Gerry Goffin, the Brill Building songwriter who, along with co-writer Carole King, wrote some of the most lasting music in history, died yesterday at his home in Los Angeles. He was 75 years old.

Born in Brooklyn, Goffin served in the Navy and was studying to become a chemist before he met Carole King. The two married in 1959, and they began writing songs together. Their first hit came in 1961, when they penned “Will You Love Me Tomorrow” for The Shirelles. The hits kept coming for the two, as they penned “Some Kind Of Wonderful” for Bobby Vee, “One Fine Day” for The Chiffons, “(You Make Me Feel Lie A) Natural Woman” for Aretha Franklin, and “Pleasant Valley Sunday” for The Monkees, among others. Goffin and King divorced in 1968.

After his split with King, Goffin continued to write songs, penning hits for the likes of Whitney Houston and Gladys Knight, among others. He could also claim to have discovered Kelly Clarkson; he offered to demo some of her work before she auditioned for American Idol.

Goffin is survived by his wife, Michelle, and their five children.