Clarence Carter, the blind Alabama soul singer and producer who crafted a string of enduring hits throughout the 1960s and 1970s, has passed away. Reports confirm that Carter died following a diagnosis of stage 4 prostate cancer. He was 90 years old.

Born blind, Carter grew up in Montgomery, Alabama, and was a graduate of Alabama State University, class of 1960. His early career saw him performing as part of a duo with his friend Calvin Scott, recording under the names Clarence & Calvin and the C&C Boys. Following a car accident that left Scott injured, Carter transitioned into a successful solo career. His 1967 single “Tell Daddy” made a significant impact on the R&B charts, eventually inspiring an answer record by Etta James. Upon signing with Atlantic Records, Carter solidified his status with the 1968 breakup anthem “Slip Away,” which became a crossover top-10 pop hit.

Carter’s hit-making streak continued throughout the late 1960s. Later in 1968, he reached #4 on the Hot 100 with “Back Door Santa,” a novelty Christmas song that would later gain a second life when sampled by Run-DMC for “Christmas In Hollis.” He achieved another #4 hit with his Grammy-winning 1970 rendition of “Patches,” a poignant song about poverty originally recorded by the Chairmen Of The Board.

Beyond his solo work, Carter was known for his marriage to fellow soul legend Candi Staton, with whom he had a son. While his primary run of chart success was relatively brief, Carter maintained a dedicated following and continued to record, famously releasing the 1986 single “Strokin’,” which remains his most popular track on modern streaming platforms. His final studio album, Mr. Old School, was released in 2020.