Mel Carter – Bio, Career, Is He Married? Net Worth, Where Is He Today?

Mel Carter is an American singer and actor whose music has moved across generations. Best known for his 1965 Hold Me, Thrill Me, kiss Me, he is a generational sensation. His music peaked in the 60s and 70’s did not stop him from entering the millennium with easy listening songs. Many people remember his T.V roles in Marcus Welby, M.D.

Mel is one of the people that shaped American pop ballad music in the mid 60s. He reached the top 10 position on the Billboard and ever since his music is still appreciated.

Despite his successful releases, a lot of people are not aware of who he really is and what he has been up to.

Who Is Mel Carter?

Melvin Carter was born on April 22 1939 in Cincinnati, Ohio. His music has been a defining part of his life. Making the airwaves in the 60s, he continues to be one of the singers that influenced ballad music. He is currently 85 years old.

His grandmother was an influence to his career in music. She held him up at the age of four to sing into the mic at a penny arcade booth. This may have been what fed his curiosity into following a music path.

Years down the line, the initial start in an arcade booth bred  a legend so big his recording remain unchanged. His rendition of Hold Me, Thrill Me, Kiss Me made the song one of the greatest records of all time. Despite recording his version over 45 years ago, it remains a must-listen-to song. A version of the song covered by U2 was used in the film, Batman Forever.

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His Career And Net Worth

Mel started his music career at a young age. To make it work, he studied singing under the guidance of ‘little’ Jimmy Scott from the age of 16. He met a lot of great  influences in his formative years. He was first discovered by Quincy Jones who signed him to Mercury. But Mel did not make it big while at Mercury. He had the opportunity to work with Sam Cooke under the Derby Records.

His name made it beyond the studio to the hearts of many with his 1960s hits. Starting from 1963, he came to the limelight with his first hit. At the time he in his 20s.

When a Boy Falls in Love came out to great success. The 24-year-old Mel did not know that this song was going to be part of his life legacy at the time.

It was with Imperial records that Mel made his area of specialisation pop ballad. At the time his cover of  Hold Me, Thrill Me, Kiss Me made it to no.8 on Top 10 Billboard Hot 100 Hit and still remains his popular song. The 1965 song was a huge hit and it earned him a gold disc having sold over a million copies. Other songs followed and found spots on the Top 40 list even though non had success like it.

His other successful songs include, All of a Sudden My Heart Sings. Mel entered the millennium with great expectation. He appeared on Doo Wop 51 in 2001 and Magic Moments: The Best of 50s Pop.

His net worth is placed between $1-$5 million. He has put in over half of his life into his music career. His earnings come from his music and acting roles.

Mel Had An Acting Career

His acting career ran alongside that of music, he began taking roles in the late 60s. Mel’s greatest success was a result of his music. He featured in the T.V. programs like Quincy, M.E. and Marcus Welby, M.D. Mel had movie roles in 227, American Raspberry and Angel, among many other works.

The new millennium was a period of investments for many and a time to bury the past. Mel having appeared on the DVD of many PBS special was putting energy into his career.

He performed I’m Gonna Sit Right Down and Write Myself a Letter as tribute to Billy William. Mel also performed Its All in the Game.

Mel Carter Marriage

For a man who spent more than half of his life in the lights of fame and popularity, many imagine a great love story somewhere. Currently in his 80’s, was Mel ever married and what is the secret to his success as a musician. These are interesting questions, yet, there are no easy answers.

Personal details about Mel’s life is not known and his wife is not known as well.

Where Is He Today?

Mel Carter is alive and living his life quietly. He released about three albums between 2010 and now. He co-wrote a track for the 2017 film, Film Stars Dont Die in Liverpool. The film is a depiction of Paul Turner’s memoir of same name. It tells the real life story of his affair with Gloria Grahame. It showed the last days of Gloria trying to keep love in the midst of cancer.

Mel Carter Live! In Hollywood in 2010 was a crowning moment for the ballad legend. The Other Standards came out in 2011. He and Lenny Welch recorded The Legends of Rock and  Roll and forms part of his Mel Continues collection.  In 2017, If I Didn’t Care from Mel Continues was nominated as 2017 cover song of the year.

Complete profile of Mel Carter