Born Carlton George in Jamaica on 10 May 1942 (age 81 years)
He is a Jamaican-British recording artist based in the UK
He spent his childhood in England playing football, and vocal training
He developed a passion for soul music and is a trained tenor voice, which he would display in church singing
He was the first Jamaican-born singer to have a No. 1 single in the U.S
His most famous song was rewritten and used for the 2008 animated film “Kung Fu Panda”
He is best known for his 1974 disco single “Kung Fu Fighting” which won him a Grammy Award for Best Selling Single
Our guest was originally hired to sing “I Want to Give You My Everything” but the record company needed something to record for the B-side, and he was asked if he had any lyrics they could use. After having spent over two hours recording the A-side and then taking a break, “Kung Fu Fighting” was recorded quickly in the last ten minutes of studio time and in only two takes
He did release an album called “Kung Fu Fighting and Other Great Love Songs”
The original lyrics are considered racist by today’s standards and were completely rewritten for the 2008 animated film “Kung Fu Panda”
He is considered a one-hit-wonder in the U.S., but he recorded 10 singles and three albums though none of them came close to the success of “Kung Fu Fighting.”
The single sold 11 million copies worldwide, making it one of the best-selling singles of all time
His hits are: “Dance the Kung Fu” and “Kung Fu Fighting.”
