Carole King on life's tapestry
Carole King
American singer-songwriter Carole King is touring Australia for the first time in her 45-year career.
She's famous for her 1971 album Tapestry, which sold 22 million copies, but King is also the songwriter behind scores of hits for artists ranging from the Beatles to Kylie Minogue.
The 7.30 Report's Kerry O'Brien scored a rare interview with King, and she told him Tapestry changed her life - by giving her financial independence and much more.
"In a less immediate but ongoing way, which sort of led to my environmental activism, it opens doors and people who would normally not listen to the average person walking in with something to say, I got the door open. Then, of course, I always had to have something to say, and I did."
She says her greatest achievements include having a 'normal life', great experiences and a strong and close family - as well as connecting with people through her music:
"To have made a difference in small ways and large ways in people's lives. So many people come to me and say, "Oh, we conceived our child to 'Natural Woman'" or "'You've got a Friend' is so meaningful", or "We got divorced to 'It's Too Late' and it gave me comfort." That's meaningful to me."
If you missed last night's interview on ABC TV, you can watch it online or read the transcript here.