Clarence Carter Dies at 90 After Prostate Cancer Diagnosis and Sepsis Battle
Updated
Updated · USA TODAY · May 14
Clarence Carter Dies at 90 After Prostate Cancer Diagnosis and Sepsis Battle
8 articles · Updated · USA TODAY · May 14
FAME Recording Studios said Clarence Carter died Thursday at 90, ending a career that made the blind Alabama singer a Southern soul mainstay.
Rolling Stone reported Carter had recently been diagnosed with prostate cancer and was battling pneumonia and sepsis.
1960s and 1970s hits including "Slip Away," "Patches" and "Back Door Santa" defined his peak, while 1986's "Strokin'" sold more than 1.5 million copies despite little radio play.
Born blind in 1936, Carter earned a music degree, recorded early sides at FAME after paying $85 for a 1965 session, and was inducted into the Alabama Music Hall of Fame in 2003.
His death closes a five-decade recording run that stretched to 2020's "Mr. Old School" and left a lasting mark on Muscle Shoals soul.
Will Clarence Carter’s death unlock a vault of unheard music, reshaping his five-decade legacy?
What surprising parallel connected the lives of blind music pioneers Clarence Carter and Stevie Wonder?
How did the artist behind soulful ballad 'Patches' later create the explicit 80s anthem 'Strokin'?
Clarence Carter’s Passing at 90: A Comprehensive Look at the Life and Enduring Influence of a Soul Icon
Overview
On May 14, 2026, the music world mourned the loss of Clarence Carter, the legendary soul singer who died at age 90. His death was confirmed by Rodney Hall, president of FAME Studios, after speaking with Carter’s ex-wife Candi Staton’s family. Carter had recently been diagnosed with prostate cancer and was also battling pneumonia and sepsis. As news of his passing broke, immediate public tributes and reactions were anticipated, with fans and the music community coming together to process the loss of this influential artist whose career spanned decades.