American singer Carl Carlton has passed away at the age of 72. Best remembered for his infectious disco-era hits, Carlton first captured widespread attention with his 1974 cover of \u201cEverlasting Love,\u201d a soaring, strings-driven track that climbed to No. 6 on Billboard\u2019s Hot 100 and became a timeless classic. His bright, flexible vocals often drew comparisons to Stevie Wonder, helping cement his place in R&B history.<\/p>\n
Born Carlton Hudgens in Detroit, he began his career as a preteen under the name Little Carl Carlton, releasing early singles such as \u201cCompetition Ain\u2019t Nothin\u2019\u201d and \u201cI Can Feel It.\u201d While those songs found limited success in the U.S., they became favorites in the U.K.\u2019s Northern Soul scene. After breaking free from an early recording contract, Carlton signed with 20th Century Fox Records in the late 1970s.<\/p>\n
His persistence paid off in 1981 with \u201cShe\u2019s a Bad Mama Jama (She\u2019s Built, She\u2019s Stacked),\u201d which reached No. 2 on Billboard\u2019s soul chart and became one of his signature songs. He followed with a reggae-infused cover of the Four Tops\u2019 \u201cBaby I Need Your Loving,\u201d further showcasing his versatility.<\/p>\n
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