ABOUT
The Raspberries were a relatively short-lived but influential rock band from Cleveland, Ohio considered to be among the major early proponents of the power pop style. Formed in 1970, the original lineup consisted of Eric Carmen, Jim Bonfanti, Wally Bryson, and John Aleksic, with some personnel changes along the way. Aleksic left the band at the end of 1970, and Dave Smalley came on board shortly thereafter. Smalley and Bonfanti left The Raspberries in 1973 and were replaced by Scott McCarl and Michael McBride. Carmen served as the band's songwriter and primary lead vocalist, with Bryson, Smalley, and McCarl also contributing lead vocals to selected songs.
The Raspberries debuted on the Pop/Rock charts in 1972 with "Don't Want To Say Goodbye." The band's popularity took off later that year with the release of the then-risque "Go All The Way," a power pop classic which became a Top 5 hit and eventually went gold. This was followed by several other hits that included "I Wanna Be With You" (1972), "Let's Pretend" (1973), "Tonight" (1973), and "Overnight Sensation (Hit Record)" (1974). "Go All The Way" later became a part of the soundtrack to three movies: "Almost Famous" (2000), "Dark Shadows" (2012), and "Guardians Of The Galaxy" (2014).
After The Raspberries disbanded in 1975, Eric Carmen went on to pursue a highly successful solo career with a string of hits that included "All By Myself" (1976). Three of the band's original members - Wally Bryson, Dave Smalley, and Scott McCarl - recorded a new album in 2000 titled "Refreshed" credited to The Raspberries. In November 2004, Carmen, Bryson, Smalley, and another original member, Jim Bonfanti, gave a Raspberries reunion concert at the opening of the Cleveland branch of the House of Blues nightclub chain. The newly re-formed band followed up with a 2005 mini-tour across the U.S., a VH1 Classic special, and a concert broadcast on XM Satellite Radio. While on tour, The Raspberries recorded a live album at The House of Blues in Hollywood, CA titled "Live On Sunset Strip" which was released in 2007 on CD and DVD.
MERCHANDISE
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- Raspberries - CDs, vinyl, & more - Amazon.com
- Raspberries - Digital music - Amazon.com
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SONGS
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Raspberries
- Go All The Way 1972
- I Wanna Be With You 1972
- Let's Pretend 1973
- Overnight Sensation (Hit Record) 1974
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