A Tribute to Eric Carmen (1949-2024)

Join Pete Pardo for a tribute to the late Eric Carmen, vocalist/songwriter/guitarist of the Raspberries as well as a successful solo artist, who passed away on March 10, 2024 at the age of 74. #ericcarmen
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[@jeremyhayden2878]

Being from the Cleveland area, this hit hard. He was to us what Bruce is to Jersey. The Raspberries were always true to themselves at a time when a lot of music pundits and hipsters were quick to dismiss them. Eric’s voice and writing skills were at the core of their power and he had those in spades. RIP Eric….you will be sorely missed!

[@user-uf9kn8xq5m]

Great to see a tribute to Eric from a "real person" who obviously was a fan too. Really genuine. Thank you❤

[@rhondawilkins_]

Dearest Eric, If you can see this,we,your fans are so grateful for the impact you had on each of us through your musicianship,songwriting, production,grand piano 🎹 playing,guitar, your band "The Raspberries, your Solo work, ARISTA with Clive Davis. You had a beautiful soul and we will MISS you dearly. My condolences to your wife Amy and children Kathryn and Clay, and your brother Fred. See you on the Heaven-side composing music for the Heavenly choir! Thank you for sharing your talent, generosity, and music with all of us. Peace & Love~❤

[@jeffreyg607]

Rhonda, just beautiful ❤Many more to come in the next 5-10 years. Ugh. High School 74-78 AMAZING TIMES AND MUSIC!

[@christophercoles4401]

Eric Carmen was a brilliant musician, singer and songwriter both with The Raspberries and as a solo artist. He was a pioneer of the genre that came to be called Power Pop. He was a versatile artist who was equally great at gossamer ballads and raucous rockers. He leaves behind a legacy of decades of great music. We're all better for him having been part of our lives. R.I.P. Eric 🎸✌️

[@treff9226]

Beautifully said - just perfect! Those Raspberries albums are pure pop perfection! Eric's vocals just reeled you in, the man was gifted! Have heard Go All The Way six thousand and three times......still not enough! RIP ERIC CARMEN, LEGEND.

[@christophercoles4401]

@@treff9226 That song never gets old! It never fails to take me back to my youth, and make me smile.

[@Vonhoganschmidt-13]

MONEY DOWN IS MY FAVORITE.

[@LouieLouie3]

Sad day. As a musician he had such an influence on me. From the Raspberries to his solo career. Such a gifted musician and songwriter. I was lucky enough to see him perform with Ringo Starr as one of his All Starr’s. RIP Eric.

[@timjonesvideos]

RIP Eric, what a voice. Everyone take another listen to some Raspberries today, its great power pop.

[@davidschecter5247]

As a former Clevelander and a power pop nut, this one hits so very hard. What a magnificent songwriter he was, obviously influenced by The Beatles and Brian Wilson, but with his own unique voice and approach to music. Who else could set a nursery rhyme to music and create a masterpiece? ("Boats Against the Current"). And "Overnight Sensation" is one of the most amazing and brilliantly produced songs in rock and roll history. It's too bad he wasn't more prolific, but the ten albums released by the Raspberries and himself provide endless delights. Such a major loss to the world of music.

[@jeffreyflint6286]

What a drag. I loved his music solol and with the Raspberries. RIP brother.

[@garryford1216]

Pete, I watch your channel daily. This was a very heartfelt tribute to the wonderful Eric Carmen. Very nicely done.👍🙏

[@shaunogle530]

Wonderful singer and songwriter. RIP Eric Carmen.

[@user-el6ds6il8m]

I know I was 4 years old & I heard "Go All The Way" in my parents car & loved it. Later on It was "All By Myself" & Change Of Heart". He was a great singer/songwriter. RIP

[@flitebiscuit1592]

Genuinely heartfelt tribute. Thank you. I have all Raspberries and Eric's vinyl including rare promos. Lots of posters and clippings, too. My favorite male singer. This really hit me hard.

[@irishflink7324]

I really Love when he sings the song " That's Rock and Roll "

[@garyjoyce2160]

As usual/ a classy tribute. Thanks again Pete 👍💯

[@gaiaeternal5131]

So sorry that Eric's no longer with us. I've been a big fan of his solo career and The Raspberries over the years, even though he/they were almost unknown in the UK (All By Myself was the only hit here). Two big pop/rockers have left us this week (RIP Karl Wallinger of World Party & The Waterboys)

[@christophercoles4401]

I hadn't heard about Karl Wallinger passing. I love his work with The Waterboys and especially, World Party. Another sad loss. R.I.P. Karl

[@markandmandyd7445]

Sad such a loss.. Sympathies and Blessings To Eric ., His family and friends.. As well as everyone who has loved his music over the years..

