Raspbernie Posted July 28, 2004 Author Share Posted July 28, 2004 Steve,I didn't tell Eric right away. I got a little nervous that he'd say, "Oh that song. Don't bother." Right around the time that the tape fell into my lap, Ken and I were scheduled to do another of our many interviews with Eric for the book. I asked him about the song, hoping to gain a little insight before telling him that I had the master tape. Here's what he said, "I had very little to do with it. I was in the room with Desmond and I contributed a few things, but Desmond kind of took over." Whoa! Not exactly a ringing endorsement, but then again, Eric was talking about what he remembered and a good part of his recollection was no doubt the original demo. You see, the demo is not very exciting. But the song was. At least we thought it was. Most of you seem to agree. I know that I haven't stopped listening to it for weeks and it kicks ass if you crank it up :-) Even Eric has changed his perspective admitting that while Desmond called the shots early in their songwriting partnership he added much to the chorus and wrote the bridge by himself. Not surprisingly, it's the chorus and bridge that I fell in love with.Hope that answers some questions. And just so's I get it all on the table, if Eric *didn't* like what we did to his tune you guys would never have heard it and we'd be talking about something else right now :-)Bernie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MAM Posted July 28, 2004 Share Posted July 28, 2004 Geeez, I'm here 5-6 times a day, EVERY day, and I missed it! I gotta start looking at the home page first. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Raspbernie Posted July 28, 2004 Author Share Posted July 28, 2004 Tony,I'm hooking Kyle up.BerniePS: Just heard today that a radio station in Japan might be spinning "Never Say Die." I'll let you know if that happens :-) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony Cartmill Posted July 28, 2004 Share Posted July 28, 2004 No recollection of a Planet of the Apes story or update. And I am an EC.com addict, Bernie... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Raspbernie Posted July 28, 2004 Author Share Posted July 28, 2004 According to the UPDATES page, the story was posted on March 9: Raekwon busts on "Sunrise." The story is no longer online, but those of you into file sharing can probably figure out what to do next to hear the tune :-)Bernie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marvin Posted July 28, 2004 Share Posted July 28, 2004 No recollection of "Planet" on my part either. Sorry for forgetting about you Jim. Certainly you can sing on "NSD" also. Heck let's get everyone involved and make it a "We Are the World" sing-a-long!Marvin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Billy Posted July 28, 2004 Share Posted July 28, 2004 I've listened to NSD about 50 times -- the song gets stronger everytime I listen to it -- this should be released. What a great song --thanks Bernie! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kirk Posted July 28, 2004 Share Posted July 28, 2004 Here's another Carmen junkie that missed the "Planet of the Apes" update, also. Bernie, from your Gord-esque post am I to assume that we can somehow hear this tune? Kirk. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Raspbernie Posted July 28, 2004 Author Share Posted July 28, 2004 Kirk,Follow the cluesÖ "Planet of the Apes," "Raekwon," "file sharing"ÖI can't be more specific than that unless you want the RIAA breakin' down my door. If it's still too complex to work out ask your kids. They can help you do it :-)Bernie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Raspbernie Posted July 28, 2004 Author Share Posted July 28, 2004 Received this via e-mail today and wanted to share it with you all:- - - -Welcome back, my friends, to...well, just make up your own Emerson, Lake and Palmer joke (our favorite is "...to the song that never ends"). We're DANA & CARL, and THIS IS ROCK 'N' ROLL RADIO! Lotsa groovy new tunes this time out, beginning with an unreleased track by legendary pop guy ERIC CARMEN. Eric originally recorded "Never Say Die" in 1991, but in 2004 everybody's Fave Rave TOMMY ALLEN of The Flashcubes took Eric's vocal track, added all-new