Raspberries (band)
| Company type | Band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1970 in Cleveland, Ohio, United States |
| Founder | Eric Carmen, Wally Bryson, Dave Smalley, Jim Bonfanti |
| Headquarters | Cleveland , United States |
| Products | Pop rock music, albums, singles |
The Raspberries emerged as an American pop rock ensemble formed in 1970 in Cleveland, Ohio. They garnered success in the early 1970s with a pop rock style characterized by AllMusic as showcasing "meticulously crafted melodies paired with beautifully poignant harmonies." Known for their polished appearance and coordinated suits, the band attracted a youthful fanbase, though some mainstream outlets dismissed them as "uncool." Drawing inspiration from the British Invasion—especially groups like the Beatles, the Who, the Hollies, and the Small Faces—their mod-influenced approach played a key role in developing the power pop genre, which rose to greater prominence after their breakup. Their musical impact influenced notable artists including Jack Bruce, Ringo Starr, and Courtney Love.
The definitive lineup consisted of Eric Carmen (vocals, guitar, bass, piano), Wally Bryson (guitar), Dave Smalley (guitar, bass), and Jim Bonfanti (drums). Their well-known tracks encompass "Go All the Way", "Let's Pretend", "I Wanna Be with You", "Tonight", and "Overnight Sensation (Hit Record)". All four albums released during the 1970s were produced by Jimmy Ienner. Following their split in 1975, Eric Carmen pursued a lucrative solo career. In 1999, Bryson and Smalley revived the Raspberries moniker with an album featuring vocalist Scott McCarl. The original quartet reunited for a successful tour in 2005.
Formation
The band's roots trace back to two prominent Cleveland groups from the late 1960s: the Choir and Cyrus Erie. The Choir, originally named the Mods and including members Dann Klawon, Wally Bryson, Dave Burke, Dave Smalley, and Jim Bonfanti, scored a regional hit with "It's Cold Outside," which topped local charts and reached No. 68 nationally under Roulette Records. After several personnel changes and Dave Smalley’s conscription to Vietnam in 1968, the Choir disbanded but later reassembled under Bonfanti's leadership until 1970.
Cyrus Erie was founded by Michael and Bob McBride and gained momentum as a live act once Eric Carmen joined in 1967. Carmen persuaded Bryson, who had recently left the Choir, to join as well. Primarily performing cover songs live, Cyrus Erie released two original singles on Epic Records before Bryson's departure led to Randy Klawon taking his place. Subsequently, Carmen, Mike McBride, Randy Klawon, and Dann Klawon formed the Quick, releasing an unsuccessful single composed by Carmen and Klawon through Epic.
Their musical direction was shaped by rock bands such as the Who. Carmen remarked that Pete Townshend's phrase "power pop" aptly described their melodic compositions featuring gritty guitars and energetic drumming—a term that became associated with them throughout the 1970s.
1970–1972
Following conversations between Carmen and Bonfanti about creating a new band, the initial Raspberries lineup included Eric Carmen (rhythm guitar, vocals, piano, bass), Jim Bonfanti (drums, backing vocals), Wally Bryson (lead guitar, vocals), and John Aleksic (bass, guitar, vocals). Aleksic exited at the end of 1970; thereafter, the group performed as a trio until April 1971 when former Choir member Dave Smalley (rhythm guitar, vocals) returned after his Vietnam service. At this point, Carmen moved to bass duties.
Their demo attracted producer Jimmy Ienner, sparking competitive interest from major labels before they ultimately signed with Capitol Records. Their debut album was distinguished by a unique scratch-and-sniff raspberry-scented sticker on its cover.
The Raspberries became known for their coordinated stage attire including tuxedos and distinctive bouffant hairstyles—choices that complemented their musical identity according to Carmen.
1972–1974
In October 1972, "Go All the Way" reached number five on the U.S. charts, surpassing one million sales and earning a gold record. Subsequently, Carmen and Smalley exchanged roles, with Carmen shifting to rhythm guitar while Smalley assumed bass duties. After releasing two albums, Raspberries and Fresh (both in 1972), creative conflicts emerged due to Carmen's strong leadership. This tension resulted in Side 3, an album characterized by a grittier and more forceful sound. Following the supporting tour, Smalley was dismissed over artistic disagreements, and Bonfanti departed shortly after; both went on to form Dynamite. In December 1973, Scott McCarl joined as bassist and former Cyrus Erie drummer Michael McBride came on board for the final album, Starting Over.[1]
For the tours spanning late 1973 to 1974, Bryson’s acquaintance Jeff Hutton took over keyboard duties, replacing Opie O'Brien and Tony Shannon from earlier tours.[2]
Post-breakup
In April 1975, guitarist Billy Hanna filled in for an ailing Bryson, but the band ultimately dissolved on April 19 after their last performance in Scranton, Pennsylvania.
The Raspberries left a lasting mark on numerous musicians: Bruce Springsteen lauded them during his 2005 tour; his drummer Max Weinberg credited Michael McBride’s drumming as an inspiration for the album Darkness on the Edge of Town. Other notable artists like Paul Stanley (Kiss), Tom Petty, and Axl Rose (Guns N' Roses) also recognized their influence.[3]
Bryson joined the power pop group Fotomaker in 1978 but exited following their second release.