[@terrymann1341]

A nice tribute there Pete to a great Musician who himself influenced so many artists like Matthew Sweet, The Bangles, REM and a lot of the Paisley Underground bands of the 80's. I can only reiterate what you said there about him in tribute. Over here in the UK on or around the 9th/10th march we also lost Kurt Wallinger formerly of The Waterboys, and his own band World Party. He was 66. Like Eric he was a singer song writer and multi instrumentalist, and wrote the Song "She's The One" which went on to be a massive world wide hit for Robbie Williams in the late 90's. We have lost two great songsmiths this past weekend, the only way we can honour them both is to play those great records these two very talented guys made...

[@treff9226]

Well said! Eric was a very gifted musician and Karl was also brilliant! Gonna be blasting some Raspberries and World Party music this week! Greats like these two will live on through their incredible music.

[@alanstrom2221]

Matthew Sweet is one of my favourite musician of all time.

[@treff9226]

Mine too! His sense of melody and song structure are phenomenal, and he's able to rock out pretty hard while keeping his music full of great hooks and sonics! Mathew Sweet is one of the few artists where I simply buy his albums, no sampling songs necessary, you just know you're getting top shelf music, all day, every day! That GIRLFRIEND album started it off for me, it's a freakin' melodic masterpiece! ​@@alanstrom2221

[@melaniethurber5117]

I love a lot of Eric Carmen’s music

[@treff9226]

The Raspberries were power pop perfection! Their catalog is LOADED with ear candy, their brilliance cannot be denied. Thank you Eric Carmen for filling my ears with the good stuff. RIP brother.

[@richalderson6069]

Eric knew how to write a great pop song and he could really rock when the occasion demanded. Definitely a gifted man. RIP

[@Weebill007]

He was a great singer but even more so a great musician. RIP

[@stevetici2668]

Also RIP to Karl Wallinger from The Waterboys & World Party who died on the same day. Had the one big hit Ship Of Fools.

[@rsqyoung]

No matter what genre you're into, if you don't recognise or know of Karl Wallinger you can't really love music or genius, even though he may have been a bit woke... but I hope not, still, everyone's got some sort of flaw.

[@gregwatson3300]

I hadn't heard. I played Goodbye Jumbo daily back in my youth. Rest in peace.

[@treff9226]

Oh man! Didn't know Karl had passed......huge fan of World Party, he was just a brilliant musician, could do it all! Cherish those World Party albums, so damn consistent and filled with memorable, melody filled tunes. Karl will live on through his gift of music for all of us music lovers! RIP Karl Wallinger.🙏

[@treff9226]

Consummate musician, simply a master player, writer, arranger.....Karl could do it all, seamlessly! Huge loss - music lovers make sure to check out World Party, incredibly strong, melody filled albums, led by Karl's genius! RIP Karl Wallinger.

[@treff9226]

Goodbye Jumbo is a masterpiece, played it on a loop! Every World Party album is strong from top to bottom, Karl was a legendary talent and a treasure for all music fans.

[@sylvanmcmillan6751]

The Raspberries music will always be Top Shelf. Eric will be miss but never 4- gotten. A fan 4- Life i shall remain. RIP my brother.

[@tatedavis2016]

Going to blast some Raspberries today. Sad loss.

[@redrocker7857]

Thank you Pete for a great tribute to a great artist.The Raspberries also did Pop Art live in 2017.Really good live album!

[@EhJayEh]

Thanks for doing this one Pete - I needed it. Gosh, I remember the thrill of coming home with the glorious gold-black album cover of the first Eric Carmen solo LP in 1975. Then along came Boats Against the Current. Before that "I Wanna Be With You" was the first 45 single I bought and brought home - special place for me Mr Carmen. God Bless.

[@rogertemple7193]

Eric had a great pop rock band the Raspberries and a successful solo career i was a big fan of Eric both solo and with the Raspberries sad to lose yet another rock legend R.I.P. Eric. 🎵🎶🎼🎤🎸🎸🎹🥁🎼🎶🎵

[@ledzep9501]

The great bass beast, the great T.M. STEVENS has also left our world... R.I.P.

