# Carl Anderson (singer)

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, 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 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. While performing in Los Angeles, Anderson was flown to London for a screen test for the film adaptation of the rock opera. Two weeks later, he left that production to begin filming in Israel alongside Neeley and Elliman, who were cast for the main roles as Jesus and Magdalene, respectively. The film, released in 1973 by director Norman Jewison, earned Anderson two Golden Globe nominations as "Most Promising Newcomer" and "Best Musical Actor", as well as an NAACP Image Award.
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'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.
Anderson also 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", 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 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 in New York City, the Universal Amphitheater in Los Angeles, the Fox Theaters in Detroit, St. Louis and Atlanta, the Morris Mechanic Theatre in Baltimore, The Orpheum in San Francisco, Providence Performing Arts Center in Providence, Rhode Island, the Wang Center and Shubert Theater during multiple returns to Boston as well as dates in Washington, D.C., Philadelphia, Miami, Toronto, Vancouver and Montreal. 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'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. 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.
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 / Anjani song "Nightingale" (2004) was recorded in his memory.

## Discography
### Solo

| Year | Title |
| 1982 | Absence With Out Love Released: 1982 Label: Epic |
| 1984 | On and On Released: 1984 Label: Epic |
| 1985 | Protocol Released: 1985 Label: Epic |
| 1986 | Carl Anderson Released: 1986 Label: Epic |
| 1988 | Act of Love Released: 1988 Label: Polydor |
| 1990 | Pieces of a Heart Released: 1990 Label: GRP |
| 1992 | Fantasy Hotel Released: 1992 Label: GRP |
| 1994 | Heavy Weather/Sunlight Again Released: 1994 Label: GRP |
| 1997 | Why We Are Here! (live) Released: 1997 Label: Abu Khalil |

### Soundtracks and compilations

— indicates a solo contribution.
| Year | Artist | Title | Contribution |
| 1973 | Original Motion Picture Soundtrack | Jesus Christ Superstar Released: 1973 (25th anniversary reissue 1998) Label: MCA | Judas |
| 1989 | The Rippingtons | GRP: On the Cutting Edge (Various Artists) Released: 1989 Label: GRP | Vocals ("Tourist in Paradise") |
| 1991 | Garfield | Am I Cool or What? (Various Artists) Released: 1991 Label: GRP | Vocals ("Fat is Where It's At") |
| 1992 | — | GRP 10th Anniversary Collection (Various Artists) Released: 1992 Label: GRP | Vocals ("How Deep Does It Go") |
| 1994 | The Rippingtons | Jazz Live (Various Artists) Released: 1994 Label: GRP | Vocals ("Tourist in Paradise") |
| 1996 | Tim Rice | Collection: Stage & Screen Classics (Various Artists) Released: 1996 Label: Rhino | Vocals ("Heaven on Their Minds") |
| 1997 | The Rippingtons | The Best of The Rippingtons Released: 1997 Label: GRP | Vocals |
| 1997 | Original Broadway Cast | Play On! Released: 1997 Label: Varèse | The Duke |
| 1999 | Various Artists | The Civil War: The Complete Work Released: 1999 Label: Atlantic | Vocals ("Sarah") |

