The Raspberries

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Biography

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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  • muteoff

    Yeah, it is officially Raspberries with the 'The.' So, the almighty MusicBrainz is wrong about something for once.

    21 Apr 4:30am Reply

  • SignalSongs

    Hey Power Pop Fans! Scottish Power Pop / Indie Pop band Aerial will be releasing a new record later this year. Listen to the last record at http://www.last.fm/music/Aerial/Back+Within+Reach Stay tuned for more info at facebook.com/aerialband and on Twitter @aerial_band Thanks! Aerial

    21 Feb 6:15pm Reply

  • IanCat87

    "Tonight" is now one of my new favorite tracks. I've had a great compilation for a couple years but I was disappointed the first few listens, except for "Go All the Way." Digging back through I've got a few new favorites. "Tonight" is the best.

    5 Oct 2012 Reply

  • Tr1xx

    Why isn't "Overnight Sensation" at the top of the list . . . Superb track

    24 Sep 2012 Reply

  • 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...

    24 Feb 2012 Reply

  • finslaw

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

    15 Oct 2011 Reply

  • candlaero

    I prefer it with a 'The'

    31 May 2011 Reply

  • Lowbacca

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

    29 May 2011 Reply

  • promisedeyes

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

    23 May 2011 Reply

  • lovemusic423

    One of my all time fav groups!

    22 Jan 2011 Reply

  • 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.

    14 Jan 2011 Reply

  • McCoyMcFlyer

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

    7 Jan 2011 Reply

  • johnnycool2002

    I just realized their official name is Raspberries, without "The". I'm going to make the corrections in my library. I suggest everyone do the same, so we can get the right name on here.

    12 Dec 2010 Reply

  • FaustoRocks

    so great !! so underrated !!

    22 Sep 2010 Reply

  • docmoondog

    Eric Carmen was more McCartney than McCartney.

    21 Jul 2010 Reply

  • Saveall

    Great radio rock...and it still is.

    14 Nov 2009 Reply

  • renatolpb9

    ''Don't Want to Say Goodbye'' and ''Go All the Way''... Great songs! :D

    20 Oct 2009 Reply

  • Lurholm

    The drummer of The Rhinos once described the drum fill at the end of "Overnite Sensation" as "the sound of refrigerators tumbling down a staircase". And he was right. One of the best drum fills ever recorded, IMO.

    22 Sep 2009 Reply

  • Puppet421

    I have to thank Last.FM for helping me find this band. I had heard Go All The Way and I Wanna Be With You a long time ago, but could never find them as I didn't know who they were by. I was recommended this band due to liking Big Star.

    18 Aug 2009 Reply

  • GlamFool

    motley crue covered tonight, its pretty good!

    24 Jul 2009 Reply
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