Carl Douglas

Carlton George Douglas (born 10 May 1942) is a British-Jamaican singer best known for his 1974 disco single "Kung Fu Fighting". During his career, Douglas released three studio albums, including Kung Fu Fighting and Other Great Love Songs (1974), which peaked at No. 37 on the US Billboard 200 and peaked at the top of the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart. He also recorded the single "Dance the Kung Fu", and was featured on a remix of "Kung Fu Fighting" by fellow British act Bus Stop. His songs have been covered by Jack Black and CeeLo Green, and have been sampled by Kanye West and Nas.

Early life

Carlton George Douglas was born on 10 May 1942 in Kingston. He later lived in the U.S. state of California before relocating to London as a teenager. He spent his childhood in England playing football, and vocal training. In his youth, he developed a passion for soul music (citing Sam Cooke and Otis Redding as his biggest influences) and a trained tenor voice, which he would display in church singing various religious songs.

Career

1964–1972: Career beginnings

In 1964, Douglas released his debut single with the Big Stampede, "Crazy Feeling". Upon its release, the single charted...

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