In 1993, Ken Sharp authored a biography titled Overnight Sensation – The Story of the Raspberries.
The 1996 tribute compilation Raspberries Preserved featured indie bands covering their songs.
Eric Carmen embarked on a prosperous solo path with hits such as "All by Myself"—an adaptation of Rachmaninoff’s Piano Concerto No. 2—alongside "Never Gonna Fall in Love Again" and "She Did It," which echoed the band’s power pop essence. He also penned successful tracks for other artists, including "Almost Paradise" from Footloose and material for Shaun Cassidy.
On March 24, 1999, all original members briefly reunited but encountered minimal promoter support. Following this, Carmen and Bonfanti withdrew; Bryson, Smalley, and McCarl proceeded to release the EP Raspberries Refreshed in September 2000, featuring new songs reminiscent of their signature style.[4]
The original lineup regrouped in November 2004 for a concert at Cleveland’s House of Blues, sparking a short tour in 2005 accompanied by VH1 Classic specials and broadcasts on XM Satellite Radio. Their Los Angeles performance was recorded and issued in 2007 as Live on Sunset Strip, which included an introduction by Bruce Springsteen and featured a photograph of John Lennon wearing a Raspberries sweatshirt. Additional shows took place in New York, California, and Cleveland.[5]
Reunion performances continued into late 2007, culminating with a December 14 show at Cleveland's Playhouse Square; their final public appearance occurred at a Rock and Roll Hall of Fame VIP event on April 3, 2009.[6]
"Go All the Way" experienced renewed popularity in 2014 when it was featured in Marvel’s film Guardians of the Galaxy. The movie’s soundtrack release helped revive appreciation for the band’s craftsmanship.[7]
In 2017, Omnivore Records released Pop Art Live, capturing their first reunion concert in nearly three decades. The album was praised for its combination of classic songwriting with vibrant live energy.[8]
Eric Carmen passed away in March 2024.[9]
Band members
- Eric Carmen – lead and backing vocals, piano; rhythm guitar; bass
- Wally Bryson – lead guitar, lead and backing vocals
- John Aleksic – bass, guitar, backing vocals
- Jim Bonfanti – drums, backing vocals
- Dave Smalley – rhythm guitar; bass; backing and lead vocals
- Scott McCarl – bass, backing and lead vocals
- Michael McBride – drums
Touring
- Opie O'Brien – keyboards, synthesizers, saxophone
- Tony Shannon – keyboards, synthesizers
- Jeff Hutton – keyboards, synthesizers
- Billy Hanna – guitar
- Paul Sidoti – bass, guitar, keyboards, backing vocals
- Billy Sullivan – guitar, keyboards, backing vocals
- Jennifer Lee – keyboards, vocals
- Derek Braunschweiger – percussion, drum technician
Studio albums
| Album | Release information | Highest chart rankings | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US | AUS | CAN | ||
| Raspberries |
|
51 | 30 | 22 |
| Fresh |
|
36 | 31 | 19 |
| Side 3 |
|
128 | — | — |
| Starting Over |
|
143 | 72 | — |
| "—" indicates that the album did not chart or was not released in that region. | ||||
Selected compilation albums
| Album | Release details | Highest chart rankings | |
|---|---|---|---|
| US | CAN | ||
| Raspberries' Best |
|
138 | 70 |
| Capitol Collectors Series |
|
— | — |
| Greatest |
|
— | — |
| "—" signifies the album did not chart or was unavailable in that market. | |||
Live albums
- Live on Sunset Strip (2007)
- Pop Art Live (2017)
Extended plays
- Refreshed (2000)
Singles
| Song title | Year of release | Highest chart positions | Certifications | Album source | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| US | AUS | CAN | ||||
| "Don't Want to Say Goodbye" b/w "Rock & Roll Mama" |
1972 | 86 | — | — | Raspberries | |
| "Go All the Way" b/w "With You in My Life" |
5 | 14 | 5 |
| ||
| "I Wanna Be with You" b/w "Goin' Nowhere Tonight" |
16 | 44 | 17 | Fresh | ||
| "Drivin' Around" b/w "Might As Well" |
— | — | — | |||
| "Let's Pretend" b/w "Every Way I Can" |
1973 | 35 | 62 | 13 | ||
| "Tonight" b/w "Hard to Get Over a Heartbreak" |
69 | — | 80 | Side 3 | ||
| "I'm a Rocker" b/w "Money Down" |
94 | — | — | |||
| "Ecstasy" b/w "Don't Want to Say Goodbye" |
(Cashbox peak at #116) | — | — | |||
| "Overnight Sensation (Hit Record)" b/w "Hands on You" |
1974 | 18 | 91 | 22 | Starting Over | |
| "Cruisin' Music" b/w "Party's Over" |
1975 | — | — | — | ||
Further reading
Wolff, Carlo (2006). Cleveland Rock and Roll Memories. Cleveland, OH: Gray & Company, Publishers.
External links
- American power pop groups
- Musical groups from Cleveland
- Musical groups from Ohio
- Musical groups established in 1970
- Musical groups disestablished in 1975
- Musical groups reestablished in 2004
- Musical groups disestablished in 2005
- Rykodisc artists
- Capitol Records artists
- American pop rock music groups
- 1970 establishments in Ohio
- 2005 disestablishments in Ohio