Remembering the Life of Carl Anderson: “There Was So Much Love”

Today is the 74th anniversary of the birth of the late, great American singer and actor Carl Anderson (1945-2004), whom I've been honoring throughout February – the month of both his birth and death.

This honoring continues today with both a quote from Veth Javier, who attended Carl's February 28, 2004 memorial service at Agape Spiritual Center in Beverly Hills, California, and a beautiful tribute video by Daniela Spaziani which highlights Carl's celebrated association with Jesus Christ Superstar and which was first posted on YouTube this time last year on the 73rd anniversary of Carl's birth.

Carl was so loved and he gave so much of himself. He took so many people under his wings. . . . There was so much love.

– Veth Javier

NOTE: The song that's sung by Carl and used in this tribute video is “Sarah,” from the musical The Civil War. It's available on the 2-disc CD, The Civil War: The Complete Work (1999). About the song: Corporal William (Bill) McEwen from Minnesota writes a letter to his wife Sarah from the battlefield. He tells her how much he loves and misses her, that every time he closes his eyes, he imagines memories of being with her and, even now, his heart is there. Immediately after, Sarah receives a black-bordered condolence telegram; Bill has died in battle. She vows that she will struggle on to raise their son and survive in the midst of tragedy for "The Honor of Your Name."

The Wild Reed's February 2019 Celebration of Carl Anderson:
• Remembering and Celebrating Carl Anderson
• Carl Anderson: “Pure Quality”
• Carl Anderson's Judas in Jesus Christ Superstar: “The Gold Standard”
• Carl Anderson's Judas: “A Two-Dimensional Popular Villain Turned Into a Complex Human Being”
• Carl Anderson: “Artist and Vocalist Extraordinaire”
• Playbill Remembers Carl

For more of Carl at The Wild Reed, see:
• Carl Anderson: “One of the Most Enjoyable Male Vocalists of His Era”
• With Love Inside
• Carl Anderson
• Acts of Love . . . Carl's and Mine
• Introducing . . . the Carl Anderson Appreciation Group
• Forbidden Lover
• Revisiting a Groovy Jesus (and a Dysfunctional Theology)

Related Off-site Links:
A Profile of Carl Anderson – Part I: A Broadway Legend with Lynchburg Roots – Holly Phelps (LynchburgMuseum.org, May 12, 2015)
A Profile of Carl Anderson – Part II: The Legend Lives On – Holly Phelps (LynchburgMuseum.org,June 10, 2015)
Carl Anderson – Jazz Legend: The Official Website
Carl Anderson Memorial Page
Carl Anderson at AllMusic.com – Ron Wynn (AllMusic.com)
Carl Anderson Biography – Chris Rizik (Soul Tracks)