The Carpenters legend Roger Nichols dies aged 84

Roger Nichols has sadly died at the age of 84 (Picture: AnythingGoes )

Roger Nichols, the composer behind some of Carpenters’ greatest hits, has died at the age of 84.

The songwriter was a composer and songwriter who was behind Carpenters’ biggest hits We’ve Only Just Begun and Rainy Days and Mondays, and was a frequent collaborator.

It was announced that he died on May 17, but the news was only just made public.

Paul Williams, his songwriting partner of many years, confirmed the news in a post.

‘The first song, Roger Nichols and I wrote was called ‘It’s hard to say goodbye…’ Sadly, we hit the nail on the head.

‘Roger Nichols passed away peacefully four days ago, at home with his beautiful family …his wife Terry and the daughters he was so proud of, Claire and Caitlin at his side. They were his dream come true. His greatest joy.’

The lengthy post went on to detail Nichols and Williams’ life together and how they first became collaborators, and memories of their lives together.

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‘Roger was my writing partner and my music school… a collaborator
for years and a friend for life. I was an out of work actor looking for a career in music when I was signed by A&M records publishing. They were looking for a lyricist for Roger Nichols. An industrial strength, lucky break that changed my life.

‘We wrote almost every day for several years. He was as disciplined as he was talented. I had the attention span of a sea otter… I was ready for a break after three hours and Roger would plunge ahead for another four or five. The words were born of the beauty in his completed melodies.
I wrote what I heard, note for note…word for word. The lyrics waiting in the emotion already in his music. He made it easy.

‘After many wonderful productive years, I wanted us to write songs for movies. He had another dream. He said I wanna go fishing … wanna go back to Montana. He smiled and said something about having a family and maybe making a home by a nice little river… it was clear that he was already gone. A few years ago, I visited him and met Terry and the girls at the house by the river …and I knew he found his dream.

He then shared a memory from later in Nichols’ life, discussing a time when he helped his friend to help him walk his daughter down the aisle.

‘One last story. Roger was really excited when his daughter Caitlin was getting married last September. He chuckled and asked, “can you picture me wheeling down the aisle in my wheelchair, holding my daughter’s hand?”

‘Of course, I said yes then …. and right now Roger, I can picture thousands of proud dads and their beautiful daughters that walked down the aisle to your gorgeous music or danced their father and daughter dance to We’ve only just begun… picture them standing and applauding what you brought to their lives and to mine. You brought love and beauty into this world, and we will never forget you.

‘In gratitude with much love… Paul.’

Williams shared the post with his followers (Picture: @paulielama2/instagram)

His daughter commented on the post with her own tribute: ‘What a dazzling, sparkling tribute ✨ As Roger’s daughter, this brings me so much happiness to read.

‘ He truly was gifted in writing music, and the harmonic convergence of your lyrics created something priceless, timeless, and forever in both Roger’s and your legacy. I am inspired reading your first-hand memory of my dad’s call back to his roots in nature and to further expand his legacy of raising, supporting, and inspiring his family, and the communities he was connected with. Every person, hobby, and phase of life was matched with dedication, delight, and with lots of love.

‘He truly walked to beat of his own drum, and that’s something we can all look up to. RIP dad/Roger. ❤️????’

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