Carl Anderson (singer)
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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. Anderson and singer-actress 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 Lynchburg is an independent city (United States), independent city in the Commonwealth (U.S. state), Commonwealth of Virginia in the United States. First settled in 1757 by ferry owner and Abolitionism, abolitionist John Lynch (1740–1820), J ...
, Anderson was one of 12 children of James and Alberta Anderson. During his junior year of high school, Anderson enlisted in the U.S. Air Force, where he served as a communications technician for two years. He returned to Lynchburg to complete high school and graduated in 1965. With his honorable discharge, following high school, Anderson sang at military bases across the United States as part of the World Wide Air Force Talent Contest. Anderson moved to Washington, D.C., in 1969, where he studied psychology at Howard University. 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.


Early career

Anderson played the role of Judas in the pre-Broadway touring company's production of ''Jesus Christ Superstar'' but was passed over for the initial 1971 Broadway production when producers opted for the more well-known
Ben Vereen Benjamin Augustus Vereen (né Middleton; October 10, 1946) is an American actor, dancer and singer. He gained prominence for his performances in the original Broadway productions of the musicals ''Jesus Christ Superstar'', for which he received ...
for the part, and was cast as an understudy. He took over the role performed it on Broadway and in Los Angeles when Vereen fell ill. After Vereen recovered, both actors took turns playing the role. Castmate and future close friend Ted Neeley was performing in the tour as well, but had also been cast in the chorus and as a Jesus understudy. Yvonne Elliman was also in the tour as
Mary Magdalene Mary Magdalene (sometimes called Mary of Magdala, or simply the Magdalene or the Madeleine) was a woman who, according to the four canonical gospels, traveled with Jesus as one of his followers and was a witness to crucifixion of Jesus, his cr ...
. While performing in Los Angeles, Anderson was flown to London for a screen test for the
film adaptation A film adaptation transfers the details or story of an existing source text, such as a novel, into a feature film. This transfer can involve adapting most details of the source text closely, including characters or plot points, or the original sou ...
of the rock opera. Two weeks later, he left that production to begin filming in
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alongside Neeley and Elliman, who were cast for the main roles as Jesus and Magdalene, respectively. The film, released in
1973 Events January * January 1 – The United Kingdom, the Republic of Ireland and Denmark 1973 enlargement of the European Communities, enter the European Economic Community, which later becomes the European Union. * January 14 - The 16-0 19 ...
by director
Norman Jewison Norman Frederick Jewison (July 21, 1926 – January 20, 2024) was a Canadian filmmaker. He was known for directing films which addressed topical Social issue, social and political issues, often making controversial or complicated subjects acces ...
, earned Anderson two Golden Globe nominations as " Most Promising Newcomer" and " Best Musical Actor", as well as an
NAACP Image Award The NAACP Image Awards is an annual awards ceremony presented by the U.S.-based National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) to honor outstanding performances in film, television, theatre, music, and literature. The over 40 ...
. 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. The first reunited him with his Broadway and film co-stars Ted Neeley and Yvonne Elliman, and the second reunited him again with Neeley (Jesus). Other movie appearances by Anderson include: '' The Black Pearl'' (1978) and
Steven Spielberg Steven Allan Spielberg ( ; born December 18, 1946) is an American filmmaker. A major figure of the New Hollywood era and pioneer of the modern blockbuster, Spielberg is widely regarded as one of the greatest film directors of all time and is ...
'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 Stevland Hardaway Morris (; Judkins; born May 13, 1950), known professionally as Stevie Wonder, is an American and Ghanaian singer-songwriter, musician, and record producer. He is regarded as one of the most influential musicians of the 20th c ...
on his '' Songs in the Key of Life'' double album. Anderson also made numerous appearances at several notable clubs in Los Angeles during the 1970s and, with
Columbia Records Columbia Records is an American reco ...
' 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 Jazz is a music genre that originated in the African-American communities of New Orleans, Louisiana, in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Its roots are in blues, ragtime, European harmony, African rhythmic rituals, spirituals, h ...
and Soul albums as a solo artist, including moderate successes "How Deep Does It Go" and "My Love Will", as well as the hit from his self-titled 1986 album, " Friends and Lovers", a duet with Gloria Loring. The song reached the number-two spot on the charts that year and endeared Anderson to
soap opera A soap opera (also called a daytime drama or soap) is a genre of a long-running radio or television Serial (radio and television), serial, frequently characterized by melodrama, ensemble casts, and sentimentality. The term ''soap opera'' originat ...
fans, after he and Loring performed the song on ''Days of Our Lives''. In 1989, Anderson recorded the song "Between You and Me", which was used as the title theme for the film ''Her Alibi''. He also recorded on albums with other leading artists.


