Eric Carmen, the iconic musician celebrated for his hit “Hungry Eyes” from the *Dirty Dancing* soundtrack, has passed away at 74. His wife, Amy Carmen, announced his passing on his official website, expressing profound sorrow over the loss. “With heavy hearts, we announce the passing of our beloved Eric Carmen,” the statement read. “Eric departed this world in his sleep over the weekend, leaving behind a legacy of music that has touched the lives of many for decades.”
Amy Carmen fondly recalled a lyric from Carmen’s 1977 solo album, *Boats Against the Current*, saying, “‘Love Is All That Matters … Faithful and Forever.'” The statement did not specify a cause or the exact date of Carmen’s passing.
Carmen first rose to fame in 1970 as the frontman of the Raspberries, a band that quickly made its mark with the hit “Go All the Way.” Reflecting on the song’s suggestive lyrics in a 2005 interview with *Classic Rock 81*, Carmen mused, “I figured it would either get banned for being risqué, enticing people to buy the album out of curiosity, or it would simply become a hit because of its provocative title.”
Despite later releasing acclaimed singles like “I Wanna Be With You,” “Tonight,” and “Overnight Sensation (Hit Record),” the band struggled to replicate their initial success. Carmen embarked on a solo career after the band dissolved in the mid-1970s, achieving international fame with his debut album’s lead single, “All By Myself,” which soared to No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100. His follow-up single, “Never Gonna Fall in Love Again,” also enjoyed chart success.
Over a decade later, Carmen found himself back on the charts with “Hungry Eyes,” featured in the 1987 blockbuster *Dirty Dancing*. The song, written by John DeNicola and Franke Previte and produced by former Raspberries producer Jimmy Ienner, reached No. 4 on the Hot 100. Shortly after, Carmen released “Make Me Lose Control,” which climbed to No. 3 on the charts.
Carmen’s music would not chart again after the 1980s, and his last album, *I Was Born to Love You*, was released in 2000. In 2004, Carmen and the original Raspberries members reunited for a performance at the House of Blues in Cleveland. Carmen shared with *Rolling Stone* his concerns about tarnishing the band’s legacy but was pleased to report the reunion was a resounding success, selling out in minutes and delighting fans.
Reflecting on the Raspberries’ 2005 tour, Carmen told *Pop Matters* that the band, initially seen as “retro” in the 1970s, was actually pioneering against the era’s prevailing progressive rock. He noted, “It might take time, but there’s now a newfound respect for our work, which wasn’t the case back then.”
Eric Carmen’s departure marks the end of an era for fans of his heartfelt ballads and rock anthems. His music, which spanned decades and genres, leaves a lasting legacy that continues to resonate with audiences around the world.