Gerry Goffin, hit songwriter, dies

LOS ANGELES, June 19 (UPI) -- Gerry Goffin, the former husband of singer Carole King and writer of Saving All My Love For You, died Thursday, his publicity agency said. He was 75.

Goffin died of natural causes at his home, the agency said.

King described him as her first love.

"He had a profound impact on my life and the rest of the world. Gerry was a good man and a dynamic force, whose words and creative influence will resonate for generations to come," she said in a statement. "His words expressed what so many people were feeling but didn't know how to say. If you want to join his loved ones in honoring him, look at the names of the songwriters under the titles of songs."

His career spanned three decades and including hits like Saving All My Love For You, most famously performed by Whitney Houston, and Do You Know Where You're Going to performed by Diana Ross. Both songs were co-written by Michael Masser

He is survived by his wife, Michele, five children and six grandchildren.