The term singer/songwriter is applied most often to a group of musicians who emerged in the 1960s who wrote and performed their own songs (often alone) using instruments such as the acoustic guitar or piano. All of these singer-songwriters owed a great debt to Bob Dylan, however; where his songs often focused on themes of social consciousness, the singer/songwriters of the 1960s and 1970s wrote songs that were more personal and introspective. These musicians were sometimes backed up by groups but their identity was not connected to a band but rather developed as a solo entity. Three individuals stand out in this genre; Carole King, Joni Mitchell, and James Taylor.

Carole King (b.1940) King first achieved success as one of the songwriters at the Brill Building in New York where she co-wrote such hits as “Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow” (recorded by the Shirelles) and “Up on the Roof” (recorded by the Drifters). In 1971, she released her own album, Tapestry, which sold more than 15 million copies making it the biggest selling album at the time. It contained the hit singles “I Feel the Earth Move” and “It’s Too Late” as well as her own version of “(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman” which was a huge hit for Aretha Franklin. King was from Brooklyn and as a youth there met fellow songwriters Neil Sedaka and Paul Simon. She married Jerry Goffen and co-wrote many songs with him before divorcing and relocating to California in the late 1960s. There she befriended James Taylor (his version of her song, “You’ve Got a Friend” was Taylor’s only #1 single) and played piano on his debut album. For the last twenty years King has maintained a home in central Idaho.

Joni Mitchell (b.1943) Mitchell (pictured above) was born in rural Alberta and moved to Calgary to attend Art School in the early 1960s. She wrote her first song in 1964 while traveling to a festival in Toronto. She remained there, married another singer (Chuck Mitchell) and left the Toronto scene for Detroit where she continued her career but not her marriage. She left Detroit for New York where she managed her own bookings until she was picked up by Reprise Records. Here first three albums were modest successes and she made contacts with several prominent musicians including David Crosby, Stephen Stills, and Graham Nash. Her third album, Ladies of the Canyon, included her song “Woodstock,” later recorded by Crosby, Stills, and Nash. Her first major success was the album Blue (1971). Also performing on the album was James Taylor. The disc featured very intelligent lyrics as well as distinctive guitar and keyboard work from Mitchell. Since Blue, Mitchell has branched out musically releasing albums with strong jazz influences (including a collaboration with jazz bassist Charles Mingus) but still retaining her highly personal lyrical style.

James Taylor (b.1948) Taylor was born in Boston and grew up in an upper middle class environment. His early adulthood was troubled by severe depression and also heroin addiction but in spite of these obstacles his musical career developed to the point that he was regularly writing songs by the late 1960s and had acquired a contract with Rainy Day Records. After relocating to London in 1968 Taylor signed with Apple Records and released his debut album, James Taylor. Still struggling with addiction Taylor returned to the states and more rehabilitation efforts. At the same time he signed with Warner Brothers and in 1970 released Sweet Baby James, a highly successful album produced with help from Carole King (on keyboard), and the Eagles’ Randy Meisner. The album included the intensely personal “Fire and Rain,” recently named to the National Public Radio’s list of 100 most important American musical compositions of the 20^th century. Taylor has had a very prolific career since and remains active today.