[@jeffreyg607]

Bassist on Billy Squier's Enough Is Enough, too!

[@threeofakindbygeneraldean3007]

I can remember, let's pretend (most of second album), tonight, ecstasy, all by myself, etc. Underrated composer + vocalist; pianist-extraordinaire too.

[@BrentIraEnman]

Bummed about Eric, really dig the Raspberries. He was a great crooner but also had an awesome rock voice when he wanted to RIP

[@caroleajac1961]

The news of Eric's death made me cry. Eric was one of my teenage faves who i still listened too. Totally underated as a singer/songwriter. 💜

[@ilj1259]

I saw Eric during the reunion tour with the original band... Amazing talent will be missed..

[@treff9226]

Man, wish I could've seen that reunion tour, heard it was incredible! Good for you, support the GREATS of music!

[@Rmesick-hm6yq]

RIP. Raspberries were great.

[@jazzpunk]

Love the Raspberries! Remember the Scratch 'n' Sniff cover? "Go All The Way", Power Pop with semi-obscene lyrics, quasi-Entwhistle bass, rockin' tune. Nice job having the cd albums...mine is a box set. RIP, sir...

[@maxthepupp]

Plenty of REALLY great songs! The Raspberries were excellent proto Power Pop along with Badfinger and Big Star. RIP Eric

[@anthonybomberry9935]

I love that mans music

[@anthonybomberry9935]

All by myself up thete with imagine by Mr. John

[@logancollins7097]

RIP Eric truly one of the greats! Playing my copy of Fresh on vinyl soon!

[@DCToonTime]

Fine tribute. One of the main architects of power pop and a fine adult contemporary artist too. RIP Eric and thanks for all the great music.

[@Jojo-yl4qx]

I love hungry eyes .. no matter how novelty it may be . R.i.p

[@tomedmonson501]

I loved listening the Raspberries back in the 70s. For some weird reason, I can remember exactly when I heard the news that they had broken up. The Capital Collectors series CD for the Raspberries is really good, with the original mix that sounds like something optimized for car radios.

[@wolf1977]

I have that collection too - excellent!

[@captainbeyond7469]

Rest in eternal peace good sir. You and The Raspberries but the power into Pop. 😢

[@billbez7465]

Eric is one of my favorite artists. "Boats Against the Current" is in my Top 10 of all-time favorite albums. I was sad to hear about his passing, but he left an outstanding musical legacy.

[@JWD1992]

Damn shame. I admit I never really dove into his solo albums, but I'll do that now. I love the four Raspberries albums.

[@markwalker8589]

I used to see the raspberries at clubs around Cleveland, they burned raspberry inscence before coming out. A fun band at the time.

[@iluvpepi]

Besides his greatest hits, I love “Change of Heart”.

[@liveontvmusic7430]

Yeah he has a ton a memorable hits definitely will be missed🙏

[@billphelps5611]

Wow this is a shocker. I really love the Raspberries and Eric's solo stuff. Sad to hear that he passed away. Party's Over is a banger and a fitting song to blast on my stereo. Thanks for the tribute Pete.

[@kayfimt7769]

Wrote some terrific power pop. Make Me Lose Control’s chorus is an all time classic.

[@TeddyB-gw5gx]

Great tribute to a True Artist and Legend. God bless his memory 🙏. Eric Carmen.

[@andrewcox904]

He will be missed. Great Pop singer

[@kpoleary1]

Eric was a huge Brian Wilson/Beach Boys fan and recorded with Brian's band in 2014. "Hey, Deanie" was a favorite of mine.

[@WineSippingCowboy]

40 years 🎂 since Footloose was released. Written by Dean Pitchford. Almost Paradise was written by him and the late Eric Carmen. He has a reunion with Chris Penn, 1 of the actors from that movie 🎥 . 🙏 RIP.

[@jamesmicucci7028]

Thank you Pete, I hadn't heard the news yet until I saw your notification. In the Raspberries, he could power pop with the best of them. RIP.

[@jerryattwooll4864]

Talented singer, songwriter and musician. RIP Eric. Condolences to his family and friends.

[@williamlangan5902]

I think he wrote That’s Rock And Roll which was made a hit by Shaun Cassidy. RIP, Eric. You were talented and you’ll be missed.

