Roger Nichols (1940-2025)

Roger Nichols, a sunshine-pop songwriter whose late 1960s and 1970s melodies were among the richest and catchiest of the genre, particularly when teamed with lyricist Paul Williams and groups such as the Carpenters and Three Dog Night, died May 17. He was 84. [Photo above of Roger Nichols, left, with Paul Williams] 

Nichols, a multi-instrumentalist who played piano, guitar and bass, also wrote with lyricists Tony Asher and Bill Lane, and was noted for his debut album Roger Nichols and the Small Circle of Friends (A&M Records, 1968), which was produced by Tommy LiPuma.

The best way to showcase Nichols's gifts is to hear them. Here are a bunch of favorites:

Williams-Nichols's We've Only Just Begun began as a commercial theme for the Crocker National Bank in early 1970. Here's the ad... 

Here's the Carpenters hit in late 1970...

Here's Tori Holub, an exceptional singer who comes very close to sounding like Karen Carpenter on lead and background...

Here's Richard Carpenter and his new arrangement with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Karen's vocal track and choir...

Here's Williams-Nichols's I Won't Last a Day Without You...

Here's Williams-Nichols's Rainy Days and Mondays...

Want to sing background? Here's an a cappella track with just Karen's lead vocal and bass and drums...

Here's Williams-Nichols's Let Me Be the One, a Carpenters hit in 1971...

Here's Williams-Nichols's Now for the Carpenters in 1983. It was recorded by Karen in April 1982, her last studio session before her death in February 1983... 

Here's Lane-Nichols's Out in the Country, a hit for Three Dog Night in 1970...

Here's Nichols & The Small Circle of Friends singing Nichols's Love So Fine in 1968...

And here's Williams-Nichols's song The Drifter in 1970...

JazzWax notes: To read my House Call interview with Richard Carpenter on growing up with his sister, Karen, go here.

To read my interview with Richard Carpenter on the writing of and the Carpenters' recording of Merry Christmas, Darling, go here.

To read my interview with drummer Hal Blaine on Karen Carpenter, go here.