Carl Carlton is a talented singer best known for two very different charttopping hits, but he has had quite a career beyond those songs. Born May 21, 1953, in Detroit, Michigan, Carlton’s musical journey began at a young age when he sang in church choirs, and by his early teens, he was performing in local clubs and talent shows.
Carlton’s first big break came in the late 1960s when he was discovered by Don D. Robey of Back Beat Records, who signed him to his label. His initial recordings were released under the name “Little Carl Carlton” due to his youthful appearance and age. His early hits included covers of popular songs like “Competition Ain’t Nothin'” and “46 Drums – 1 Guitar,” which showcased his powerful vocals and dynamic style.
In the 1970s, Carlton transitioned to ABC Records and achieved significant success with the single “Everlasting Love,” which became a major hit in 1974. This track anchored self-titled album. It took a moment for the kind of follow up hit that many fans expected, but it arrived in very different form in 1981. “She’s a Bad Mama Jama (She’s Built, She’s Stacked)” was an electronic funk masterpiece, earning Carlton a Grammy nomination and reaching the top of the R&B charts. His subsequent albums, including The Bad C.C. (1982) and Private Property (1985), continued to showcase his unique blend of soulful ballads and upbeat dance tracks.
Despite changes in the music industry, Carlton has continued to tour regularly, usually in multi-artist R&B shows. And he continues to sound great, wherever he performs. He has also recorded a series of independently released singles in the 2000s, including “God Is Good,” “Saturday” and “One More Minute,” though he was temporarily sidelined by a 2019 stroke.
