Eric Carmen, Raspberry frontman and ‘All By Myself’ singer, dies at 74

Eric Carmen, the rock singer who led 1970s power-pop pioneers The Raspberries before embarking on a successful solo career, has died. He was 74.

His death was announced on his website by his wife, Amy Carmen. She gave no reason, saying only that he died “in his sleep, over the weekend.”

Formed in Cleveland, The Raspberries burst onto the American rock scene in 1972 with their self-titled debut album, which featured their biggest hit, ‘Go to the extreme’ a provocative song for that time, sung from the point of view of a young woman.

Dave Swanson of the website Ultimate Classic Rock called it “the definitive power pop song of all time,” as the emerging style known for grafting ’60s vocal harmonies onto the crunchy guitar riffs of the ’70s would be called. .

“The Who-esque opening show leads into a very Beatles-esque verse, before settling into a forgotten Beach Boys chorus,” He wrote. “Such was the magic of Raspberry’s song craft. They were able to take the best parts and ideas from the past decade and turn them into something new yet familiar.”

The Raspberries’ second album, ‘Fresh’, also released in 1972, would become their highest charting single, at No. 36. It contained two Top 40 hits, “I want to be with you” And “Let’s pretend.”

Known for its matching suits and clean-cut image, the band was dismissed as passé by some critics, although its influence on rock music would increase over time.

After the band broke up in 1975, Mr. Carmen solo. He veered into the soft rock and quickly scored a hit single “All alone,” peaking at number 2.