[@raythackston1960]

After the 4th album they broke up and that was it. Everyone said they would never reform (Erics words) and they didn't until they did the "Live" record from the reunion tour. I loved him solo...but never as much as the Raspberries...some of my all time favorite songs. RIP Eric.

[@carlosdanger6129]

RIP ERIC... HE ALSO WROTE THE SONG "ALMOST PARADISE" FOR ANN WILSON AND MIKE RENO

[@SWEETFA24]

Thanks Pete. I'm feeling very numb . Raspberries are one of my top 5 bands. The song Starting Over should have went to # 1 on the charts.

[@Vonhoganschmidt-13]

This guy and the entire Band were Tremendous. Great written and played Songs.

[@dougjarvie12]

I saw Eric open for the Sweet in Toronto mid 70's at Massey Hall. Also Paul Nelson. manager guitarist in Johnny Winter's last band died March 10 suddenly from a heart attack. Safe and effective my ass.

[@Stewieboy1995]

All about money with these people, they don’t care about others. It’s not wrong to disagree with these people, they’re sick and evil

[@treff9226]

Are you referring to COVID booster shots? Is that what your "safe and effective" sentence is related to?

[@dougjarvie12]

You are 100% correct@@treff9226

[@dougjarvie12]

@@treff9226 Yes i am

[@treff9226]

​Thanks for response, I have heard and read so damn much about COVID shots, I have had all the booster shots until these latest, as I'm not as convinced of their effectiveness and now have more doubts about how safe they are. I mean who really knows?!? Curious as to why you brought that up, though, after writing about Eric Carmen? Oh, and Johnny Winter kicked all ass! He was a BEAST! ​@@dougjarvie12

[@lensquires6580]

Thanks Pete for a Great story and Great memories. I was at Charlotte High School in Rochester, NY in the 1970s when the Raspberries came out. I still remember buying their first self-titled "Vinyl" album with the "Scratch and Sniff" sticker on the front. Yes, if you scratched it, it smelled like Raspberries! They had a lot of great songs but my two favorites were, "I Can Remember," and "If You Change Your Mind." I had lost a high school sweet heart back then, and it seemed every one of Eric's words resonated with the feelings I was going through. After Eric left the band for his solo career in the late 1970s, I believe it was the Summer of 1975, I saw the remaining band with Jim Bonfanti on drums, Wally Bryson on lead guitar, and John Aleksic on bass doing a show at the Hilton High School gymnasium in Hilton, NY. Thanks Pete, Thanks Eric, Thanks Raspberries for Great memories... ♥✝🙏

[@tomedmonson501]

The Raspberries sometimes sounded (in a good way) like a great rock band playing great pop songs. Eric had a hell of a voice, and an incredible for songwriting.

[@rockinronist]

I have their debut album with the scratch and sniff Raspberries sticker on the shrink. Still smells like Raspberries 50+ years later!

[@dean828]

Eric Carmen also co-wrote "Almost Paradise"... sung by Mike Reno & Ann Wilson...

[@TheMafrand]

There is nothing wrong witn a good pop song and Hungry Eyes is one of them. I love that song.

[@truckerkevthepaidtourist]

Raspberries were really good pop rock band And of course before Celine Dion would butcher it with her screaming and histrionics; all by myself is another classic 70s soft rock ballads still Awesome. 🙏🏻 I've said it before and I'll say it again you got to remember fot fans of Classic Rock and Hard Rock are idols of the 60s and 70s are now full-blown senior citizens. All we can do is enjoy them while we still have them and say goodbye when they go home. that being a side note we lost another one the other day at age 66 Karl wallinger Who was a part of two of my favorite 80s alt-rock bands world party and the Waterboys.

[@timlodge8267]

Hungry Eyes from Dirty Dancing soundtrack.

[@marktait2371]

ive heard the song girl.i dated 80s liked the soundtrack.had the vinly when mtn. lake was privately owned we had permission.to swim back big rock we picked up trash other jackasses had left so owner said yall come whenever just help clean up so we did my cousin brother and i went up to swim guy stopper us they were filming outdoor scene at the gazebo guy said wait be quiet so we watched for like 20 30.minutes then went on to swim back out later we partied with the crew at bburg marriott they came on sat night my brothers ex wife then girlfriend had a photo with patrick he was gracious i have an original copy giving to my younget sister was big when she was in school yeh dj mentioner this morning he haf passed ironic today mt. lake pembroke has no water we swimmed and paddle boats

[@iainhead9898]

Eric was never a big deal over here in the UK, and most people over here would probably struggle to name many of his songs beyond Hungry Eyes from Dirty Dancing which, ironically, despite being his most famous song, was actually written by Frank Previte from cult AOR band FRANKE AND THE KNOCKOUTS (Franke also wrote and won an Oscar for (Ive Had) The Time Of My Life but thats another story!) RIP Eric, thanks for all those great songs...

