Charles Larkey is an American musician and bassist known for his work with The Fugs and The City. He also played on recordings connected with singer-songwriter Carole King, whom he married in 1970. Charles and Carole had two children, Molly and Levi Larkey, before divorcing in 1976.
Quick Facts
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full name | Charles Larkey |
| Also credited as | Charlie Larkey |
| Date of birth | Not publicly confirmed |
| Age | Not reliably known |
| Birthplace | Not publicly confirmed |
| Nationality | American |
| Profession | Musician, bassist |
| Main instrument | Bass |
| Known bands | The Fugs, The City |
| Former wife | Carole King |
| Marriage | 1970–1976 |
| Children | Molly Larkey, Levi Larkey |
| Net worth | Not reliably known |
| Current activities | Not widely documented |
Charles Larkey’s Early Life
Very little reliable information is publicly available about Charles Larkey’s early life.
His date of birth and birthplace have not been clearly documented in the information available. Because his birth date is unknown, his current age should not be estimated.
The names of his parents and siblings are also not publicly established.
Charles Larkey’s Education
Charles’s educational background is not widely documented.
There is no reliable information about the schools or colleges he attended or whether he received formal training in music.
Charles Larkey’s Music Career
Charles built his professional career as a musician, mainly playing bass.
His music credits have also reportedly included electric bass, acoustic bass, string bass, composition, production, and work as a group member.
His career connects him with several parts of the American music scene of the 1960s and 1970s.
He is particularly known for his work with The Fugs and The City. He also contributed to recordings connected with Carole King’s solo career.
Charles Larkey and The Fugs
Charles was associated with The Fugs, a group that came from the New York underground music scene.
The band’s music combined elements of rock, folk, poetry, satire, and protest.
Charles played bass with the group.
He is sometimes listed in music credits as Charlie Larkey.
One source says fellow musician Danny Kortchmar left The Fugs before Charles. Charles reportedly remained until after the band completed a Scandinavian spring tour.
Charles Larkey’s Recordings With The Fugs
Charles is connected with recording sessions for The Fugs Second Album, which reportedly took place during 1966 and 1967.
His name has also been associated with Fugs releases including:
- Tenderness Junction
- It Crawled into My Hand, Honest
- Golden Filth
- The Belle of Avenue A
These credits form an important part of his early professional music career.
Charles Larkey and The City
After his work with The Fugs, Charles became involved in a new group called The City.
The main members were:
- Carole King — piano and vocals
- Danny Kortchmar — guitar and vocals
- Charles Larkey — bass
Drummer Jim Gordon also played on the group’s recordings.
According to one account, Carole was initially hesitant about joining another band because she did not want to spend much of her time performing live.
Charles reportedly suggested that the group could focus mainly on recording.
Now That Everything’s Been Said
The City released its album Now That Everything’s Been Said in 1968.
Charles played bass on the record.
The City did not become a long-running group and released only one main studio album.
The album remains an important part of Charles’s known discography and also represents an early stage in Carole King’s development as a recording artist.
Charles Larkey’s Work With Carole King
Charles and Carole continued working together musically.
The available information connects him with bass work on Carole King’s album Writer, released in 1970.
He is also linked with her 1971 album Music.
Charles’s recording career has also been associated with other artists, including Paul Williams, Jo Mama, Jimmie Spheeris, Peter Keane, and Mark Viator.
The size and nature of his role differed between individual recordings.
How Did Charles Larkey Meet Carole King?
Charles knew Carole before they became romantically involved.
He reportedly played bass in a musical group connected with Carole and her first husband, Gerry Goffin.
Goffin and King were a successful songwriting team as well as a married couple.
After Carole and Gerry separated, Charles and Carole began living together.
Their relationship therefore developed alongside their professional work in music.
Who Is Carole King?
Carole King is an American singer-songwriter, pianist, and composer.
Early in her career, she became known for writing songs with her first husband, Gerry Goffin.
She later built a successful solo career.
