Eric Carmen, the iconic lead vocalist of the pop-rock ensemble the Raspberries, and later a celebrated solo artist known for timeless classics like “All By Myself,” “Hungry Eyes,” and “Never Gonna Fall in Love Again,” has passed away at the age of 74.
Amy Carmen, his wife, announced the somber news on his official website, expressing profound sorrow over his departure. “With a heavy heart, we announce Eric Carmen’s passing,” she penned. “Eric, our beloved, kind-hearted, and immensely talented, passed away peacefully in his sleep over the weekend. Knowing that his music has touched the lives of so many for decades brought him immense joy, and it remains his enduring legacy. We kindly ask for privacy as we grieve this monumental loss.”
The cause of his death was not disclosed.
Over a career that spanned more than four decades, Carmen captivated audiences with his distinctive high tenor voice, securing his place as one of pop music’s most unique talents. As a member of the Raspberries, he helped pioneer the power pop genre with hits like “Go All the Way” and “Let’s Pretend.” His solo career was marked by a series of power ballads, including “Never Gonna Fall in Love Again,” “She Did It,” “Hungry Eyes,” “Make Me Lose Control,” and the iconic “All By Myself,” which achieved global success and became enduring classics.
Born in Cleveland, Ohio, on August 11, 1949, Carmen was immersed in music from a young age, eventually becoming a classically trained pianist. The British Invasion bands of the mid-1960s, such as The Beatles, Rolling Stones, The Who, and The Kinks, profoundly influenced him.
Carmen’s musical journey began in local Cleveland bands, including The Choir, before he formed the Raspberries with Wally Bryson, Jim Bonfanti, and Dave Smalley. The band emerged as a response to the then-popular prog rock, focusing instead on songwriting and harmonies. Their debut album in 1972, though not a top chart performer, included hits like “Don’t Want to Say Goodbye” and “Go All the Way,” the latter reaching No. 5 on the charts.
Despite releasing three more albums, the Raspberries lost commercial momentum and disbanded in 1975. Carmen then embarked on a successful solo career, with his debut album featuring the massive hit “All By Myself.” The song, inspired by Sergei Rachmaninoff’s Piano Concerto No. 2 in C minor, achieved gold certification in the U.S. and U.K., and was later covered by Celine Dion.
Carmen’s follow-up album, “Boats Against the Current,” faced challenges and did not meet commercial expectations. He released two more albums with Arista before moving to Geffen Records for his fourth studio album in 1984, which included the top 40 hit “I Wanna Hear It from Your Lips.”
Carmen experienced a resurgence with “Hungry Eyes,” part of the “Dirty Dancing” soundtrack, becoming one of his biggest hits. Following this success, he released “Make Me Lose Control” in 1988, another significant hit. After a hiatus, Carmen returned with “I Was Born to Love You” in 2000, his final studio album, marking the end of an era for the beloved musician.