[@treff9226]

Surprised The Raspberries many brilliant tunes didn't connect with you over there! They had a gift for melody and strong hooks, while rocking out with conviction and attitude, and Eric's voice was pure gold, as you know! They reminded me of a certain band named after an insect😁!

[@iainhead9898]

@@treff9226 WASP?

[@treff9226]

@@iainhead9898 Lol! The Beatles! W.A.S.P. were a touch heavier than The Raspberries, who I believe had less fire and skulls on stage😁! Thanks for the greatest rock music ever made, we invented it here in America, but you guys perfected it! Want to travel to UK and visit some of the famous rock and roll hotspots......Abbey Road for sure! Take care and YOU GUYS ROCK!

[@iainhead9898]

@@treff9226 Hey, you knew all along I was only kidding right? I certainly don't hear much Blackie Lawless in The Raspberries...

[@treff9226]

I gotta say I thought you were serious! Well done, you had me just staring at the word WASP! I am into a lot of different genres of music, but hard rock and metal are my go to's, so I thought maybe with your WASP comment, you were also a metal head. 😁🤘🎸​@@iainhead9898

[@josephsavich2451]

😢

[@wolf1977]

Great great stuff with the Raspberries (seminal power pop), not as good solo but there were some high points. Got started in a band called Cyrus Erie (aka The Quick) but don't have anything by them (they may never have recorded an album, I've only seen a 1968 single), the tracks "Sparrow" & "Get the Message" are out on YT (pretty good)... He & Wally Bryson from The Choir (Artifact: The Unreleased Album contains their 1968/69 recordings-pretty good collection) join up to form the Raspberries - to me quite possibly the 2nd best power pop band ever (after Cheap Trick) - if we're not counting Badfinger. So many great tunes, their s/t, Fresh, Side Three & Starting Over are great records. Their 2007 Live On Sunset Strip & 2017's Pop Art Live are really good too, also 2000's Refreshed. My pick for standout Raspberries track is "Overnight Sensation" (also their longest track after the beautiful "I Can Remember"). "I Wanna Be With You", "Ecstacy" & "Go All The Way" are massive - pretty much perfect pop songs. 'Dark Horse' picks = "I Saw The Light" & "Come Around and See Me". "Tonight" is another one. RIP!😢

[@martyfly8619]

Story I heard ! Before Eric remarried the news lady, he moved back toward Cleveland to help raise his children with his ex wife. If true, that says everything about a man's character.

[@fernandoriveros1372]

Man! I feel so guilty hitting te "Like" button when a sad news comes. But your job is Just magnificent. Thank You Pete! You deserve the like and the story a big dislike 😢

[@ianbrown3304]

Full formula .....Beatles+Who+Byrds× Beach Boys = Raspberries ... mathematics dont lie.

[@treff9226]

💯!

[@careful__Icarus]

Jeezus Christ on Crutches I read the name too fast thought it said Eric Clapton. Almost had a frikken heart attack.

[@jonholland6067]

I bet Eric Carmen is sorry to trouble you

[@treff9226]

Really not cool to put out a comment like this, really disrespectful to Eric Carmen, his family, friends and fans all over the world.

[@georgesawtooth2214]

Grunge in the 90's destroyed many great artists. My guess is that grunge impacted his career also. Hungry Eyes and Make Me Lose Control are amazing songs.

[@matthewclark9652]

& we might lose guitarist Wally Bryson but who knows??

[@wolf1977]

Bryson's great. Besides The Choir & Raspberries: Fotomaker (s/t, Vis-A-Vis), Flyer, Tattoo (1976 s/t), The Secret (some tracks posted to YT)...Also some ties between the Raspberries & James Gang

[@Vonhoganschmidt-13]

WALLY BRYSON IS UNDERRATED

[@Vonhoganschmidt-13]

Money Down is a Great song.

[@mikesyria1787]

Not in rock n roll Hall of shame/Fame . But Madonna is I don't get it and rolling Stone magazine makes great toilet paper

[@scottnorris8071]

Wasn’t his Music like Van Hagar?