Happy 90th birthday to the great Clarence Carter (born January 14, 1936) — one of the true blues legends we’re still fortunate to have with us. Born blind, Carter forged a singular sound that fused deep blues feeling with righteous soul, making his music both radio-friendly and profoundly relatable. His songs spoke honestly to hard living, resilience, and hope, connecting with listeners on a deeply human level.
Among his best-known classics are “Slip Away” and “Back Door Santa” (both released in 1968), along with the enduring 1970 hit “Patches.” Let’s take a moment to revisit the touching country-soul masterpiece “Patches.”
