Born Carl O'Neil Little at the Queen Charlotte's Hospital, Shepherd's Bush, London, he was brought up and lived in Wembley, Middlesex for most of his life with his sister Carole.
His fellow townsmen[clarification needed] included peers Keith Moon, Ginger Baker and Charlie Watts, all of whom would find fame with the same instrument.
Little was called up in 1958 to do National Service in the Royal Fusiliers (City of London Regiment) Corps of Drums, serving in Kenya and Malta, and he was singled out to become head drummer due to his loud playing.
[citation needed] He also played a few gigs with the young Rolling Stones and was asked by Brian Jones to join permanently before they hired Charlie Watts as their official drummer[3] in January 1963.
Carlo and his All Stars recorded an album, which also featured Ron Wood, Jeff Beck, Long John Baldry, Matthew Fisher, Simon Bell and the Chanter Sisters.