### Other artists

| Year | Artist | Title | Contribution |
| 1976 | Stevie Wonder | Songs in the Key of Life Released: 1976 Label: Tamla | Background Vocals (uncredited) |
| 1980 | Menage a Trois | Menage a Trois Released: 1980 Label: Ariola | Vocals |
| 1981 | Kazu Matsui Project | Time No Longer Released: 1981 Label: Kazu | Vocals |
| 1983 | L.A. Jazz Choir | Listen... Released: 1983 Label: Mobile Fidelity Sound Labs | Vocals ("I Only Have Eyes For You") |
| 1983 | Weather Report | Domino Theory Released: 1983 Label: Columbia | Vocals ("Can It Be Done") |
| 1984 | Weather Report | Sportin' Life Released: 1984 Label: Columbia | Vocals ("Corner Pocket," "Hot Cargo," "Ice-Pick Willy") |
| 1985 | Kenny Loggins | Vox Humana Released: 1985 Label: Columbia | Background Vocals |
| 1986 | Joe Zawinul | Di•a•lects Released: 1986 Label: Columbia | Ensemble Voice |
| 1987 | Nancy Wilson | Forbidden Lover Released: 1987 Label: Epic | Vocals ("Forbidden Lover") |
| 1987 | Keiko Matsui | A Drop of Water Released: 1987 Label: Passport Jazz | Background Vocals |
| 1989 | The Zawinul Syndicate | Black Water Released: 1989 Label: Columbia | Vocals |
| 1989 | Dan Siegel | Late One Night Released: 1989 Label: CBS Associated | Vocals |
| 1989 | Oceans | Ridin' the Tide Released: 1989 Label: Pro-Jazz | Vocals |
| 1989 | The Rippingtons | Tourist in Paradise Released: 1989 Label: GRP | Vocals |
| 1990 | Nancy Wilson | Lady with a Song Released: 1990 Label: Epic | Background Vocals |
| 1990 | The Rippingtons | Welcome to the St. James' Club Released: 1990 Label: GRP | Vocals |
| 1991 | Don Grusin | Zephyr Released: 1991 Label: GRP | Background Vocals |
| 1991 | Peabo Bryson | Can You Stop the Rain Released: 1991 Label: Columbia | Background Vocals |
| 1991 | Richard Elliot | On the Town Released: 1991 Label: Blue Note | Vocals |
| 1992 | George Howard | Do I Ever Cross Your Mind? Released: 1992 Label: GRP | Background Vocals ("Try Again," "Stay Here With Me") |
| 1992 | The Rippingtons | Live in L.A. Released: 1992 Label: GRP | Vocals |
| 1993 | Eric Marienthal | One Touch Released: 1993 Label: GRP | Vocals |
| 1995 | Kevin Toney | Pastel Mood Released: 1995 Label: Ichiban | Vocals |
| 1996 | Michael Paulo | My Heart and Soul Released: 1996 Label: Noteworthy | Vocals |
| 1998 | Nils | Blue Planet Released: 1998 Label: Ichiban | Vocals |
| 1999 | Michael Paulo | Midnight Passion Released: 1999 Label: Noteworthy | Vocals |
| 1999 | Gerald McCauley | The McCauley Sessions Released: 1999 Label: Lightyear | Vocals |
| 1999 | L.A. Jazz Syndicate | L.A. Jazz Syndicate, Vol. 2 Released: 1999 Label: MCG | Vocals |
| 2000 | Brenda Russell | Paris Rain Released: 2000 Label: Hidden Beach | Vocals |
| 2002 | Linda Eder | Gold Released: 2002 Label: Atlantic | Vocals |

## Theater and concert credits

| Year | Title | Role |
| 1971 | Jesus Christ Superstar (pre-Broadway tour) | Judas Iscariot |
| 1972 | Jesus Christ Superstar (Broadway) | Judas Iscariot (understudy, later alternated with Ben Vereen) |
| 1976-1977 | Jesus Christ Superstar (California Youth Theatre organization) | Judas Iscariot (with Ted Neeley as Jesus and Yvonne Elliman as Mary) |
| 1990 | Jesus Christ Superstar (brief West Coast tour) | Judas Iscariot (with Barry Dennen as Pilate and Sam Harris as Jesus) |
| 1992-1997 | Jesus Christ Superstar (national tour) | Judas Iscariot (with Ted Neeley as Jesus, Dennis DeYoung as Pilate, Irene Cara/Syreeta Wright as Mary) |
| 1997 | Play On! (Broadway) | The Duke |
| 1998 | Jesus Christ Superstar (Rubicon Theatre Company) | Judas Iscariot (with Ted Neeley as Jesus) |
| 1999 | Linda Eder - Once in a Lifetime | Featured Vocalist (with Linda Eder and Douglas Sills) |
| 1999-2000 | Jesus Christ Superstar (Italian tour) | Judas Iscariot (also artistic director) |
| 2002 | Beggar's Holiday (Rubicon Theatre Company) | Mac |
| 2002-2003 | Jesus Christ Superstar (national tour) | Judas Iscariot (with Sebastian Bach as Jesus) |

## Filmography

| Year | Title | Role |
| 1973 | Jesus Christ Superstar | Judas Iscariot |
| 1977 | The Black Pearl | Moro |
| 1985 | The Color Purple | Reverend Samuel |
| 2015 | Superstars: The Documentary | Himself/Judas Iscariot |