American singer Carl Carlton has passed away at the age of 72.

Best remembered for his infectious hits during the disco era, Carlton first captured the nation’s attention with his 1974 cover of “Everlasting Love”.

Often compared to Stevie Wonder

For countless fans, Carl Carlton’s music was the soundtrack of their childhood and remains beloved to this day. His version of “Everlasting Love” was breathtaking — the soaring melody and genuine emotion made it impossible not to be swept up in its romance.

Born Carlton Hudgens in Detroit, he launched his music career as a preteen under the name “Little Carl Carlton” and quickly signed with the Texas label Back Beat. There, he released early singles like “Competition Ain’t Nothin’”, “Drop by My Place”, and “I Can Feel It”.

Although these tracks didn’t make him a household name in the U.S., they became cherished favorites within the Northern Soul club scene in the U.K.

But with his bright, flexible vocals often compared to Stevie Wonder, Carlton finally broke into the American mainstream with the 1974 hit “Everlasting Love.”

The strings-driven, near-disco track climbed to No. 6 on Billboard’s Hot 100, establishing him as a major R&B presence.