Eric Carmen

Eric Howard Carmen (August 11, 1949 – March 2024) was an American singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist. He was born in Cleveland, Ohio, to a family of Russian Jewish immigrants and grew up in Lyndhurst, Ohio. His musical aptitude was evident from an early age; by the age of three, he was enrolled in the Dalcroze Eurhythmics program at the Cleveland Institute of Music. He began violin lessons at six and was playing piano and writing his own songs by age eleven.

The Raspberries

In 1970, Carmen co-founded the power pop group the Raspberries. The band's classic lineup included Carmen as the lead vocalist and primary songwriter, Wally Bryson on guitar, Dave Smalley on bass, and Jim Bonfanti on drums. The Raspberries were known for their melodic rock sound, influenced by bands like The Beatles and The Who. Their biggest hit was "Go All the Way," which reached the top 5 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1972. Other notable singles include "I Wanna Be With You," "Let's Pretend," and "Overnight Sensation (Hit Record)." The band released four albums before they disbanded in 1975 due to creative differences.

Solo Career

Following the breakup of the Raspberries, Carmen launched a successful solo career in 1975, shifting his focus towards soft rock and power ballads. His self-titled debut album featured the international hit "All by Myself," which was based on a melody from Sergei Rachmaninoff's Piano Concerto No. 2. The song reached number two on the Billboard Hot 100. His follow-up single, "Never Gonna Fall in Love Again," also performed well.

Soundtrack Success and Later Years

Carmen's career experienced a resurgence in the late 1980s. He co-wrote "Almost Paradise" for the 1984 film Footloose, which became a top ten hit. In 1987, his song "Hungry Eyes" was featured in the blockbuster movie Dirty Dancing, reaching number four on the Billboard Hot 100. The following year, "Make Me Lose Control" climbed to number three on the charts. In 2004, the original members of the Raspberries reunited for a series of successful concerts. Carmen passed away in his sleep in March 2024 at the age of 74.