The Raspberries

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The Raspberries are a power pop/pop rock band from Cleveland, Ohio in the United States. They had a run of success in the early 1970s with their crisp pop sound that drew influence from the British Invasion era—especially The Beatles, The Who, The Hollies, and The Small Faces—and its mod sensibility.

The group was formed in Mentor, OH, in early 1970 by Eric Carmen and drummer Jim Bonfanti, local pop heroes thanks to the respective tenures in the hugely popular bands Cyrus Erie and the Choir; guitarist Wally Bryson and bassist John Aleksic (both Choir veterans as well) completed the original lineup … , which made its live debut in mid-October. With their short hair, matching suits, and Beatlesque sound, the Raspberries ran in direct opposition to the prevailing hard rock mentality of the Cleveland scene, but after just a handful of gigs, the band was among the city’s most popular live acts. However, after cutting their first demo session, Aleksic left the lineup in March of 1971, and with the addition of rhythm guitarist Dave Smalley, Carmen assumed bass duties. The Raspberries’ demo tape ultimately found its way to producer Jimmy Ienner, and in the wake of a major-label bidding war, the band signed to Capitol, issuing their self-titled debut LP (complete with a raspberry-scented scratch-and-sniff cover sticker) in the spring of 1972. The debut single “Don’t Want to Say Goodbye,” stalled, but the follow-up, “Go All the Way,” a magnificent fusion of Who-inspired guitar snarl and Beach Boys-styled vocal harmonies, went on to sell over a million copies on its way to cracking the Top Five.
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  • Greatest Hits
    The Raspberries Play
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  • Capitol Collectors Series
    The Raspberries Play
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  • Raspberries
    The Raspberries Play
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  • Fresh
    The Raspberries Play
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  • Saveall

    "Live on Sunset Strip," the first live album and first new release in 33 years from the influential power-pop group Raspberries. Recorded live at the Sunset Strip’s famed House of Blues in Los Angeles, CA. by Grammy award winning engineer and producer Mark Linett on October 21st, 2005, the performance marks the triumphant return after 30 years of the band’s original line-up of Eric Carmen, Wally Bryson, Dave Smalley and Jim Bonfanti. Yes...it's pure power pop bliss...

    February 2012

  • finslaw

    I am amazed how under listened this band is. Compared to Big Star no one seems to care. I wonder why?

    October 2011

  • candlaero

    I prefer it with a 'The'

    May 2011

  • Lowbacca

    I just realized their official name is Raspberries, without "The"....[3]

    May 2011

  • promisedeyes

    Eric Carmen was more McCartney than McCartney.[2] I love this group so much!

    May 2011

  • lovemusic423

    One of my all time fav groups!

    January 2011

  • BBB63

    "so underrated it makes me sick" +1... Go All The Way is among the very best power pop songs ever to appear on vinyl and Tonight and Nobody Knows are damn good too.

    January 2011

  • McCoyMcFlyer

    I just realized their official name is Raspberries, without "The"....[2]

    January 2011
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