American guitarist (born 1948)
Larry Carlton
Background information Born Larry Eugene Carlton
(1948-03-02 ) March 2, 1948 (age 77) Genres Occupations Instrument Guitar Years active 1962–present Labels Website larrycarlton335
Musical artist
Larry Eugene Carlton (born March 2, 1948)[ 2] Steely Dan andJoni Mitchell . One of the most sought-after guitarists of his era, Carlton has participated in thousands of recording sessions, recorded on hundreds of albums in many genres including more than 100 gold records, in addition to music for television and movies. He has been a member of thejazz fusion groupthe Crusaders and thesmooth jazz bandFourplay maintaining a long solo career.[ 3]
Carlton was born inTorrance, California in the South Bay Area of L.A.,[ 2] surf guitar with Eddie and the Showmen, who became the house band at the Retail Clerks Union Hall inBuena Park, California . His interest in jazz came from hearing guitaristJoe Pass on the radio, after which he started to listen to jazz guitaristsBarney Kessel andWes Montgomery , as well as blues guitaristB.B. King . He went to junior college andLong Beach State College while playing professionally at clubs inLos Angeles .[ 3]
Carlton performing withYellowjackets at Bailey Hall,Cornell University , September 1987 During the 1970s, he found steady work as astudio musician on electric and acoustic guitar in a variety of genres: pop, jazz pop, rock, rhythm and blues, soul, and country.[ 2] Steely Dan ,Joni Mitchell ,Linda Ronstadt ,Michael Jackson ,Quincy Jones ,Bobby Bland ,Sammy Davis Jr. ,Paulinho Da Costa ,Charly García ,the Fifth Dimension ,Herb Alpert ,Christopher Cross ,Dolly Parton ,Andy Williams , andthe Partridge Family . Carlton performed onMike Post 's 1981 "Theme fromHill Street Blues ", which wonGrammys for 'Best Instrumental Composition' and for 'Best Pop Instrumental Performance'.[ 4] The Nightfly Donald Fagen , lead singer forSteely Dan .[ 3]
His guitar work on Steely Dan's "Kid Charlemagne " from their 1976 LPThe Royal Scam Rolling Stone [ 5]
Carlton recorded his debut solo album,With a Little Help from My Friends , in 1968. In the mid-1970s he built a home studio and called it Room 335 after theGibson ES-335 , an electric guitar he is known for playing. He has recorded most of his albums at Room 335. In 1988, with his solo career burgeoning, he was shot in the throat by a teenager outside Room 335 and suffered nerve and vocal cord damage,[ 2] On Solid Ground .[ 3] [ 6] [ 7]
Carlton produced six albums from 1978 to 1984. His version of "Sleepwalk" bySanto Farina climbed the pop and adult contemporary charts. From 1985 to 1990, he did various solo projects, including the live albumLast Nite [ 2] king of Thailand ,Bhumibol Adulyadej , in honor of the king's birthday.[ 3] The Jazz King (Sony BMG , 2008) with a jazz orchestra includingTom Scott ,Nathan East , andEarl Klugh .[ 8]
Notable instruments [ edit ] Carlton is best known for his 1969Gibson ES-335 , being often referred to as “Mr. 335”.[ 9] Fender Telecaster , a 1964Fender Stratocaster , and a 1955Gibson Les Paul Special .[ 10] Fender Deluxe amplifier and his standard setup included aDumble .[ 9]
Now he plays Bludotone amplifiers.In 2020, Carlton began endorsing Sire Guitars, with whom he has a signature line of electric guitars.
