The Raspberries

The Raspberries were a rock and roll band from Cleveland, Ohio in the 1970s. Heavily

Related Topics:
Rock and roll - Cleveland, Ohio - 1970s

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influenced by the British Invasion era - especially The Beatles, The Who, The Hollies, and The Small Faces - and its Mod sensibility, they helped pioneer the power pop style. Their most well known songs were "Go All The Way" from their first album, "Raspberries", " I Wanna Be With You", from their second album, "Fresh", and "Overnight Sensation (Hit Record)" from their fourth album "Starting Over".

Related Topics:
British Invasion - The Beatles - The Who - The Hollies - The Small Faces - Mod - Power pop

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The Raspberries broke up in 1974, but their influence was immense. Cheap Trick consciously picked up on The Raspberries' style, and since they were the only band of the original power pop movement who had hits, the power pop movement of the late 1970s would likely not have existed without them. Their influence continued through the 1980s with bands like R.E.M., The Replacements, Teenage Fanclub, Redd Kross, Bruce Springsteen, Courtney Love, and Guns N Roses.

Related Topics:
Cheap Trick - R.E.M. - The Replacements - Teenage Fanclub - Redd Kross - Bruce Springsteen - Courtney Love - Guns N Roses

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Singer-guitarist and primary songwriter Eric Carmen went on to have a successful solo career as a singer of Elton John-like pop ballads such as "All By Myself", rarely returning to the harder rock style of the Raspberries. This song was rated as one of the 40 greatest power ballads of all time.

Related Topics:
Eric Carmen - Elton John - Power ballad

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In June 2004, the House of Blues nightclub chain asked if the Raspberries would reunite for a concert to open their new Cleveland club. They reunited with original band members of Eric Carmen, drummer Jim Bonfanti, guitarist Wally Bryson, bassist Dave Smalley along with the Overdubs: Derek Braunschweiger, Jennifer Lee, Paul Sidoti and Billy Sullivan to rave reviews. Since that concert which was their first performance together in some 30 years, the power pop band has earned strong reviews for their subsequent tour, broadcast their own VH-1 special "Hangin? with the Raspberries" on VH1 Classic hosted by Eddie Trunk, XM Satellite Radio to broadcast one of their B.B. King's appearances on their 70's channel which attracted celebrities like Jon Bon Jovi, Little Steven Van Zandt and Jeopardy! uber-champion Ken Jennings. There are talks of a new album in the works.

Related Topics:
House of Blues - VH-1 - VH1 Classic - Eddie Trunk - XM Satellite Radio - B.B. King - Jon Bon Jovi - Steven Van Zandt - Jeopardy! - Ken Jennings

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Raspberries Reunion Tour Dates:

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November 26, 2004 House of Blues, Cleveland, OH

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December 31, 2004 House of Blues, Cleveland, OH

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January 15, 2005 House of Blues, Chicago, IL

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June 26, 2005 A Taste of Summer, Waukesha, WI

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July 2, 2005 Coors Ampitheatre, Denver, CO

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July 15, 2005 Scene Pavilion, Cleveland, OH

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July 23, 2005 B. B. King's, New York, NY

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July 24, 2005 B. B. King's, New York, NY

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Sept. 17, 2005 House of Blues, Atlantic City, NJ

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Oct. 21, 2005 House of Blues, Los Angeles, CA

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Oct. 22, 2005 4th & B, San Diego, CA

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