Eric Carman
August 11, 1949 – March 11*, 2024
As reported by KiMi Robinson in USA Today, Eric Carmen, the lead singer and songwriter for the power-pop group the Raspberries, known for hits like “All By Myself” and “Hungry Eyes,” has passed away at the age of 74.
The cause of his death or *actual date of his passing has not been disclosed. The Raspberries, formed in 1970, gained fame for their coordinated outfits at a time when such fashion was uncommon in the music scene. Their album Fresh in 1972 was their most successful, reaching No. 36 on the charts and spawning hits like “I Wanna Be With You” and “Let’s Pretend.”
After the band disbanded in 1975 due to creative differences, Carmen continued his musical journey as a solo artist, producing iconic tracks through the ’70s and ’80s. His self-titled debut album featured the popular song “All By Myself,” which reached No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100. This song gained further recognition through its inclusion in various films, such as “To Die For,” “Clueless,” and “Bridget Jones’s Diary.”
Carmen’s influence extended beyond his solo career; his compositions were also featured in notable soundtracks. “Almost Paradise,” co-written by Carmen, was part of the Grammy-nominated Footloose soundtrack. Another hit, “Hungry Eyes,” gained prominence through its inclusion in “Dirty Dancing” and spent 25 weeks on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, peaking at No. 4.
In 2004, Carmen and the Raspberries reunited for several performances, leading to shows across the country and the release of the album Live on Sunset Strip. Their influence on the power-pop genre was recognized by music legend Bruce Springsteen, who hailed them as masters of the genre.
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