In 1988, Carlton was shot in the neck at the entrance of his home in theHollywood Hills in Los Angeles. Speaking to theLos Angeles Times carport .[ 11] The Hamilton Spectator [ 12] [ 11] [ 12]
It took Carlton "seven or eight months" before he was able to play the guitar again due to an axonal injury on the left side of his neck. He required extensive rehabilitation to build muscles in his left arm and it was about two years before he could perform again.[ 12]
Carlton married contemporary Christian music artist Michele Pillar in 1987; they divorced in 2013. He is the father of Katie Carlton and Travis Carlton. Travis is a professionalbassist .[ 13]
With a Little Help from My Friends (Decca, 1968)Singing/Playing (Blue Thumb, 1973)Larry Carlton Mr. 335 Live in Japan (Warner Bros., 1979)Strikes Twice Eight Times Up [live] (Warner Bros., 1982)Sleepwalk (Warner Bros., 1982)Friends (Warner Bros., 1983)Alone / But Never Alone Last Nite Discovery On Solid Ground Christmas at My House (MCA 6322, 1989)Collection (GRP, 1990)Kid Gloves (GRP, 1992)Renegade Gentleman Terry McMillan (GRP, 1993)Live at the Greek withStanley Clarke (Epic, 1994)Larry & Lee withLee Ritenour (GRP, 1995)The Gift (GRP, 1996)Fingerprints (Warner Bros., 2000)Deep Into It (Warner Bros., 2001)No Substitutions: Live in Osaka Steve Lukather (Favored Nations, 2001)Sapphire Blue (Bluebird, 2003)Fire Wire Live in Tokyo withRobben Ford (335 Records, 2007)Greatest Hits Rerecorded, Volume One (335, 2007)Take Your Pick Tak Matsumoto (335, 2010)Plays the Sound of Philadelphia (335, 2010)New Morning: The Paris Concert (335, 2011)Four Hands & a Heart, Volume One (335, 2012)Unplugged with Robben Ford (335, 2013)Four Hands & a Heart: Christmas (335, 2014)At Billboard Live Tokyo withDavid T. Walker (335, 2015)At Blue Note Tokyo with Steve Lukather (335, 2016)Lights On [live] with the SWR Big Band (335, 2017)Soul Searchin' with Paul Brown (Shanachie, 2021)WithThe Crusaders
Crusaders 1 (Blue Thumb, 1972)The 2nd Crusade (Blue Thumb, 1973)Unsung Heroes (Blue Thumb, 1973)Scratch (Blue Thumb, 1974)Southern Comfort (Blue Thumb, 1974)Chain Reaction (Blue Thumb, 1975)Those Southern Knights (Blue Thumb, 1976)Free as the Wind (Blue Thumb, 1977)The Good and Bad Times (MCA, 1986)Happy Again (Sin-Drome, 1995)Louisiana Hot Sauce (Sin-Drome, 1996)WithFourplay
4 (Warner Bros., 1998)Snowbound (Warner Bros., 1999)Yes, Please! (Warner Bros., 2000)Heartfelt (Bluebird, 2002)Journey (Bluebird, 2004)X (Bluebird, 2006)Energy (Heads Up, 2008)Silver (Heads Up, 2015)WithPaul Anka
The Painter The Music Man (United Artists, 1977)Headlines (RCA Victor, 1979)WithJoan Baez
WithBobby Bland
His California Album (Dunhill, 1973)Dreamer WithPat Boone
Something Supernatural (Lamb & Lion, 1975)WithDavid Cassidy
WithPaulinho da Costa
Happy People (Pablo, 1979)Sunrise (Pablo, 1984) – rec. 1982Paulinho Da Costa (Columbia, 1984)WithRandy Crawford
WithAndraé Crouch
Take Me Back (Light, 1975)I'll Be Thinking of You (Elektra, 1979)WithFour Tops
WithMichael Franks
WithDavid Gates
WithLani Hall
WithAlbert Hammond
WithThe Hues Corporation
WithJohn Klemmer
Touch (ABC, 1975)Barefoot Ballet (ABC, 1976)Hush (Elektra, 1981)Music (MCA, 1989)WithBill LaBounty
The Right Direction (Noteworthy Records, 1991)Back To Your Star (Chill Phill Records, 2009)WithHenry Mancini
Music from the TV Series the Mancini Generation (RCA Victor, 1972)Country Gentleman (RCA Victor, 1974)WithGap Mangione
Suite Lady (A&M, 1978)Dancin' Is Makin' Love (A&M, 1979)WithMegan McDonough
In the Megan Manner (RCA, 1972)Megan Music (RCA, 1972)Keepsake (RCA, 1973)Sketches (RCA, 1974)WithJoni Mitchell