Later career

In 1992, Anderson reprised his role as Judas in ''Jesus Christ Superstar'' for a "20th Anniversary of the Movie" tour, alongside Neeley who also reprised his role as Jesus. Both men had agreed to do the tour only if they got to work together. Initially planned for three months, the production lasted five years and grossed over $100 million, visiting over 50 North American cities, including the Paramount Theater at
Madison Square Garden Madison Square Garden, colloquially known as the Garden or by its initials MSG, is a multi-purpose indoor arena in New York City. It is located in Midtown Manhattan between Seventh Avenue (Manhattan), Seventh and Eighth Avenue (Manhattan), Eig ...
in New York City, the Universal Amphitheater in Los Angeles, the Fox Theaters in
Detroit Detroit ( , ) is the List of municipalities in Michigan, most populous city in the U.S. state of Michigan. It is situated on the bank of the Detroit River across from Windsor, Ontario. It had a population of 639,111 at the 2020 United State ...
, St. Louis and
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, the Morris Mechanic Theatre in
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, The Orpheum in
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, Providence Performing Arts Center in
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, the Wang Center and Shubert Theater during multiple returns to
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as well as dates in Washington, D.C.,
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,
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, Toronto, Vancouver and
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. All these showings allowed Anderson to reprise his role over 1,700 times. In 1994, Anderson released an album titled ''Heavy Weather Sunlight Again'' which is full of soulful songs such as "Love'll Hold My Baby Tonight". In 1997, Anderson performed on Broadway in an adaptation of
William Shakespeare William Shakespeare ( 23 April 1564 – 23 April 1616) was an English playwright, poet and actor. He is widely regarded as the greatest writer in the English language and the world's pre-eminent dramatist. He is often called England's nation ...
's '' Twelfth Night'' called '' Play On!'' Beginning in 1998, and in later years of his life, he reprised his role as Judas in ''Superstar'' to sold-out auditoriums around the world. One of his later albums, ''Why We Are Here!'', was recorded at the Agape International Spiritual Center, then located in
Santa Monica, California Santa Monica (; Spanish language, Spanish: ''Santa Mónica'') is a city in Los Angeles County, California, Los Angeles County, situated along Santa Monica Bay on California's South Coast (California), South Coast. Santa Monica's 2020 United Sta ...
. He continued to perform, with Linda Eder, in a show called ''Once in a Lifetime'' produced by Eder's then-husband, Frank Wildhorn. In 2002, Anderson reprised his role as Judas in another national tour of ''Jesus Christ Superstar'' with ex- Skid Row singer Sebastian Bach playing Jesus. Bach received good reviews and Anderson was again praised. In April 2003, following a disagreement with the director, Bach walked out on the tour and was replaced with Broadway actor Eric Kunze. Bach considered Anderson a father-figure and good friend. Anderson stayed on the tour for three more months, but eventually left the show after being diagnosed with leukemia. The tour closed a year after his death.


Personal life and death

In 1992, Anderson married Veronica Porché, former wife of boxing legend
Muhammad Ali Muhammad Ali (; born Cassius Marcellus Clay Jr.; January 17, 1942 – June 3, 2016) was an American professional boxer and social activist. A global cultural icon, widely known by the nickname "The Greatest", he is often regarded as the gr ...
. In 2003, while performing with the national tour of ''Superstar'' that had started the previous year, Anderson was diagnosed with leukemia. According to a page on his memorial website, Anderson was involved in a minor car accident on his way to perform and, while being treated for his injuries, doctors discovered that he had leukemia. Anderson died from the illness on February 23, 2004, four days before his 59th birthday, in Los Angeles. The
Leonard Cohen Leonard Norman Cohen (September 21, 1934November 7, 2016) was a Canadian songwriter, singer, poet, and novelist. Themes commonly explored throughout his work include faith and mortality, isolation and depression, betrayal and redemption, soc ...
/ Anjani song "Nightingale" (2004) was recorded in his memory.


Discography


Solo


Soundtracks and compilations

— indicates a solo contribution.


Other artists


Theater and concert credits


Filmography


References


External links


The Official Website of Performing Artist Carl Anderson


* * {{DEFAULTSORT:Anderson, Carl 1945 births 2004 deaths African-American male actors American tenors American male musical theatre actors Deaths from leukemia in California Musicians from Lynchburg, Virginia Male actors from Virginia Singers from Virginia GRP Records artists United States Air Force airmen Howard University alumni