Have you heard the name Charles Larkey before? Many people know him as Carole King’s ex-husband. But Charles has his own story too. He was a musician and played bass for several music groups.
Carole King became a very famous singer and songwriter. Charles did not choose the same path. He loved music but did not want a lot of fame. He was happy working with other musicians.
Today we will learn about Charles Larkey. We will look at his early life and music career. We will also learn about his bands and how he met Carole King.
Who Is Charles Larkey?
Charles Larkey is an American musician. He is best known as the second husband of Carole King. He also became known for his work as a bass player.
Charles worked in music during the 1960s and 1970s. He played with several groups. He spent much of his career helping create music instead of trying to become the main star.
This makes Charles Larkey interesting. He was close to famous people but did not chase fame himself. Music seemed to matter more to him than being known by everyone.
Charles Larkey’s Early Life
Charles Larkey grew up in New Jersey. Not much is publicly known about his childhood. He has kept many parts of his personal life away from the public.
Charles went to Governor Livingston High School. Music became important to him when he was young. He learned how to play bass and spent time getting better at it.
His father owned a store called Larkey’s in Newark. Charles sometimes wore clothes linked to the family store while performing. His clothes helped him stand out when he played on stage.
How Charles Larkey Started His Music Career
Charles started playing music when he was young. At first he was still learning. Like any new musician he needed time and practice to become better.
The 1960s were an exciting time for music. Rock music was growing fast. Young musicians were trying new sounds. Charles became part of this busy music world.
Charles did not become famous overnight. He played with other musicians and slowly gained more skill. These early years helped prepare him for bigger music projects later.
Charles Larkey and The Myddle Class
One of Charles Larkey’s early bands was The Myddle Class. It was a rock group from New Jersey. Joining this band was an important step in his young career.
Chris Irby had played bass for the group before Charles. After Chris left the band Charles got the chance to join. Drummer Mike Rosa knew Charles from school and helped connect him with the group.
Charles played bass for The Myddle Class. The band gave him useful experience. It also helped him meet more people in music and opened the door to other work.
Charles Larkey’s Time With The Fugs
Charles Larkey later became part of The Fugs. He joined the group in the 1960s and played bass. The band was known for having a very different sound.
Working with The Fugs gave Charles another chance to grow. He played with skilled musicians and took part in live shows. He also traveled with the band.
Charles joined The Fugs on a tour in Scandinavia. He later left the group and moved toward other music work. His next steps would bring him even closer to Carole King.
Charles Larkey and The City
A very important part of Charles Larkey’s story came when he joined The City. The group included Charles with Carole King and guitarist Danny Kortchmar.
Carole played piano and sang. Danny played guitar and also sang. Charles played bass. Together they made the album Now That Everything’s Been Said which came out in 1968.
The album was not a huge hit at first. The City also did not stay together for long. Still this group was very important because Charles and Carole became much closer during this time.
How Charles Larkey Met Carole King
Charles Larkey first knew Carole King through music. At the time Carole was still married to songwriter Gerry Goffin. Charles became part of the music world around them.
Charles and Carole shared the same love for music. They spent time working with musicians and making songs. This helped them become friends before their relationship changed.
After Carole’s marriage to Gerry ended Charles and Carole became closer. Their love of music was a big part of their bond. Soon their friendship grew into something more.
Charles Larkey and Carole King’s Marriage
Charles Larkey and Carole King got married in 1970. By then they already knew each other well through music. They were not only husband and wife. Music was also a big part of their life together.
This was a very important time for Carole. Her solo career was starting to grow. Charles was there during these busy years. He also played bass on some of her music and knew the world she worked in.
At home they were building a family too. For some time their marriage worked well. They loved each other and enjoyed making music. Still their lives slowly started to move in different ways.
Why Charles Larkey and Carole King Divorced
Charles Larkey loved being a working musician. Playing with bands was a big part of his life. Music could mean long days away from home and lots of time spent with other musicians.
Carole wanted something different. She enjoyed music too but also wanted a calm home life. Over time this difference became harder for the couple. Their daily lives did not fit together as well as before.
Charles and Carole divorced in 1976 after about six years of marriage. Their split was not known for a big public fight. Their different ways of living played a major part in why the marriage ended.
Charles Larkey’s Children and Family Life
Charles Larkey and Carole King had two children together. Their children are Molly Larkey and Levi Larkey. Both grew up in a family where music and art were a normal part of daily life.
Molly followed a creative path. They became an artist and writer. Their work has appeared in art shows and galleries. Molly has kept much of their personal life private despite having a very famous mother.
Levi also chose a quiet life. He has some work linked with film and sound. Like Charles he did not build his life around fame. Both children show how creativity can take many different forms.
Charles Larkey’s Work With Other Artists
Charles Larkey did more than play with The City. His music career took him into different bands and projects. He became known as a bass player who could work well with other musicians.
His music credits have also been linked with artists and projects involving names such as Paul Williams and Peter Allen. Charles also played bass on music connected with Carole King during her career.
This part of his story is easy to miss. Charles was never the person standing at the front of the stage. Yet a bass player can be very important. The bass helps hold a song together and gives it a strong beat.
Charles Larkey’s Life After Carole King
After the divorce Charles Larkey became much less visible to the public. Carole King stayed famous and continued her long music career. Charles took a much quieter path.
He did not spend years talking about his famous marriage. He also did not become a regular face on TV or in celebrity news. Instead he kept most of his later life private.
That choice tells us something important about Charles. Being close to a famous person does not mean someone wants fame too. Charles seemed happy to let his music speak for him.
Where Is Charles Larkey Today?
People still search for Charles Larkey in 2026. They often want to know where he lives and what he is doing now. Sadly there are very few clear public updates about his current life.
Some online reports have linked Charles with Austin Texas. However this detail should be treated with care because strong public proof about his current home is limited. Charles has kept his private life very well protected.
There is also little trusted public news about his current work. This is not strange for someone who has stayed away from fame for so long. What we do know comes mainly from his older music work and family story.
Charles Larkey’s Music Legacy
Charles Larkey may never have become a huge star but his music story still matters. He played during an exciting time when American rock and pop music were changing fast.
His work with The Myddle Class and The Fugs gave him an interesting place in the 1960s music world. His later work with The City connected him with Carole King and Danny Kortchmar.
Most of all Charles shows that a musician does not need to be famous to have value. Many great songs need people working quietly in the background. Charles built much of his career in that kind of role.
Final Thoughts
So why do people still want to know about Charles Larkey? His marriage to Carole King is clearly one reason. She became one of the best-known singers and songwriters of her time.
But there is another reason. Charles has a story of his own. He played bass and worked with several music groups. He was part of The City before Carole became an even bigger solo star.
His private nature also creates interest. Today many people share almost everything online. Charles comes from a very different world. He kept much of his personal story away from public view.
(FAQs)
What is Charles Larkey’s age and birthday?
Charles Larkey’s exact birthday and age are not known. He keeps his personal life private.
Does Charles Larkey live in Austin, Texas?
Some reports say Charles Larkey lives in Austin, Texas. However, this has not been officially confirmed.
Was Charles Larkey a bass player?
Yes, Charles Larkey was a bass player. He played with bands like The City and The Fugs.
What is Charles Larkey doing today?
Charles Larkey lives a quiet private life. He stays away from the public eye.
What songs did Charles Larkey play on?
Charles Larkey did not make many solo songs. He is known for playing bass on music projects with other artists.
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