The music world is mourning the loss of legendary soul singer Clarence Carter, who has died at the age of 90.
According to reports confirmed by FAME Studios president Rodney Hall, Carter passed away peacefully at his home in Decatur, Georgia, on Wednesday, May 13. The news was first reported by Rolling Stone.
Carter had reportedly been battling several serious health issues, including stage 4 prostate cancer, pneumonia, and sepsis in the weeks leading up to his death.
Born blind on January 14, 1936, in Montgomery, Carter overcame tremendous odds to become one of the defining voices of Southern soul and R&B music. After receiving a guitar as a child, he taught himself how to play and later attended the Alabama School for the Blind before earning a music degree from Alabama State College in 1960.
Carter rose to fame in the late 1960s and early 1970s with timeless hits including “Slip Away,” “Snatching It Back,” “Too Weak to Fight,” and the Grammy-winning classic “Patches,” which earned him the Grammy Award for Best R&B Song in 1971.
He also became known for the cheeky holiday favorite “Back Door Santa,” later famously sampled by Run-D.M.C. in “Christmas in Hollis.”
While younger audiences may best remember Carter for his 1986 novelty hit “Strokin’,” longtime fans recognized him as one of the foundational voices of Southern soul music and a major figure in the famed Muscle Shoals music scene.
In a statement, FAME Studios paid tribute to Carter, saying:
“We are deeply saddened by the passing of our dear friend Clarence Carter. Clarence recorded many of his greatest hits at FAME Studios alongside Rick Hall and remained part of the FAME family for more than four decades.”
Carter was also formerly married to fellow soul legend Candi Staton, whom he met in 1968 before the two married in 1970 and welcomed a son together.
Throughout his career, Carter remained a beloved performer, continuing to record and tour for decades. His final album, Mr. Old School, was released in 2020. In 2003, he was inducted into the Alabama Music Hall of Fame, cementing his legacy as one of Alabama’s greatest musical icons.
From heartfelt soul ballads to playful blues-inspired anthems, Clarence Carter’s music touched generations and helped shape the sound of Southern R&B.
Thank you, Mr. Carter, for the music, the memories, and the incredible legacy you leave behind.
