Eric Carmen Tribute Concert Will Celebrate His Musical Legacy
by Best Classic Bands Staff
Eric Carmen, the power pop singer and songwriter, who died in 2024 decades after a successful run as the leader of Raspberries and a vibrant solo career, will be posthumously honored with a tribute concert. EC50, A Celebration of Eric Carmen’s Musical Legacy will be held on November 25, 2025, in Lakewood, Ohio, a suburb of Cleveland. The event, announced on July 5, will commemorate the 50th Anniversary of Carmen’s self-titled first solo album.
The show, being held at the Lakewood Civic Auditorium, will feature the Eric Carmen Band, the Lakewood Project and the Lakewood High School Orchestra and alumni. Special guest vocalists will be added to join the production. Tickets are available here.
Carmen, born on August 11, 1949, in Cleveland, was best known for the early ’70s Raspberries hits “Go All the Way” and “Overnight Sensation (Hit Record).” His solo hits included “All by Myself” and “Hungry Eyes.” The latter came a decade later and was featured in the surprise hit film and soundtrack for Dirty Dancing. He died in March 2024. No cause of death was revealed.
Raspberries played their first show on October 16, 1970. Weekly gigs at the Agora in Cleveland created a groundswell of support for this new hot local band whose reputation as a live act was already becoming legendary, and before long they were attracting more than 1,000 people a night. Signed to Capitol Records by noted producer Jimmy Ienner in the winter of 1971 they completed their first album, Raspberries.
Released in early 1972, the album, produced by Ienner, showcased the powerhouse top 5 single, “Go All the Way,” written by Carmen, which became a million-seller and Raspberries’ first gold record.
The band broke up in 1975 and Carmen immediately found success as a solo artist. Signed to Clive Davis’ Arista label, he reunited with Ienner and earned a smash with “All by Myself,” which reached #2 that year.
Stephen Knill, a retired entertainment marketing executive and the bassist on Carmen’s solo debut, and Dr. Elizabeth Hankins, the director of the Lakewood High School Orchestra, are serving as executive producers. Advisers include Tim Smith (formerly of Sony Legacy), Al Kaston (Raspberries manager), and Bernie Hogya (Carmen’s biographer).
In a statement, Knill said, “It is an extreme honor to perform Eric’s number one hit, ‘All by Myself,” and other fan favorites again with this great group of musicians, many who’ve worked with him in the past. This combined production will bring Eric’s music to life in a way it really hasn’t before. Our partnership with Lakewood High School has made that all happen.”
“We’re thrilled to be part of this incredible event, bringing together a passionate Lakewood High School team—musicians, educators, crew, venue staff, and collaborators—united by a love for the arts,” said Hankins. “As a benefit for our program, it holds special meaning and promises to be a memorable night in the proud legacy of our musical journey.”
1 Comment so far
Jump into a conversationThat first Raspberries Lp was terrific. Led off by the too-good-to-be-true but “YEAH, BABY!!” (if you were 16 at the time) ‘Go All The Way’, and wrapping up with the epic ‘I Can Remember’.
I was hooked. The bowl of berries cover for ‘Side 3’. The ‘You Could Win a Customized VW!!’ pic sleeve for ‘Let’s Pretend’. I didn’t.
They were the ginchiest! Four albums was about right.