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Carl Carlton, ‘Everlasting Love’ and ‘She’s a Bad Mama Jama’ singer, dies at 72

Written by ABC Audio ALL RIGHTS RESERVED on December 15, 2025

R&B singer Carl Carlton, best known for singing the hit tracks “Everlasting Love” and “She’s a Bad Mama Jama (She’s Built, She’s Stacked),” has passed away at the age of 72.

“RIP Dad, Legend Carl Carlton singer of She’s a Bad Mama Jama,” his son Carlton Hudgens II wrote on Facebook. “Long hard fight in life and you will be missed.”

“Everlasting Love” was a top-10 hit for Carlton, peaking at #6 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1974. The tune went on to be covered by a variety of artists, including U2, Gloria Estefan, and Rex Smith and Rachel Sweet.

“She’s a Bad Mama Jama (She’s Built, She’s Stacked),” released in 1981, hit #22 on the Billboard Hot 100 and also peaked at #2 on the Billboard Soul Singles chart. It earned Carlton a Grammy nomination for best R&B vocal performance, male.