Eric Carmen, celebrated for his role as the lead vocalist of the Raspberries and his subsequent flourishing solo career, passed away at the age of 74, a statement from his wife on Monday confirmed.
Amy Carmen expressed profound sorrow as she announced the news of Eric Carmen’s demise. “It is with deep sadness that we announce the loss of our beloved Eric Carmen,” she stated. “Eric, a sweet, loving, and immensely talented individual, passed away in his sleep over the weekend. Knowing that his music has touched the lives of so many for decades brought him immense joy, and this will stand as his enduring legacy. We kindly ask for privacy as we grieve this significant loss. ‘Love Is All That Matters… Faithful and Forever.'”
No cause of death was disclosed.
Eric Carmen, an American singer, songwriter, guitarist, and keyboardist, and a former member of The Raspberries, was captured performing at Alex Cooley’s Electric Ballroom on November 10, 1975, in Atlanta, Georgia.
The Raspberries’ hit “Go All The Way” soared to Number 5 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1972, marking the band’s most successful single. Despite its controversial lyrics, which led to a ban by the BBC due to its suggestive sexual content, the song still achieved popularity in England.
In his solo career, Carmen’s “All By Myself” reached Number 2 on the Hot 100 in the mid-1970s. His 1987 single “Hungry Eyes,” famously featured in “Dirty Dancing,” climbed to Number 4. He continued his success with the 1988 hit “Make Me Lose Control,” which also made it into the top five.
The news of Eric Carmen’s passing was met with sadness across the music community. Paul Stanley of Kiss shared on X, “Terrible news. Eric Carmen has passed away. While many know him for his radio hits like ‘All By Myself’ among others, Eric was fundamentally a rocker at heart. His voice carried elements of McCartney and Steve Marriott. The Raspberries, who performed shows with us, were an electrifying live band, and I was a fan of their records.”
Celine Dion’s rendition of “All By Myself” in the 1990s brought renewed attention to Carmen’s work, along with covers of his song “Boats Against the Current” by artists like Frankie Valli, Olivia Newton-John, and Patti LaBelle. Carmen also joined Ringo Starr and his All Starr Band for a tour in 2000 and reunited with the Raspberries for a tour in 2004, showcasing his enduring influence and versatility in the music industry.