First Review Of Carole King Memoir "A Natural Woman" (Grand Central Publishing) Hails A "Refreshingly Candid...Warm, Winning Read" (Kirkus Reviews)

Published April 10 Via Grand Central
 
Carole King, one of the most successful and revered songwriters in history, will publish her first book, 'A Natural Woman,' April 10 via Grand Central Publishing. In this long-awaited memoir, which Kirkus Reviews (read full review below) raves is "refreshingly candid" and "a warm, winning read," King shares her incredible story from her beginnings in Brooklyn to her groundbreaking achievements as a songwriter with an indelible hit ("Will You Love Me Tomorrow") by age 18, as well as her first major performances with James Taylor and her long years of environmental and political activism. Here are just a few of the revealing stories and insights King shares in 'A Natural Woman': 

* The advice she got at age 15 from WINS DJ Alan Freed: "He told me to look in the phone book under 'Record Companies,' make an appointment, and play my songs for the A&R man." The very next day, King took the express subway train to Manhattan, walked into Atlantic Records' offices unannounced, and asked if she could play her songs for someone. Moments later, she was performing for Atlantic's legendary founders Ahmet Ertegun and Jerry Wexler. "You got talent," declared Wexler, while Ertegun chimed in "Yeah, man, very soulful." 

* Of the hundreds of King compositions to grace the charts, which recording truly floored her? "Hearing Aretha [Franklin's] performance of 'Natural Woman' for the first time, I experienced a rare speechless moment," King writes. "[It] touched me more than any recording of any song I had ever written." 

* King sang lead vocals in public for the first time in 1970, while on tour playing piano in James Taylor's band. Taylor surprised her with the request that she sing her song "Up on the Roof" only moments before show time. "Later that night, in one of those insightful moments that come just before we fall asleep," King writes, "I understood that rather than putting me on the spot, James had given me a priceless gift." 

* Carole left the hustle and bustle of Los Angeles in the late 70's for the rural lifestyle of Idaho. For several years, Carole and her family lived in a cabin so remote that in the winter their only communication with the world was via something they called "ski-mail." King explains "visitors on cross-country skis brought our mail, and we sent mail out with them or other skiers." 

To date, more than 400 Carole King compositions have been recorded by more than 1000 artists, resulting in 100 hit singles - many of them reaching #1. A member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, King was the first woman to win four GRAMMY® Awards in one year, and her landmark 1971 album 'Tapestry' received a Diamond Award from the RIAA for sales of more than 10 million units in the U.S., with more than 25 million units sold worldwide.
 
For more information about Carole King, please contact Matt Hanks (mhanks@shorefire.com) or Carrie Tolles (ctolles@shorefire.com) at Shore Fire Media: 718.522.7171. 

Jimmy Franco (jimmy.franco@hbgusa.com) at Grand Central Publishing, 212.364.1321.