Eric Carmen, whose emotive vocals rose above the powerful guitars of the 1970s power-pop band the Raspberries before transitioning into a soft rock style that defined the 1980s music scene, has passed away at the age of 74.
His wife, Amy Carmen, announced his passing on his website. She did not disclose the cause of death, only stating that he passed away “in his sleep, over the weekend.”
The Raspberries emerged from Cleveland in 1972 with their self-titled debut album, complete with a scratch-and-sniff sticker that smelled like raspberries, along with their smash hit “Go All the Way,” a daring song sung from a young woman’s perspective.
The band’s unique fusion of ’60s vocal harmonies with ’70s heavy guitar riffs helped pioneer the power pop genre, with their signature song being hailed as “the quintessential power pop anthem of all time.”
Their second album, “Fresh,” released in the same year, reached No. 36 on the charts. It contained two Top 40 hits, “I Wanna Be With You” and “Let’s Pretend.”
Characterized by their coordinated outfits and clean image, the Raspberries were sometimes dismissed as outdated.
After the band disbanded in 1975, Eric Carmen pursued a solo career, landing a hit with “All by Myself,” which peaked at No. 2.
In the 1980s, Carmen found success with several hits from movie soundtracks, including “Almost Paradise” from “Footloose” and “Hungry Eyes” from “Dirty Dancing.” His song “Make Me Lose Control” reached No. 3 in 1988.
Over the years, Carmen’s songs were covered by a diverse range of artists, solidifying his impact on the music industry. He also joined Ringo Starr’s All-Starr Band in 1989.
The Raspberries reunited in 2004, with a live album released in 2017 featuring a performance from their tour. Filmmaker Cameron Crowe, who featured their hit “Go All the Way” in his film “Almost Famous,” wrote the album’s liner notes.
Eric Carmen reflected on the Raspberries’ impact, noting that while some appreciated their music, others did not. Despite this, their influence continued to grow in the world of rock music.
He shared a memorable encounter with Bruce Springsteen, where they bonded over their mutual admiration for each other’s work, highlighting the lasting impact of the Raspberries on fellow musicians.