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 “Everlasting Love,” a soaring, strings-driven track that climbed to No. 6 on Billboard’s 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.
Born Carlton Hudgens in Detroit, he began his career as a preteen under the name Little Carl Carlton, releasing early singles such as “Competition Ain’t Nothin’” and “I Can Feel It.” While those songs found limited success in the U.S., they became favorites in the U.K.’s Northern Soul scene. After breaking free from an early recording contract, Carlton signed with 20th Century Fox Records in the late 1970s.
His persistence paid off in 1981 with “She’s a Bad Mama Jama (She’s Built, She’s Stacked),” which reached No. 2 on Billboard’s soul chart and became one of his signature songs. He followed with a reggae-infused cover of the Four Tops’ “Baby I Need Your Loving,” further showcasing his versatility.