Eric Carmen is a renowned American singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist. He gained fame as the lead vocalist of the Raspberries, known for their hit song "Go All the Way". After four albums with the band, Carmen launched a successful solo career in 1975, achieving international acclaim with hits like "All by Myself," "Never Gonna Fall in Love Again," and "Hungry Eyes." Later in his career, he toured with Ringo Starr & His All-Starr Band and reunited with the Raspberries in 2004.
August 11, 1949: Eric Carmen's Birth
Eric Howard Carmen was born on August 11, 1949. He would go on to become a celebrated American singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist.
1967: The Choir's Minor Hit
In 1967, the Choir, a Cleveland-based band featuring future Raspberries members Wally Bryson, Jim Bonfanti, and Dave Smalley, achieved a minor national hit with their single "It's Cold Outside". This success contributed to their popularity in the Cleveland music scene.
1975: Transition to Solo Career
Following the disbandment of the Raspberries, Eric Carmen transitioned to a solo career in 1975. Known for his songwriting and powerful vocals in the band, he shifted his musical style towards soft rock and power ballads during his solo career.
1975: Debut Solo Album
In 1975, Eric Carmen released his self-titled debut solo album. The album showcased his shift towards soft rock and power ballads, featuring hits like "All by Myself" and "Never Gonna Fall in Love Again", along with a cover of "That's Rock and Roll" originally performed by Shaun Cassidy.
1975: Launch of Solo Career
In 1975, Eric Carmen, the lead vocalist of the Raspberries, embarked on a solo career after the band's breakup. His solo career would see him achieve global success with hits like "All by Myself" and "Never Gonna Fall in Love Again", moving towards a softer rock and power ballad style.
April 1976: "All by Myself" Goes Gold
In April 1976, Eric Carmen's single "All by Myself" was certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). The song, based on Rachmaninoff's Piano Concerto No. 2, had become a massive hit, reaching number 2 in the United States and selling over a million copies, marking a significant milestone in his solo career.
1977: Debut Album Certified Gold
In 1977, Eric Carmen's debut solo album was certified gold, signifying sales of over 500,000 copies. The album, released in 1975, featured hit singles like "All by Myself" and "Never Gonna Fall in Love Again", solidifying his success as a solo artist after the Raspberries.
1977: Release of "Boats Against the Current"
In the summer of 1977, Eric Carmen released his second solo album, "Boats Against the Current". The album, featuring backup from notable musicians like Burton Cummings and Andrew Gold, received mixed reviews but still managed to peak at number 45 on the Billboard album chart, further establishing his presence in the music industry.
1978: First Marriage
In 1978, Eric Carmen married Marcy Hill. This marked the beginning of his first marriage, which would last for a year.
1978: Shaun Cassidy's Success with Carmen's Song
In 1978, singer Shaun Cassidy achieved a top 10 hit with "Hey Deanie", a song written by Eric Carmen. This success further demonstrated Carmen's talent as a songwriter, adding to his growing list of chart successes.
1978: "Change of Heart" Breaks Top 20
In late 1978, Eric Carmen's single "Change of Heart" broke into the top 20 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and reached number 6 on the Adult Contemporary Chart. The song's success, despite his declining chart fortunes at the time, showcased his ability to create appealing and popular music.
1979: End of First Marriage
Eric Carmen's first marriage to Marcy Hill ended in 1979.
1980: Release of "Tonight You're Mine"
Eric Carmen released his album "Tonight You're Mine" in 1980. The album featured the lead single "It Hurts Too Much", which reached number 75 on the Billboard Hot 100, continuing his presence in the music scene.
1984: Co-Writing "Almost Paradise" for Footloose
Eric Carmen co-wrote "Almost Paradise" with Dean Pitchford in 1984 for the soundtrack of the popular film Footloose. The song, performed by Ann Wilson and Mike Reno, became a major hit, reaching number 7 on the Billboard Hot 100, demonstrating Carmen's ability to compose music for successful films.
1985: Comeback with "I Wanna Hear It from Your Lips"
Eric Carmen made a significant comeback in 1985 with the release of his second self-titled album on Geffen Records. The album featured the hit single "I Wanna Hear It from Your Lips", which reached the Adult Contemporary top 10 and the Pop top 40, marking his successful return to prominence in the music industry.
1987: Success with "Hungry Eyes"
In 1987, Eric Carmen's song "Hungry Eyes", featured in the hit film Dirty Dancing, reached number 2 on the Adult Contemporary chart and re-established his presence in the Pop top 10, further solidifying his success as a songwriter and solo artist.
1988: Chart-Topping Success with "Make Me Lose Control"
In 1988, Eric Carmen's "Make Me Lose Control" reached the number one position on the Adult Contemporary chart, where it remained for three consecutive weeks, while also peaking at number 3 on the Billboard Hot 100. This success marked a significant achievement in his career, showcasing his enduring talent for creating popular and impactful music.
1993: Second Marriage
Eric Carmen married Susan Brown in 1993. This began his second marriage, during which they would have two children together.
1998: Release of "Winter Dreams" in Japan
In 1998, Eric Carmen's album "Winter Dreams" was released in Japan. The album showcased his musical versatility and continued his presence in the music scene, particularly in the Japanese market.
2000: Touring with Ringo Starr
In 2000, Eric Carmen joined Ringo Starr and His All Starr Band for a tour. This collaboration placed Carmen alongside other accomplished musicians, further highlighting his respected status in the music industry.
2004: The Raspberries Reunion
Eric Carmen reunited with his former bandmates from the Raspberries in 2004. The band, known for their power pop style in the early 1970s, performed a series of sold-out shows and recorded a live album, receiving critical acclaim for their reunion.
2004: Reunion and Acclaim
In 2004, The Raspberries reunited, featuring original members Eric Carmen, Jim Bonfanti, Wally Bryson, and Dave Smalley. Their reunion tour included a series of sold-out performances across the US, culminating in a live album recording at the House of Blues on Sunset Strip in West Hollywood. This reunion and live album were met with critical acclaim, highlighting the enduring appeal of their music.
2009: End of Second Marriage
Eric Carmen's second marriage to Susan Brown ended in 2009.
December 2013: Recording of "Brand New Year"
Eric Carmen recorded "Brand New Year" in November and December 2013 in Ohio and Los Angeles. This marked his return to recording after a significant hiatus, signaling a renewed focus on his music career.
December 24, 2013: Release of "Brand New Year"
On December 24, 2013, Eric Carmen released "Brand New Year", his first new recording in over 15 years. This track, offered as a free download by Legacy Recordings, marked his return to releasing new music and served as a prelude to his career retrospective album, "The Essential Eric Carmen".
March 2014: Release of Career Retrospective Album
Eric Carmen's 30-track career retrospective album, "The Essential Eric Carmen", was released in March 2014. This comprehensive collection highlighted his successful career, spanning his work with the Raspberries and his solo hits.
2016: Third Marriage
In 2016, Eric Carmen married former newscaster Amy Murphy. This marked his third marriage, which would last until his death in 2024.
March 11, 2024: Announcing Eric Carmen's Passing
On March 11, 2024, Eric Carmen's wife, Amy Murphy, announced his passing. He had died in his sleep over the previous weekend at the age of 74. No cause of death was given at the time.
March 2024: Eric Carmen's Death
Eric Carmen passed away in March 2024. He was a renowned American singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist, known for his work with the Raspberries and his successful solo career.
2024: Eric Carmen's Passing
Eric Carmen passed away in 2024, marking the end of his third marriage to Amy Murphy.