Clarence Carter, Soul Star and 'Patches' Hitmaker, Dies at 90

Ilana KaplanThu, May 14, 2026 at 7:13 PM UTC

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Clarence Carter in Chicago in June 2015
Credit: James Fraher/Redferns -

Clarence Carter has died at the age of 90

On Thursday, May 14, Rodney Hall, president of FAME Studios, where he recorded many of his hits confirmed the news of his death to PEOPLE

"He was far more than an artist to us. He was family," he wrote in the statement

Southern soul star Clarence Carter has died. He was 90.

News of his death was confirmed by Rodney Hall, the president of FAME Studios in Muscle Shoals, Ala., where several of his hits were recorded. Rolling Stone was the first to report the news.

Hall confirmed that Carter "passed away peacefully at his home in Decatur, Ga." on Wednesday, May 13. No further details were provided at the time.

"We are deeply saddened by the passing of our dear friend Clarence Carter. Clarence recorded many of his greatest hits at FAME Studios alongside Rick Hall and remained part of the FAME family for more than four decades. He was far more than an artist to us. He was family," he wrote in the statement.

Clarence Carter in June 1987 in Chicago
Credit: Paul Natkin/WireImage

Hall continued, "Clarence's contributions to FAME, the Muscle Shoals Sound, and American music cannot be overstated. Beyond his unmistakable voice, he was a gifted guitarist and songwriter who penned many of his own hits, all while overcoming blindness from the age of one."

He concluded by celebrating Carter's "legacy of timeless music, unforgettable performances, and friendships" that will always be cherished.

"Our thoughts and prayers are with his family, friends, and fans around the world," Hall concluded.

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The statement was also shared on the official Facebook page for FAME Studios on May 14.

Carter was born blind in Montgomery, Ala. He became a self-taught guitar player after receiving the instrument for Christmas. Later, Carter went to the Alabama School for the Blind in Talladega, Ala., and in 1960, he earned a degree in music from Alabama State College.

He then joined forces with another blind artist, singer and piano player Calvin Scott, to form the duo Clarence & Calvin. Carter and Scott performed in the Birmingham clubs before signing with FAME in 1965 and had then called themselves the C&C Boys.

After recording their first single with FAME, Scott was forced to retire from performing after a car accident, but Carter remained under contract as a recording artist and a session guitarist. Carter initially earned hits on the R&B charts with 1965's “Step By Step” and 1967's “Tell Daddy” before crossing over to the pop charts. Later, he landed hits with 1968's “Slip Away" and 1970's “Patches," the latter of which took home the Grammy for Best R&B Song.

Clarence Carter circa 1970
Credit: Ochs Archives/Getty

Carter met gospel singer Candi Staton in 1968, whom he would marry two years later. But by 1973, the couple divorced after having a son, Clarence Carter Jr. During his life, Carter was married and divorced five times.

Over the years, Carter continued recording and touring, and in 1996, he started his own label, Cee Gee Entertainment.

In 1998, he told the New York Times, “I'm determined to do what folks say I can't, and it has to do with a lot of factors, especially when you're blind."

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