Carl Anderson

An expressive and versatile vocalist, Carl Anderson worked in theatrical productions and recorded soul, pop, rock, and fusion dates. He was born in Lynchburg, VA, and moved to Washington in 1969. Anderson sang with the rock band Second Eagle before relocating to Los Angeles in the early '70s and joining Motown in 1971.

While working with Stevie Wonder on some songs that were never issued, Anderson began acting. He was in both the film and stage productions of Jesus Christ Superstar during the early and mid-'70s, and also made appearances in several L.A. clubs. CBS talent scout Larkin Arnold signed Anderson to his label in 1980, and Richard Rudolph produced his Columbia debut, Absence Without Love, in 1982. It didn't attract much attention, but the second LP, On & On, included the single "Magic" and duet "It's the Love" with Vanesse Thomas, which did well internationally.

He cut two more LPs for the label, and the 1986 release Carl Anderson earned him his lone pop hit, the duet "Friends and Lovers" with soap star Gloria Loring that made it to the number two spot. Anderson 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 and Fantasy Hotel for GRP in 1990 and 1992, respectively. His acting career continued as well, with appearances in the television programs Hill Street Blues and Hotel and the film The Color Purple. Anderson passed away on February 23, 2004 after a battle with leukemia.