Eric Carmen, who rose to fame as the frontman of the Raspberries before achieving solo success, died over the weekend at the age of 74, his wife announced Monday.
“It is with great sadness that we share the heartbreaking news of Eric Carmen’s passing,” Amy Carmen wrote.
“Our kind, loving and talented Eric passed away in his sleep over the weekend. His music has touched so many lives over the decades and his lasting legacy and… It was a great joy for him to know that he would be. As we mourn our great loss, please respect the family’s privacy. “Love is all that matters…faithful and eternal.”
The cause of death has not been disclosed.
“Go All the Way” reached number five on the Billboard Hot 100 for the Raspberries in 1972, becoming the group’s most popular single.
The song remained a hit in the UK despite its controversial lyrics, but was banned by the BBC due to its sexually suggestive content.
As a solo artist, “All By Myself” reached No. 2 on the Hot 100 in the mid-1970s.
Their 1987 hit “Hungry Eyes” reached No. 4 and was memorably featured on “Dirty Dancing.”
He returned to the top five with his 1988 hit “Make Me Lose Control.”
“Terrible news. Eric Carmen has passed away,” Kiss’ Paul Stanley posted on X. “Eric is known to many for writing radio hits such as ‘All By Myself,’ but he was a rocker through and through. His voice had elements of McCartney and Steve Marriott. The Raspberries played a show with us. It was a great live band and I loved their records.”
His cover of Celine Dion’s “All By Myself” was a success in the 1990s, and his song “Boat Against the Current” was covered by Frankie Valli, Olivia Newton-John, and Patti LaBelle it was done.
Carmen also toured with Ringo Starr and his All-Star Band in 2000, and reunited with the Raspberries for a 2004 tour.
