Soul Legend Clarence Carter Dead at 90

[RoomService]

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Getty


Clarence Carter -- the legendary blind soul singer behind countless R&B classics -- has died at 90.


Rodney Hall, president of FAME Studios in Alabama, confirmed the news to Rolling Stone ... after Hall spoke with the family of singer Candi Staton, Carter's ex-wife, who said the icon passed away Thursday.


Carter had recently been diagnosed with stage 4 prostate cancer and was also battling pneumonia and sepsis.


The soul legend spent more than six decades in music, becoming known for his unmistakable baritone voice and steady run of R&B hits throughout the late '60s and '70s.

Getty


Among his biggest tracks were "Strokin'," "Slip Away," "Too Weak to Fight" and "Patches" -- the latter earning him a Grammy nomination for Best R&B Song in 1971.


Carter was 90.


RIP

https://www.tmz.com/2026/05/14/clarence-carter-dead/

 

[RoomService]

 

[Maxxam]

90 is a good run. RIP

 

[deputy dawg]

I got some booty once while "Patches" played...
(it'll always bring a smile when I hear it!)


RIP legend

 

[WorldEX]

RIP, thanks for great Music!

 

[HellBoy]

RIP Sir.

 

[Z MONSTER]

R.I.P.

 

[keith6]

The first disciple of Zod!

 

[mcguyver]

RIP

 

[OutlawR.O.C.]

R.I.P.

 

[DragonXJC]

RIP

 

[RAY V.]

RIP Clarence Carter

 

[YoungSinister]

RIP

 

[34real]

RIP I remember the song cause it was on the box and the radio played the hell out of it and I'm glad he got that type of success and he probably had a good damn time too

 

[the artist]

Strokin'!
RIP Mr. Carter

 

[Darkness's]

Rip

 

[blackman80]

RIP to Clarence Carter!!

 

[HNIC]

R.I.P. Clarence Carter.
He had a great run.

 

[SIDESHOW]

Rip

 

[Database Error]

Rip

 

[furlough]

R.I.P.

 

[Fresh1911]

RIP

 

[Rythm]

RIP Clarence Carter

​

 

[Helico-pterFunk]

Rest in peace & condolences to his family and friends.

 

[stroka69]

RIP...

 

[easy_b]

RIP

 

[blackbull1970]

RIP.

And the Orange Moron is still walking and breathing…

 

[godofwine]

First time I heard Strokin was on one of those Time Life commercials where they were selling CDs. He lived a very long life and his music will play on. May he rest in peace

 

[RoomService]

First time I heard Strokin was on one of those Time Life commercials where they were selling CDs. He lived a very long life and his music will play on. May he rest in peace

Clarence Carter was 50 when he made strokin’ 1986

 

[ansatsusha_gouki]

Rest In Peace

 

[playahaitian]

Rest In Peace

 

[praetor]

Rest in peace.

 

[Hey Julian!]

Damn he was still alive? RIP. Jus remember that TIME music commerical from back in the day with "I be stokin', that's what I be doin', I be strokin'!"

 

[D24OHA]

R.I.P.

 

[Paul1970]

R.I.P.