Eric Carmen, the Cleveland rocker who pioneered power pop as lead singer of the Raspberries and later found solo success with soft rock songs like “All By Myself” and “Hungry Eyes,” has died at the age of 74. .
His death was announced by his family on his official website. His widow Amy Carmen wrote: “It is with tremendous sadness that we share the heartbreaking news of Eric Carmen's passing. Our sweet, loving and talented Eric passed away in his sleep over the weekend.” The family did not reveal the cause of death or the specific date of his death.
Carmen's first brush with fame came in 1972, the year the Raspberries took “Go All the Way” to number five on the Billboard Hot 100. Fusing the heavy riffs of The Who with the sweet harmonies of the Beaches Boys, “Go All the Way” created the blueprint for the style that became known as power pop: sweet melodies given weight by crunchy guitars.
Generations of rockers would strive to replicate the Raspberries' sugary hard rock, but Carmen ended up softening her attack after he split from the group. “All By Myself,” the languid ballad that launched her solo career, nearly topped the Billboard charts in 1976 and became a pop constant, covered by everyone from Celine Dion to Halk Williams Jr.
During the decade following “All By Myself,” Carmen remained a staple on adult contemporary radio and rock albums, finally scoring another hit when “Hungry Eyes,” her contribution to the “Dirty” soundtrack Dancing” reached number four in 1988, quickly following it to the top of the charts that year with “Make Me Lose Control.” It may have been Carmen's last run of success, but it cemented his status as a pop craftsman, allowing him to play to a dedicated audience well into the 2010s.
History in development…