instrumental backing, and thus perfected the sort of pop gem that made us all into Raspberries fans way back when. Until somebody wises up and releases it, you can expect to keep hearing it right here on THIS IS ROCK 'N' ROLL RADIO!THIS IS ROCK 'N' ROLL RADIO, hosted by DANA BONN and CARL CAFARELLI, airs Sunday nights from 9 to midnight Eastern (with a repeat broadcast all day Wednesday), on The Double X in Syracuse, NY, WXXE-FM, and on the Web via Live365 at wxxe.org, SYRACUSE COMMUNITY RADIO. The weekend stops HERE!THIS IS ROCK 'N' ROLL RADIO # 270: 7/25/04THE RAMONES: "Do You Remember Rock 'n' Roll Radio?" (Rhino, End Of The Century)--ERIC CARMEN (with TOMMY ALLEN): "Never Say Die" (unreleased)THE HIGH DIALS: "Fields In Glass [radio mix]" (Rainbow Quartz, Fields In Glass EP)SLADE: "Skweeze Me, Pleeze Me" (Polydor, Greatest Hits)THE WAXWINGS: "Steady As Starlight" (Rainbow Quartz, Let's Make Our Descent)THE JELLYBRICKS: "Can't Be Wrong" (Kool Kat Musik, Power This)THE WELL WISHERS: "See For The First Time" (Not Lame, Twenty-Four Seven)--THE JELLYBRICKS: "She Can't" (JAM, VA: This Is Rock 'n' Roll Radio, Volume 1)THE BEATLES: "It's Only Love" (Parlophone, Help!)PRINCE: "When You Were Mine" (Warner Brothers, The Hits/The B-Sides)ASTROPUPPEES: "Over Her Head" (Manatee, Little Chick Tsunami)JANA PERI: "The La La Song" (Hot Jupiter, Jana Peri)THE MONKEES: "Sunny Girlfriend" (Rhino, Headquarters)--JEREMY: "You Told Me" (JAM, Lost And Found)THE BENT BACKED TULIPS: "Sweet Young Thing" (eggBERT, Looking Through...)THE JELLYBRICKS: "Take It Away" (Oglio, VA: Coming Up)WINGS: "Listen To What The Man Said" (Capitol, PAUL McCARTNEY: WINGSPAN)THE MASTER PLAN: "You're Mine" (Total Energy, Colossus Of Destiny)THE NEW YORK DOLLS: "Trash" (Mercury, New York Dolls)JA'NET DUBOIS & OREN WATERS: "Movin' On Up" (Time-Life, VA: TV Themes Of The '70s)--THE PORCUPINES: "Somebody Else's Thing" (Maize, EeenieMeenieMeineeMojo!)ROCKET: "Here Comes The Summer" (Teenacide, Too Hot To Be Bothered)CHUCK BERRY: "Promised Land" (MCA/Chess, The Anthology)BUDDY HOLLY: "Not Fade Away" (MCA, The Buddy Holly Collection)THE JELLYBRICKS: "Brand New Sunglasses" (Rite-Off, Soapopera)CLOUD ELEVEN: "Tokyo Aquarium" (DF2K, Cloud Eleven)--THE MOCKERS: "The Emperor Strikes Out" (One Eye Open, The Lonesome Death Of Electric Campfire)AL HIRT: "Green Hornet Theme" (Time-Life, VA: TV Themes Of The '60s)THE JELLYBRICKS: "Miss You" (Primitive, KinkyBootBeast)THE DRAGS: "10th Man Theme" (Estrus, Dragsploitation...Now!)THE BLONDES: "Suzi Quatro" (Teenacide, Swedish Heat)HEDWIG: "Angry Inch" (Hybrid, Hedwig And The Angry Inch OST)--BRANDON WIARD: "Moving On" (Cerberus, Painting A Burning Building)HOLDEN: "Honeymnoon" (EXMS, VA: Swedish Showcase 2004)BENNY SPELLMAN: "Fortune Teller" (EMI, VA: Highlights From Crescent City Soul--The Sound Of New Orleans 1947-1974)THE CLAUDIA MALIBU: "Pretty Girl/Ugly Girl" (n/a, Star)THE JELLYBRICKS: "Girl" (Primitive, KinkyBootBeast)THE BEATLES: "Another Girl" (Parlophone, Help!)--THE JELLYBRICKS: "Got Away" (Kool Kat Musik, Power This)THE CONCRETES: "You Can't Hurry Love" (Licking Fingers, CD single)SEX CLARK 5: "Fool I Was" (Skyclad, Antedium)LIBERATOR: "Won't Go Away" (National, CD single)TAVARES: "Free Ride" (EMI, The Best Of Tavares)JAMES CHANCE: "Contort Yourself [original version]" (MOJO, VA: Red Hot Chili Peppers Jukebox)SHEBANG: "Sheena Is A Punk Rocker" (Avex Trax, Shebang)THE RAMONES: "I Wanna Be Sedated" (Rhino, Road To Ruin)--THE GRIP WEEDS: "Save My Life" (Rainbow Quartz, Summer Of A Thousand Years)~~~THE WEEKEND STOPS HERE ENDRUN! (Sunday night only; no Wednesday playback):ROCKFOUR: "Honey" (Rainbow Quartz, Nationwide)HAWAII MUD BOMBERS: "One Of The Brave" (Wizzard In Vinyl, The Best So Far)ESOTERIC: "Believe In Nothing" (Peak, Artifact)THE HOODOO GURUS: "Something's Coming" (RCA, Kinky)PARKER: "Never Again" (Parker, Pogo Pogo)THE JELLYBRICKS: "Bittersweet Day" (Rite-Off, Soapopera)YELLOW MAGIC ORCHESTRA: "Day Tripper" (Restless, Solid State Survivor) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mymooladi Posted July 28, 2004 Share Posted July 28, 2004 WAAAY COOL!!! Congratulations Bernie. June Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marvin Posted July 28, 2004 Share Posted July 28, 2004 Congratulations Bernie and Tommy. Maybe soon we'll be seeing Eric's name (along with yours) on the Billboard charts again! Ok how the heck did these people get a hold of the song?Marvin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marlene Posted July 28, 2004 Share Posted July 28, 2004 and i think this is only the beginning........ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JumpMan Posted July 28, 2004 Share Posted July 28, 2004 Congratulations Bernie! Thats awsome! Hope Cleveland radio picks up on the song. Could/Should us Clevelanders (sp?) call the local radio stations to request the song? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aggiesjc Posted July 28, 2004 Share Posted July 28, 2004 Bernie, how does anyone else know about the song, or have it to play on radio? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mannoman Posted July 28, 2004 Share Posted July 28, 2004 Bernie, that's fantastic. Maybe the story (and song) should be 'leaked' to a few well chosen (friendly) stations. I remember some years back Eric was on Good Morning America - any good contacts remaining there? I know they change personnel as often as they change socks but, hey ya never know. A spot on GMA or Today and --- awaaay we go!Ted Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The NH Bushman Posted July 28, 2004 Share Posted July 28, 2004 Tony,I'm hooking Kyle up.BerniePS: Just heard today that a radio station in Japan might be spinning "Never Say Die." I'll let you know if that happens :-) Bernie, anything going on in Taiwan? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Raspbernie Posted July 28, 2004 Author Share Posted July 28, 2004 Michael,I can get you a HIGH-RES file (suitable for radio play :-) if you know somebody.Bernie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blackhawkpat Posted July 28, 2004 Share Posted July 28, 2004 I just sent the story to Bob Stroud, who is a lifetime fan of the Raspberries and Eric Carmen, and does a radio show in Chicago called Rock and Roll Roots.Gina recently posted how Stroud mentioned Dave Smalley's birthday here in Chicago.Let's spread the word people!!!!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Poor4Life Posted July 28, 2004 Share Posted July 28, 2004 Pat, keep everyone posted if Stroud says anything, I'm in Chicago but dont get to listen to his show anymore.Jeff Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marvin Posted July 28, 2004 Share Posted July 28, 2004 Every musician I've ever read about has always spoken about the exhilaration they felt when they first heard one of their songs on the radio. Bernie I know that "NSD" is not your song, but considering the work you did on it, it might as well be. You might soon get that same thrill.Marvin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marvin Posted July 28, 2004 Share Posted July 28, 2004 Wow! Incredible! Pretty soon 200+ posts on one topic. A new record (pun intended)!Marvin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony Cartmill Posted July 28, 2004 Share Posted July 28, 2004 I just wanted to be # 200 post! What prize do I win Bernie? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
seattlesteve Posted July 28, 2004 Share Posted July 28, 2004 I may have a couple of contacts in radio too out here. How does it work? Is it OK for any station to play the file as long as it's unreleased to gauge release interest, and then if it subsequently officially released, all bootlegs have to cease and desist?Steve Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Raspbernie Posted July 28, 2004 Author Share Posted July 28, 2004 I don't believe there is any problem whatsoever with radio stations playing the song. Both Eric and Desmond have their songwriting copyrights filed for the tune. It may be quite a surprise to see the title "Never Say Die" come up on their quarterly BMI reports, though :-) Anyway, anyone who is thinking about sending the song to radio stations should contact me or Tommy Allen for something HIGH-RES that would be better suited for airplay. I'm all in favor of "Never Say Die" growing via a grassroots movement and spreading virally from computer to computer and from local radio show to local radio show. Stranger things have happened.Bernie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.