Clarence Carter, an Alabama music legend, dies at age 90

Legendary musician Clarence Carter died last week at the age of 90. FAME Recording Studios in Muscle Shoals announced the artist’s death via social media, deeming carter as “a remarkably tasteful guitar player and an exceptional songwriter.”

Clarence Carter passed away after a long, successful music career

Carter was born in Montgomery in 1936. Born blind, he attended the Alabama School for the Deaf and Blind before attending Alabama State where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in music.

Carter’s first music act was a collaboration with his friend Calvin Scott (Clarence & Calvin), which signed to Duke Records and was later renamed The C & C Boys. After Scott was injured in an accident, Carter embarked on a solo career.

He recorded extensively at FAME throughout the 60s, and in 1967 he recorded “Tell Daddy”, which reached number 35 on the Billboard R&B chart (and inspired Etta James’s answer record, “Tell Mama”, for which Carter was credited as writer).

After signing to Atlantic Records, Carter put together an impressive run of R&B hits that charted in the top 40, including “Slip Away,” “Too Weak to Fight” and “Snatching It Back,” among others.

Carter’s biggest hit came in 1970 with his version of the Chairmen of the Board song, “Patches.” The record sold more than a million copies, and won the Grammy Award for Best R&B Song in 1971. 

Carter recorded 22 albums in his career, and was inducted into the Alabama Music Hall of Fame in 2003.

“Clarence Carter leaves behind a legacy of timeless music, unforgettable performances, and a friendship we will always cherish. We extend our love and prayers to his family, friends, and fans around the world.”

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