b. Carlton Earl Anderson, 27th February 1945, Lynchburg, Virginia, U.S.A.
d. 23rd February 2004, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, California, U.S.A.
Carl was born in Lynchburg, Virginia, and moved to Washington in the Sixties.
He performed at Jackie Lee's Lounge on Kennedy Street, NW for a number of years.
At that time, Carl was managed by Dewey Hughes, who was instrumental in linking Carl to Stevie Wonder and his later role in Jesus Christ Superstar.
Carl sang with the rock band Second Eagle before relocating to Los Angeles in the early '70's and joining Motown in 1971.
While working with Stevie Wonder on some songs that were never issued, Carl began acting.
in jesus christ superstar as judas iscariot - 1973
As previously mentioned, Carl was in both the film and stage productions of 'Jesus Christ Superstar' during the early and mid-70's, and also made appearances in several L.A. clubs.
absence with out love - 1982 / on and on - 1983
Larkin Arnold signed Carl to his label in 1980, and Richard Rudolph produced his Columbia debut, 'Absence With Out Love', in 1982.
Although containing the excellent 'Buttercup' (a collaboration with Stevie Wonder), it didn't attract much attention, however, the second LP, 'On & On', included the single 'Magic' and duet 'It's The Love' with Vanesse Thomas.
protocol - 1985 / carl anderson 1986
He recorded two more LPs for the label, and the 1986 release 'Carl Anderson' earned him a pop hit, the duet 'Friends and Lovers' with soap star Gloria Loring which reached the number two spot.
Carl recorded with Nancy Wilson and Weather Report in 1987, his duet with Nancy, 'Forbidden Lover,' won critical praise.
an act of love - 1988 / pieces of a heart - 1990 / fantasy hotel - 1992 / heavy weather, sunlight again - 1994
He recorded 'An Act of Love' for Polydor in 1988 and 'Pieces of A Heart' (containing a collaboration with Leon Ware on 'How Deep Does It Go?") and 'Fantasy Hotel' for GRP in 1990 and 1992, respectively.
His acting career included appearances in the television shows 'Hill Street Blues', 'Magnum', Starsky & Hutch', 'The Incredible Hulk' and 'Hotel', along with a part in the movie 'The Color Purple'.
In 2001, Carl began work on a new project, as yet untitled, which he described as 'real Rhythm And Blues'.
The album never saw the light of day.
In 2002 he joined the revival tour of 'Jesus Christ Superstar, organised by skating star Cathy Rigby's production company, McCoy-Rigby Entertainment.
Carl became ill and, after a seven-month battle with leukemia, lost his fight against the illness, at the Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, in February 2004.
He is survived by his wife, Verónica Porche Ali, the former wife of the boxing great Muhammad Ali.
Larkin Arnold was a pallbearer at Carl's funeral.
Albums:
Absence With Out Love (Epic Records 1982)
On & On (Epic Records 1983)
Protocol (Epic Records 1985)
Carl Anderson (Carrere Records 1986)
Act of Love (Polydor Records 1988)
Pieces of a Heart (GRP Records 1991)
Fantasy Hotel (GRP Records 1992)
Heavy Weather, Sunlight Again (GRP Records 1994)
Why We Are Here (Live At Agape) (TNT Jones Records 1997)
