b: Carlton Earl Anderson, 27th February 1945, Lynchburg, Virginia, U.S.A.
d: 23rd February 2004, 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.
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.
Larkin Arnold signed Carl to his label in 1980, and Richard Rudolph produced his Columbia debut, 'Absence Without 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.
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 Wilson, 'Forbidden Lover,' won critical praise.
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.
Carl became ill and lost his fight against Leukaemia in February 2004.
Albums:
Abscence With Out Love (Epic 1982)
On & On (Epic 1983)
Protocol (Epic 1985)
Carl Anderson (Carrere 1986)
Friends and Lovers (Epic 1986)
Act of Love (Polydor 1988)
Pieces of a Heart (GRP 1991)
Fantasy Hotel (GRP 1992)
Heavy Weather (GRP 1994)
Sunlight Again (GRP 1997)
