Raspberries - Fresh
On this weeks episode, we take a listen to the second LP by one of the foundational bands of 1970's power pop: Fresh by the the Raspberries.
The Raspberries were an intentional antithesis to everything that was going on in the early Seventies. Instead of focusing on the extended (and as they saw it, self-indulgent) musical jams, the Raspberries would craft three-and-a-half-minute pop songs that leaned heavily on early British Invasion groups like the Beatles, the Who and the Kinks. Fresh, is full of catchy melodies, infectious hooks, and glorious harmonies. And while the band did see success during their all too short career, it is their legacy that is worth celebrating. Enormously influential (modern power pop would not be the same without them) the band had an impact on everyone from John Lennon to Mötley Crüe.
THINGS WE DISCUSSED ON THIS EPISODE
The story of the Raspberries starts with a band called the Choir, where three of the four future band members (Wally Bryson, Jim Bonfanti Dave Smalley) learned their chops.
The Choir (pictured L to R): Randy Klawon, Wally Bryson, Jim Bonfanti, Dave Smalley
The fourth member of the Raspberries, Eric Carmen, was part of another Cleveland band called Cyrus Erie.
Eric Carmen is pictured second from the right. At the time of this photo, as a result of the Choir temporarily breaking in up 1968, Wally Bryson joined Cyrus Erie (bottom row, center).
When the Raspberries formed, Dave Smalley was the original choice for bass. Because he was doing a tour in Vietnam, John Aleksic joined as bassist. Aleksic left aster the band recorded its first demos. They played as a trio for a wile until Smalley come home and eventually joined the band.
Raspberries Mach 1Pictured (L to R): Eric Carmen, Wally Bryson, Jim Bonfanti, and John Aleksic.
The band got the attention of producer Jimmy Ienner (far left) who helped get them signed to Capitol and produced all 4 of the Raspberries LPs.
Here’s the Raspberries performing “Go All the Way” live on Don Kirschner's Rock Concert in November of 1973.
In May of 1973 the Raspberries appeared on The Midnight Special. They performed “I Wanna Be With You.” and “Let’s Pretend”
The single “Let’s Pretend” was part of a promotional give away. Capitol Records, in conjunction with teen publication Star Magazine, held a nationwide sweepstakes to give away a “Raspberries Rollswagon,” a customized Volkswagen Beetle designed by car customization king George Barris. He created pop culture icons for 60s TV series such as the Batmobile, the Monkeemobile, and the Munsters Koach. Contestants were asked to fill in the entry form naming the "foxiest" Raspberry and why. Below is the single with he contest information and and the promotional add published in Star.
The Raspberries appeared on the syndicated TV show Flipside in1973. The show was filmed live in the studio while the band was recording songs for their third LP Side 3. There are iterview clips interspersed with the band performing songs from Fresh. Below is a clip of the band performing “Drivin’ Around,” with their producer Jimmy Ienner helping with the vocals. You can watch the whole video here.
After the demise of the Raspberries, Carmen had a very successful solo career. His first solo hit, and the first of eight US Top 40 hits for him, was the power ballad “All By Myself.” Carmen admits that the chorus was taken from the "Let's Pretend.”
Here he is performing on The Midnight Special in1976
In 2004, the four original members of the band reunited for a tour to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the band’s debut album. Here’s the reunited Raspberries playing “Tonight,” off of their 3rd LP Side 3.
