Toni Kathrin Stern was a talented lyricist born on November 4, 1944. She grew up in California, the daughter of a traveling salesman, Harry Stern, and Audrey Stern, who managed an apartment block. Toni attended Hollywood High School and briefly studied at Los Angeles City College before pursuing painting in Paris.

Upon returning to Los Angeles, Stern began to transform her poetry into song lyrics. Her work caught the attention of Bert Schneider, who introduced her to Carole King. This collaboration led to the creation of "As We Go Along" for the Monkees' film "Head" in 1968. Stern's most notable contribution to music was her work on Carole King's landmark album "Tapestry," particularly the song "It's Too Late," which chronicled her breakup with singer-songwriter James Taylor. The song became a massive hit, spending five weeks at No. 1 in the US and winning a Grammy for Record of the Year.

Stern's partnership with King also produced songs like "Where You Lead" and several tracks on King's subsequent albums "Music" and "Rhymes & Reasons." Her lyrical work was characterized by its emotional depth and reflection of personal experiences, which resonated with listeners for decades.

Toni Stern passed away on January 17, 2024, at her home in Santa Ynez, California, at the age of 79. She is survived by her husband, Jerry Rounds. Her legacy lives on through the timeless songs she helped create.