Her best-known recordings include the album Tapestry and songs such as It’s Too Late, I Feel the Earth Move, and You’ve Got a Friend.
Charles Larkey was Carole King’s second husband.
Charles Larkey and Carole King’s Marriage
Charles and Carole married in 1970.
Their relationship involved both music and family life.
Carole later said they enjoyed making music together and described the marriage as good during its earlier period.
However, their lifestyles gradually became less compatible.
The marriage ended in 1976.
Why Did Charles Larkey and Carole King Divorce?
Carole has publicly discussed the reasons their marriage ended.
According to her account, Charles was deeply involved in performing and playing with bands. His work sometimes required him to be away for extended periods.
Carole said that lifestyle was not right for her. She was more interested in a home-centered life at the time.
Although they shared a love of music, their different lifestyles contributed to their separation.
This explanation comes from Carole’s account of the relationship.
Charles and Carole’s Public Appearances
Charles sometimes appeared publicly with Carole during their marriage.
One documented appearance took place on March 22, 1974, when the couple attended the American debut of The Rocky Horror Show in Los Angeles, California.
They were photographed together at the event.
Charles Larkey’s Children
Charles and Carole King have two children together:
Molly Larkey, born in 1970, and Levi Larkey, born in 1974.
Both have lived much less publicly than their mother.
Who Is Molly Larkey?
Molly Larkey is Charles and Carole’s daughter.
Molly uses they/them pronouns and has built a career in the arts.
They have described themselves professionally as an artist, writer, and organizer.
Molly’s creative work reportedly includes painting, sculpture, drawing, installation, and social projects.
Their work has also appeared in exhibitions and galleries.
Who Is Levi Larkey?
Levi Larkey is Charles and Carole’s son.
He was born in 1974 and has maintained a relatively private life.
Levi has a small number of entertainment-related credits.
He reportedly worked in the sound department as a boom operator on the 2007 film 44.
He has also been credited as a soundtrack performer for The Care Bears Movie from 1985.
There is limited public information about his current career.
Carole King’s Life After Their Divorce
Carole later remarried after her divorce from Charles.
She married Rick Evers in 1977. Their marriage ended when Evers died in 1978.
She later married Rick Sorenson in 1982. That marriage ended in 1989.
Charles was the second of Carole King’s four husbands.
Did Charles Larkey Remarry?
The available information does not clearly establish whether Charles remarried after his divorce from Carole King.
There is also little reliable public information about his later relationships.
It is better not to speculate about his private life.
Charles Larkey’s Net Worth
Charles Larkey’s personal net worth is not reliably known.
There are no confirmed public figures showing his earnings from recording work, performances, royalties, or other sources.
Any unsupported online estimate should therefore be treated cautiously.
Charles Larkey’s Social Media
There is no clearly verified major social media account belonging to Charles in the information reviewed.
No confirmed Instagram, Facebook, or X account has been identified.
Where Is Charles Larkey Now?
Charles has kept a low public profile in more recent years.
There is little reliable information about his current residence or daily activities.
It is also unclear whether he continues to perform or record music.
His recent life should therefore be described as private rather than filling the gaps with unconfirmed information.
Interesting Facts
- Charles Larkey is an American musician and bassist.
- He is sometimes credited as Charlie Larkey.
- His exact date of birth and age are not publicly confirmed.
- He played bass with The Fugs.
- His work with The Fugs dates back to the 1960s.
- He later became a member of The City.
- The City included Carole King and Danny Kortchmar.
- Jim Gordon played drums on the group’s recordings.
- The City released Now That Everything’s Been Said in 1968.
- Charles played bass on the album.
- He later worked on recordings connected with Carole King’s solo career.
- Charles and Carole King worked together before becoming a couple.
- They married in 1970.
- Their marriage ended in 1976.
- They have two children, Molly and Levi Larkey.
- Molly became an artist, writer, and organizer.
- Levi has a small number of film and soundtrack credits.
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