Soulobit: Johnny Carter

The death has been announced of Johnny Carter, soul singer.

Originally a member of The Flamingos, Carter left the band twice. First for a spell in the military, and then - more finally - to take up a role with The Dells when their lead tenor Johnny Funches quit in 1960. Although not an original Dell, he was with them for their greatest moments - Oh What A Night, most notably - and, in a reverse of the usual form for a 60s soul band (main line-up stays together until late in career, when they start to swap out members), The Dells got their personnel changes out the way in 1960 and remained with the same team throughout. The band played together for one of the last times in 2004, shortly after they had been inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame.

Interestingly, Carter had earlier been induced as a member of The Flamingos, thereby making him one of the few double-dippers.

Carter was 75. The cause of his death has not been reported.