This is BIG, BIG news. So, I had to pass it on.
Um, OK...the press release is a *little overhyped.
Still big news though.....right? <g>
My apologies to those of you that will see this twice.
Thanks for the original post to Audities....and you know
who you are.
Jerry
--------------- MESSAGE audities.v001.n1015.8 ---------------
Subject: FW: Raspberries press release
Date: Fri, 2 Apr 1999 09:44:59 -0800
> Sent: Friday, April 02, 1999 8:26 AM
> To: Multiple recipients of poprocks
> Subject: Raspberries press release
>
> Just ran across this on the Eric Carmen website, gang.
>
> FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
> April 5, 1999
>
> Starting Over Again
> Raspberries Announce Summer Reunion Tour!
>
> After overwhelming demand from fans worldwide, for the first time in
> twenty-five years, Raspberries, the popular 70's power pop quartet, will
> be reuniting for a summer tour of the U.S. The lineup includes all four
> original members -- Eric Carmen (lead vocals/ guitar/keyboards), Wally
> Bryson (lead guitar/lead vocals), Jim Bonfanti (drums/vocals) and Dave
> Smalley (bass/lead vocals). After their first rehearsal for their reunion
> tour, manager David Spero exclaimed, "The moment they started playing it
> was like they'd never taken a break. The magic is still there."
>
> Lauded in music circles as the quintessential power pop band, the rich
> and enduring legacy of Raspberries music is heard in such contemporary
> acts as Hole, The Smashing Pumpkins and Fastball. Artists ranging from
> Bruce Springsteen to Elton John, Tom Petty to R.E.M, Courtney Love to Jon
> Bon Jovi, have cited the tremendous influence of Raspberries on their
> music. In fact, Bruce Springsteen is such a huge fan of Raspberries that
> he singled out the band in recent interviews with USA Today and UK music
> magazine Mojo: "In 'The River' stretch, I had gotten into Woody Guthrie
> and country music," he recalls. "At the same time, I was listening to the
> Raspberries' greatest hits. It was one of my favorite records that
> summer. They were great little pop records. I loved the production and
> when I went into the studio a lot of things we did were like that."
> Further boosting a groundswell of interest in the group is the recently
> reissued book Overnight Sensation: The Story Of The Raspberries, written
> by band historian Ken Sharp.
>
> The shows will feature a generous cross section of transcendent power pop
> gems including such Raspberries hits as the top five single "Go All The
> Way", "I Wanna Be With You", "Tonight", "Let's Pretend", "Ecstacy" and
> "Overnight Sensation (Hit Record)". Additionally, the band will also be
> performing their own interpretations of several Eric Carmen solo hits
> including the timeless pop standard "All By Myself" and the top five
> hits, "Hungry Eyes" and "Make Me Lose Control". Meanwhile, discussions
> are currently in place for a live album and other possible multimedia
> opportunities.
>
> Formed in Cleveland in 1970, Raspberries quickly became the town's
> hottest music commodity. After a fierce bidding war ensued between a
> number of record labels, the band was signed to Capitol Records in 1972.
> Their self-titled debut album showcased the smash hit "Go All The Way"
> and set in motion a glorious three year run of sublime and majestic pop
> music enthusiastically embraced by critics and fans worldwide. Rolling
> Stone Magazine honored the band by selecting "Overnight Sensation (Hit
> Record)" as one of the top 100 singles of the last two decades. The song
> had such a profound impact that two of The Beatles, John Lennon and Ringo
> Starr personally told Raspberries lead singer Eric Carmen it was a
> favorite of theirs. Meanwhile, Rolling Stone Magazine also voted the
> group's swan song LP, "Starting Over" as 1974's album of the year.
>
> Now almost twenty-five years since they disbanded, The Raspberries are
> more popular than ever and with their upcoming reunion trek, primed to
> 'go all the way' once again. The band's full itinerary will be announced
> shortly.
