Not All By Himself #MusicMovesMe

It's Monday, and it's time for music.

Let's introduce the Music Moves me bloggers:  We blog about music each Sunday or Monday and if you have music to share with us, you are most welcome to join! (Music Posts Only-meaning at least one music video, please! Otherwise, your post may be removed, or may  be labeled "No Music".)   Our head host is Xmas Dolly, and our co-hosts are Cathy from Curious as a Cathy, joined by the knowledgeable Stacy of Stacy Uncorked and, last but not least, me.

Every other week, we have a theme.  On alternate weeks, like this week, we can blog on any music theme we want.

Today, it's time once again to recognize and pay tribute to a music artist who has entered Rock and Roll Heaven.  Today's inductee is Eric Carmen, the former lead vocalist and guitarist of the Raspberries, who was also successful as a song writer and solo artist. 

Carmen's death was announced March11.  He died at the age of 74. No cause of death was released.

Carmen showed musical talent by the age of two.  At age six, he took violin lessons from an aunt who played violin for the Cleveland [Ohio] Orchestra.  By 11, he was playing piano.  Although his musical training was classical, he fell in love with rock music and started self-teaching himself guitar at age 15.  He was playing in bands as a sophomore in high school.

My favorite Raspberries song - from 1972, Go All The Way.  For a change of pace, it's the woman in the relationship who is asking, not the man.

From a 2007 reunion tour, Ecstasy.  The drumming on this song reminds me so much of Keith Moon of The Who.

Now the songs get softer. Eric the solo artist - from 1976, All by Myself.

 

Eric writing for others: 1984's Almost Paradise, from the movie Footloose, co written by Carmen, sung by Ann Wilson of Heart and Mike Reno of Loverboy.

Another movie hit - 1987's Hungry Eyes, from Dirty Dancing. 

Eric Carmen also wrote several songs recorded by country singer Louise Mandrell.  Here Eric sings a duet with Mandrell of As Long as We've Got Each Other.

I will end with the last Raspberries song that charted, a song ironically entitled Overnight Sensation, from 1974.

And that is a sad wrap, as we continue to lose some of our older rock and roll greats with each passing month.

Join me again next week for another episode of Music Moves Me.

Oh, one more thing....

Before I go, a note:  I am participating in the month long April Blogging from A to Z Challenge.  Some of my April posts may be going live on Sundays.  So, if you don't see me on Monday, look for me the day before.  Thank you for your continued readership.