goffin
Louise Goffin, born in 1960, is Carole King’s eldest daughter. She is an accomplished singer-songwriter and music producer with several albums to her name.
Her work blends pop, rock, and folk influences, and she has continued to bring her own voice to the music world.
Sherry Goffin
Sherry Goffin (Kondor), born in the early 1960s, is also creatively inclined, working in songwriting and entertainment.
She has had a career influenced by her musical heritage, maintaining a presence in arts and entertainment.
Molly and Levi Larkey
From King’s marriage to Charles Larkey, Molly Larkey and Levi Larkey have also pursued artistic endeavors:
- Molly: Visual artist
- Levi: Musician
Rick Evers Wikipedia: What Exists and What Doesn’t
Despite his involvement with a major music figure, Rick Evers does not currently have a dedicated English Wikipedia page like Carole King does. However, he is mentioned within Carole King’s biography pages and music histories because of his relationship with her.
Rick Evers Cause of Death: What Really Happened
The most definitive record of Rick Evers’s demise is that he died in March 1978 at age 31 from a cocaine overdose. This was just days after he and Carole King ended their marriage.
His death bears the tragic mark of addiction — a fate not uncommon in the music and entertainment world of the 1970s — but one that stood in harsh contrast to King’s enduring creative success.
Rick Evers Schrijver and Royal TV – The Dutch Connection
Interestingly, there is another individual named Rick Evers — this one a Dutch journalist born in 1987, known for covering European royalty and royal affairs.
This Rick Evers is entirely unrelated to Carole King’s late husband. He works primarily in journalism and is sometimes associated with Royal TV and related media outlets that cover royal families, events, and news.
This sometimes leads to confusion when people search for “Rick Evers,” but it’s crucial to distinguish these two men:
- Rick Evers (1947–1978) — musician, Carole King’s husband
- Rick Evers (born 1987) — Dutch journalist & Rick Evers schrijver
People Connected to this Narrative
To fully understand the context around Rick Evers and Carole King, here’s a look at the other key figures in their shared history:
- Sidney Klein: Carole King’s father, a New York City fire lieutenant.
- Eugenia Gingold: Carole King’s mother, a speech therapist.
- Gerry Goffin: King’s first husband, legendary lyricist.
- Charles Larkey: King’s second husband, bassist and collaborative musician.
- Rick Sorenson: King’s fourth husband.
- Louise Goffin, Sherry Goffin, Molly Larkey, Levi Larkey: King’s children — all artists in their own rights.
- Rick Evers (Dutch journalist): Unrelated but name-shared individual.
FAQs About Rick Evers
1. Who was Rick Evers?
Rick Evers was an American songwriter and guitarist best known as the third husband of Carole King. He gained public attention due to his brief and troubled marriage to the legendary musician.
2. What was the cause of Rick Evers’ death?
Rick Evers died in March 1978 at the age of 31 due to a drug overdose, widely reported as involving cocaine. His death occurred shortly after separating from Carole King.
3. Did Rick Evers have a Wikipedia page?
Rick Evers does not have a dedicated Wikipedia page. However, he is mentioned in the biography of Carole King due to his marriage to her.
4. Is Rick Evers the same person as the Dutch journalist Rick Evers?
No, they are two different individuals. Rick Evers (1947–1978) was a musician and Carole King’s husband, while Rick Evers is a modern Dutch journalist known for royal coverage and media appearances.
5. Who were Carole King’s other husbands besides Rick Evers?
Besides Rick Evers, Carole King was married to Gerry Goffin, Charles Larkey, and Rick Sorenson.
Conclusion: The Shadow and the Spotlight
Rick Evers is a figure whose life is often overshadowed by the brilliance of Carole King’s accomplishments. His story, marked by brief creative collaboration, personal struggle, domestic turmoil, and a tragic overdose, reflects the complexities that often lie behind public figures’ private lives.
While he did not leave a large musical legacy, his place in Carole King’s life — for better or worse — remains part of the narrative that shaped one of the 20th century’s biggest music icons. And although another Rick Evers exists in the Netherlands as a journalist, it’s important to draw clear lines between these lives to avoid confusion.
This article was created for Nex Spire — your go‑to source for deep dives into music history and remarkable people behind the scenes.