WithWayne Newton
Daddy Don't You Walk So Fast (Chelsea, 1972)While We're Still Young (Chelsea, 1973)WithMichael Omartian
WithThe Partridge Family
The Partridge Family Notebook (Bell, 1972)Shopping Bag (Bell, 1972)Bulletin Board (Bell, 1973)Crossword Puzzle (Bell, 1973)WithMichele Pillar
Look Who Loves You Now (Sparrow, 1984)Love Makes All the Difference (Urgent, 1991)I Hear Angels Calling (335 Records, 2006)WithJohnny Rivers
L.A. Reggae (United Artists, 1972)Blue Suede Shoes (United Artists, 1973)New Lovers and Old Friends (Epic, 1975)Wild Night (United Artists, 1976)WithLeo Sayer
WithTom Scott
Great Scott! (A&M, 1972)Tom Scott and the L.A. Express (A&M, 1974)WithJames Lee Stanley
James Lee Stanley (RCA, 1973)Three's the Charm (RCA, 1974)WithSteely Dan
WithB. W. Stevenson
Lead Free (RCA, 1972)My Maria (RCA, 1973)Calabasas (RCA, 1974)WithBarbra Streisand
WithLivingston Taylor
With others
The 5th Dimension ,Living Together, Growing Together Alessi Brothers ,Long Time Friends (Qwest, 1982)Herb Alpert ,Midnight Sun America ,Harbor Chet Atkins ,Stay Tuned (Columbia, 1985)Hoyt Axton ,Fearless (A&M, 1976)Anita Baker ,Christmas Fantasy David Benoit ,Letter to Evan (GRP, 1992)Stephen Bishop ,Careless Clint Black ,Nothin' but the Taillights David Blue ,Com'n Back for More (Asylum, 1975)Terence Boylan ,Suzy (Asylum, 1980)Teresa Brewer ,Music, Music, Music (Amsterdam, 1973)The Brothers Johnson ,Blam! Glen Campbell ,Bloodline Kim Carnes ,Rest on Me Vikki Carr ,Ms. America (Columbia, 1973)Keith Carradine ,I'm Easy David Crosby ,Oh Yes I Can Christopher Cross ,Christopher Cross Dalbello ,Lisa Dal Bello Patti Dahlstrom ,The Way I Am (20th Century, 1973)Eumir Deodato ,Love Island (Warner Bros., 1978)Neil Diamond ,Jonathan Livingston Seagull (Columbia, 1973)Cass Elliot ,Cass Elliot Don Ellis ,Haiku (MPS, 1974)Tommy Emmanuel ,Can't Get Enough (Columbia, 1996)Eye to Eye ,Shakespeare Stole My Baby (Warner Bros., 1983)Donald Fagen ,The Nightfly Peter Frampton ,All Blues (Universal, 2019)Peter Gabriel ,Walk Through the Fire (Virgin, 1984)Charly García ,Clics modernos Jerry Garcia ,Compliments of Garcia (Warner Bros., 1974)Art Garfunkel ,Angel Clare Lesley Gore ,Love Me By Name (A&M Records, 1976)Marjoe Gortner ,Bad, but Not Evil (Chelsea, 1972)Hager Twins ,Music on the Country Side (Barnaby, 1972)Carolyn Hester ,Carolyn Hester (RCA Victor, 1973)Thelma Houston ,I've Got the Music in Me James Ingram ,It's Your Night Chuck Jackson ,Through All Times (ABC, 1973)Michael Jackson ,Off the Wall Etta James ,Deep in the Night Al Jarreau ,Glow Billy Joel ,Piano Man Booker T. Jones ,The Runaway (MCA, 1989)Marc Jordan ,Mannequin Vivid Sound, (Warner Bros., 1978)The Keane Brothers ,The Keane Brothers (20th Century Records, 1977)Abraham Laboriel ,Dear Friends (Bluemoon, 1993)James Last ,Well Kept Secret (Polydor, 1975)Peggy Lee ,Norma Deloris Egstrom from Jamestown, North Dakota John Lennon ,Rock 'n' Roll Lori Lieberman ,A Piece of Time (Capitol, 1974)Claudine Longet ,Let's Spend the Night Together (Barnaby, 1972)Jeff Lorber ,Private Passion (Warner Bros., 1986)Elliot Lurie ,Elliot Lurie (Epic, 1975)Chuck Mangione ,70 Miles Young (A&M, 1982)Ray Manzarek ,The Golden Scarab Johnny Mathis ,A Special Part of Me Michael McDonald ,Motown Lonette McKee ,Lonette (Sussex, 1974)Carmen McRae ,Can't Hide Love (Blue Note, 1976)Anne Murray ,Together Teruo Nakamura ,Super Friends (Eastworld, 1985)Aaron Neville ,Warm Your Heart Olivia Newton-John ,Soul Kiss Dolly Parton ,9 to 5 and Odd Jobs Mike Post ,Television Theme Songs (Elektra, 1982)Boots Randolph ,Boots with Brass (Monument, 1970)Lou Rawls ,She's Gone (Bell, 1974)Gene Redding ,Blood Brother Haven (Capitol, 1974)Helen Reddy ,Helen Reddy The Righteous Brothers ,Give It to the People (Capitol, 1974)Minnie Riperton ,Adventures in Paradise Austin Roberts ,The Last Thing On My Mind (Chelsea, 1973)Linda Ronstadt ,Don't Cry Now Diana Ross ,Ross Buffy Sainte-Marie ,Sweet America Joey Scarbury ,America's Greatest Hero Diane Schuur ,The Gathering (Vanguard, 2011)Seals and Crofts ,Get Closer Marlena Shaw ,Who Is This Bitch, Anyway? Ben Sidran ,The Doctor Is in (Arista, 1977)Dan Siegel ,Dan Siegel (Elektra, 1982)Sonny & Cher ,Mama Was a Rock and Roll Singer, Papa Used to Write All Her Songs American Spring ,Spring Dusty Springfield ,Cameo Jim Stafford ,Not Just Another Pretty Foot (MGM, 1975)John Stewart ,Sunstorm Tavares ,Hard Core Poetry Cal Tjader ,Last Bolero in Berkeley (Fantasy, 1973)Allen Toussaint ,Motion (Warner Bros., 1978)Valdy ,Landscapes (Hayda, 1973)Frankie Valli ,Closeup Townes Van Zandt ,High, Low and In Between T-Bone Walker ,Very Rare (Reprise, 1973)Dionne Warwick ,Friends in Love Tim Weisberg ,Hurtwood Edge (A&M, 1972)Kirk Whalum ,The Promise (Columbia, 1989)Vanessa Williams ,The Sweetest Days Andy Williams ,Andy (Columbia, 1976)Lorna Wright,Circle of Love (Rocket Records, 1978) 1987:Larry Carlton Live 1988:Scrooged 1989:Star Licks Larry Carlton 1992:Star Licks Larry Carlton Vol. 2 1997:Larry Carlton Live at Montreal International Jazz Festival 2002:Ohne Filter (inakustik) 2002:Live at Montreal Jazz Festival (Eagle) 2004:Larry Carlton Recorded Live in Paris 2005: Carlton/Lukather Band –The Paris Concert (inakustik) 2007:Larry Carlton with Robben Ford Live in Osaka (335) - bonus DVD with CDLarry Carlton with Robben Ford Live in Tokyo 2008: Carlton, Ford + Autour Du Blues –The Paris Concert (inakustik) 2008: Carlton and the Sapphire Blues Band –The Paris Concert (inakustik) 2009: Carlton Trio –The Paris Concert (inakustik) 2004: Eric Clapton'sCrossroads Guitar Festival ^ Larry Carlton All music Retrieved 10 April 2025^a b c d e Colin Larkin , ed. (1992).The Guinness Encyclopedia of Popular Music Guinness Publishing . p. 417.ISBN 0-85112-939-0 ^a b c d e Skelly, Richard."Larry Carlton" .AllMusic . RetrievedDecember 1, 2016 . ^ "Top Adult Contemporary Songs of 1981 ••• Music VF, US & UK hits charts" .Musicvf.com .^ "The 100 Greatest Guitar Songs" .Rolling Stone . RetrievedMay 5, 2017 .{{cite magazine }}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link )^ Gress, Jesse (September 1, 2009)."10 Things You Gotta Do To Play Like Larry Carlton" .Guitar Player . RetrievedDecember 2, 2016 . ^ Heim, Chris (June 30, 1989)."Guitarist Larry Carlton Puts Tragic Shooting Behind Him" .Chicago Tribune . RetrievedDecember 2, 2016 . ^ "The Jazz King Credits" .AllMusic . RetrievedDecember 2, 2016 .^a b Heidt, John (May 2001)."Larry Carlton: The Return of Mr. 335" .Vintage Guitar . RetrievedDecember 20, 2011 . ^ Bolinger, John (July 2014)."Rig Rundown: Larry Carlton" .Premier Guitar . RetrievedJuly 14, 2014 . ^a b Heckman, Don (May 17, 1988)."Wounded Musician Rebounds on Positive Note" .Los Angeles Times . RetrievedMay 13, 2024 . ^a b c Columnist, Graham Rockingham Contributing (March 1, 2012)."Legendary guitarist was shot in a gang attack and got even better" .The Hamilton Spectator .ISSN 1189-9417 . RetrievedMay 13, 2024 . ^ "Travis Carlton" .Musicians Institute .^ "Larry Carlton:Billboard Hot 100" .Billboard ^ "Larry Carlton: Adult Contemporary" .Billboard ^ "Larry Carlton: Smooth Jazz Airplay" .Billboard
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