President Barack Obama called Carole King a “living legend” last night at the White House, as she became the first woman ever to be honored with the Gershwin Prize for Popular Song.
“It is yet another of the many important messages to young women that women matter, women make a difference,” King told the Associated Press. “That popular music is recognized by the Library of Congress as being worthy of a place in history is especially significant to me.”
Previous recipients of the award, given annually by the Library of Congress, include Paul McCartney, Stevie Wonder, and Paul Simon.
King’s classics include “(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman”, which reached number 8 on the Billboard Hot 100 when Aretha Franklin released it in 1967, and “You’ve Got a Friend”, a #1 single on the Billboard Hot 100 when James Taylor released it in 1971.
