Carl Anderson

Carlton Earl "Carl" Anderson (February 27, 1945 – February 23, 2004) was an American singer, film and theater actor best known for his portrayal of Judas Iscariot in the Broadway and film versions of the rock opera Jesus Christ Superstar by Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice. He and Gloria Loring performed the duet "Friends and Lovers", which reached No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in 1986.

Life and career Early life Born in Lynchburg, Virginia, Anderson was one of 12 children of James and Alberta Anderson. He and some friends also formed a group called "The Second Eagle", with Anderson as lead singer. Among the many jazz and rock tunes that the Second Eagle covered were some from the album Jesus Christ Superstar, which had not been released in the United States yet.

In 1971, Anderson and his band performed some songs from the album at a Palm Sunday service; this performance was covered by the Today show. A producer for the American production of Jesus Christ Superstar saw the performance and offered him an audition.

In the late 1970s, he reprised his role as Judas for two regional productions in California, both under the auspices of the California Youth Theatre organization. Other films in which Anderson appeared include: The Black Pearl (1978) and Steven Spielberg's The Color Purple (1985). Television appearances include The Eddie Capra Mysteries, Cop Rock, Days of Our Lives, Rockford Files, and Hill Street Blues.

As a recording artist, Anderson was equally prolific. He signed with Motown Records in 1972. Several of the most recognizable albums to be released in the 1970s would bear the mark of Anderson, including his work with Stevie Wonder on his Songs in the Key of Life double album. He made numerous appearances at several notable clubs in Los Angeles during the 1970s and, with Columbia Records' talent scout Larkin Arnold, signed a record deal for which Anderson would release four albums on the Epic label beginning in 1982. In total, Anderson released nine jazz and Soul albums as a solo artist, including moderate successes "How Deep Does It Go" and "My Love Will", The Leonard Cohen / Anjani song "Nightingale" (2004) was recorded in his memory.

Discography

Solo YearTitle1982 Absence With Out Love Released: 1982 Label: Epic1984 On and On Released: 1984 Label: Epic1985 Protocol Released: 1985 Label: Epic1986 Carl Anderson Released: 1986 Label: Epic1988 Act of Love Released: 1988 Label: Polydor1990 Pieces of a Heart Released: 1990 Label: GRP1992 Fantasy Hotel Released: 1992 Label: GRP1994 Heavy Weather/Sunlight Again Released: 1994 Label: GRP1997 Why We Are Here! (live) Released: 1997 Label: Abu Khalil

Soundtracks and compilations — indicates a solo contribution.

Released: 1973 (25th anniversary reissue 1998) Released: 1989 Label: GRPVocals ("Tourist in Paradise")1991Garfield Am I Cool or What? (Various Artists) Released: 1991 Label: GRPVocals ("Fat is Where It's At")1992— GRP 10th Anniversary Collection (Various Artists) Released: 1992 Label: GRPVocals ("How Deep Does It Go")1994The Rippingtons Jazz Live (Various Artists) Released: 1994 Label: GRPVocals ("Tourist in Paradise")1996Tim Rice Collection: Stage & Screen Classics (Various Artists) Released: 1996 Label: RhinoVocals ("Heaven on Their Minds")1997The Rippingtons The Best of The Rippingtons Released: 1997 Label: GRPVocalsOriginal Broadway Cast Play On! Released: 1997 Released: 1999 Label: AtlanticVocals ("Sarah")

Other artists Released: 1976 Label: TamlaBackground Vocals (uncredited)1980Menage a Trois Menage a Trois Released: 1980 Released: 1981 Label: KazuVocals1983L.A. Jazz Choir Listen... Released: 1983 Label: Mobile Fidelity Sound LabsVocals ("I Only Have Eyes For You") 1983Weather Report Domino Theory Released: 1983 Label: ColumbiaVocals ("Can It Be Done")1984Weather Report Sportin' Life Released: 1984 Label: ColumbiaVocals ("Corner Pocket," "Hot Cargo," "Ice-Pick Willy")1985Kenny Loggins Vox Humana Released: 1985 Released: 1986 Released: 1987 Label: EpicVocals ("Forbidden Lover")Keiko Matsui A Drop of Water Released: 1987 Released: 1989 Label: ColumbiaVocalsDan Siegel Late One Night Released: 1989 Label: CBS AssociatedVocalsOceans Ridin' the Tide Released: 1989 Label: Pro-JazzVocalsThe Rippingtons Tourist in Paradise Released: 1989 Released: 1990 Label: EpicBackground VocalsThe Rippingtons Welcome to the St. James' Club Released: 1990 Released: 1991 Label: GRPBackground VocalsPeabo Bryson Can You Stop the Rain Released: 1991 Label: ColumbiaBackground VocalsRichard Elliot On the Town Released: 1991 Released: 1992 Label: GRPBackground Vocals ("Try Again," "Stay Here With Me")The Rippingtons Live in L.A. Released: 1992 Released: 1993 Released: 1995 Released: 1996 Released: 1998 Released: 1999 Label: NoteworthyVocalsGerald McCauley The McCauley Sessions Released: 1999 Label: LightyearVocalsL.A. Jazz Syndicate L.A. Jazz Syndicate, Vol. 2 Released: 1999 Released: 2000 Released: 2002 Label: AtlanticVocals

Theater and concert credits

Filmography Year Title Role Notes1973 Jesus Christ Superstar Judas Iscariot 1977 The Black Pearl Moro 1985 The Color Purple Reverend Samuel 2015 Superstars: The Documentary Himself/Judas Iscariot