Carole King to perform Tapestry in full for first time at Hyde Park

The breakthrough record sold 25m worldwide, topped the US charts for 15 weeks, and made King an unlikely global star

Carole King performing at a pre-Grammy gala in 2015 (Getty)

Its confessional songs defined an era and made Carole King an unlikely global star. Now the singer-songwriter is to perform her classic album Tapestry in its entirety for the first time when she headlines a Hyde Park concert this Summer.

A writer of girl group hits in the 1960s, King was a divorced mother of two young daughters, who lacked the confidence to sing her own songs in front of an audience, when she moved to California and began work on Tapestry.

Released in 1971, soul-baring songs like "I Feel The Earth Move", "It’s Too Late" and "(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman" connected with listeners, entranced by King’s intimate, unaffected vocal delivery.

A breakthrough for female artists, the album sold 25m copies worldwide and topped the US charts for 15 consecutive weeks. The story of King’s transition from Brill Building backroom songwriter with low self-esteem to solo star was turned into the hit stage musical, Beautiful.

Overcoming her nerves, King will play Tapestry in full for the first time, with her live band, in front of 60,000 fans at the Barclaycard presents British Summer Time concert in Hyde Park on Sunday, July 3.

“I want to begin by thanking Londoners for making Beautiful: The Carole King Musical so successful,” Ms King, 74, said. “And now I’m coming to London and can’t wait to perform Tapestry from beginning to end for the first time ever. How perfect to be doing that in the heart of one of my favourite cities.”

Buy tickets for Carole King at British Summer Time Festival

Ms King, whose songs have been recorded by more than 1000 artists, will be joined at the show by Don Henley of The Eagles and Louise Goffin, singer-songwriter daughter from her marriage to songwriting partner, Gerry Goffin. The show will feature Goffin & King classics including "Will You Love Me Tomorrow", originally recorded by The Shirelles and Up On The Roof (The Drifters).

Ms King added: “I know I’m not alone in considering Don Henley one of the greatest songwriters of our time. I’m looking forward to hearing classic Eagles songs and other hits from Don and his band. And, as a lifelong fan of Louise Goffin I can only say that there’s nowhere else I’d rather be on 3 July 2016 than Hyde Park in the great city of London.”

Alun Mainwaring, Head of Events at The Royal Parks, said: “We are very excited to welcome Carole King to Hyde Park for her first ever performance of Tapestry. The success of this event is so important to us as it raises vital funds which go back into conserving and enhancing this iconic park for all to enjoy.”