Roger Nichols, the composer behind some of the most enduring pop songs of the 1970s and a lifelong contributor to Santa Monica’s cultural legacy, died May 17 aged 84 at his home in Bend, Oregon. His family confirmed the cause was pneumonia.
Nichols rose to prominence as a songwriter for acts including the Carpenters, Three Dog Night and Paul Anka, working closely with lyricist Paul Williams to create a string of polished, heartfelt chart hits. Among the best known are “We’ve Only Just Begun,” “Rainy Days and Mondays” and “Out in the Country.”
Though born in Missoula, Montana in 1940, Nichols moved with his family to Santa Monica as a young child and remained closely connected to the city throughout his life. He graduated from Santa Monica High School in 1958, having distinguished himself both as a classical violinist and a standout athlete. Recruited to play basketball at UCLA under coach John Wooden, Nichols ultimately left college to pursue music full-time.
His early recording work with the group Roger Nichols & the Small Circle of Friends did not achieve commercial success, but would later gain cult recognition. The group’s self-titled 1968 album featured collaborations with future legends including Randy Newman and Van Dyke Parks and included several songs written with lyricist Tony Asher, a former Brian Wilson collaborator.
Nichols' greatest success came in partnership with Paul Williams. Together, they penned “We’ve Only Just Begun,” which was originally written for a bank commercial but later became a million-selling hit and a wedding standard. According to a 2020 interview Nichols gave to “The Paul Leslie Hour,” the song’s full version had already been completed when Richard Carpenter heard the commercial and contacted them about recording it.
The pair went on to write multiple hits for the Carpenters, including the aforementioned “Rainy Days and Mondays” and “I Won’t Last a Day Without You,” as well as tracks for artists such as Barbra Streisand and Art Garfunkel. Williams later pursued a solo career in film and television, while Nichols shifted toward composing music for television, including the popular series “Hart to Hart.”
In Santa Monica, Nichols’ connection to the city went beyond biography. In 1975, during the city’s centennial celebrations, he staged a two-night concert at the Santa Monica Civic Auditorium, writing and performing original music in honor of the occasion. A rare double LP of the event still circulates among collectors.
That same year, Nichols and his co-writer William Lane entered a song into the city's contest to select an official song for Santa Monica’s 100th birthday. Their submission, “Our Town by the Sea,” was a sentimental tribute to coastal life, filled with references to the pier, local parks and a lifelong connection to the Westside. Before the contest ended, the pair were offered $50,000 by Kodak to rewrite the song, which became “Times of Your Life,” later popularized by Paul Anka in one of Kodak’s most iconic advertising campaigns.
Though the city never formally adopted “Our Town by the Sea,” the song has lived on through recordings and local memory, with some residents informally referring to it as Santa Monica’s unofficial anthem.
Nichols is survived by his wife, Therese and daughters Caroline Nichols, Claire Schiemer and Caitlin Lula.
In a statement shared, Paul Williams remembered Nichols as “disciplined and deeply gifted” and said their partnership was one of musical instinct and mutual understanding. “I wrote what I heard, note for note, word for word. He made it easy.”
A resolution honoring Nichols' contributions to Santa Monica has been proposed for the City Council’s official record during its 150th anniversary year.