Raspbernie Posted March 17, 2009 Share Posted March 17, 2009 Hard Rock Serves Up Some Raspberries by Anastasia Pantsios It’s good to see the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame finally involving the actual museum and the Cleveland community in the induction hoopla with a weeklong series of events, similar to how the Football Hall of Fame in Canton handles its annual induction. And it’s great to see some Cleveland musicians involved. Influential ’70s pop-rockers the Raspberries (whom many believe belong in the hall themselves) were tapped to play at a private VIP party at the Hall Friday night. They’re taking advantage of being all together (bassist Dave Smalley lives out of town) to publicly donate some memorabilia to the Hard Rock Café in Tower City. They’ll be at the Hard Rock from 12:30-1:30 p.m. Saturday for a free and open-to-the-public event, where the foursome — rhythm guitarist Eric Carmen, lead guitarist Wally Bryson, drummer Jim Bonfanti and Smalley — will present the Hard Rock organization with some tour posters, drum heads and a limited-edition lithograph. “We’re going to sign the bass head on Saturday,” says Bonfanti. “They’re going to take the stuff and ship it to their headquarters in Orlando, put it together in a frame and bring it back to Cleveland for a while. Then it’ll move around to different Hard Rocks.” The group, which broke up in early 1975, was a progenitor of what became known as power-pop, distinguished by its revved-up rendition of the ’60s British invasion sound with ringing guitars and soaring four-part vocal harmonies. During their time together, they had seven charting singles, including the unforgettable 1972 summer anthem “Go All the Way,” which peaked at No. 5. The band reunited with the classic lineup that recorded three of the band’s four albums — the self-titled 1972 debut, Fresh later the same year and 1973’s Side 3 — in November 2004 to open Cleveland’s House of Blues. They’ve played sporadically since then, with their last appearance at PlayhouseSquare’s State Theatre in December 2007. Since their comeback, the ’berries have augmented their original lineup with additional players to better replicate the often lush sound of their records. One of those musicians, multi-instrumentalist Paul Sidoti, has recently joined Taylor Swift’s band, so the Raspberries have tapped Paul Christensen of Michael Stanley’s Resonators and blues-rocker the Midlife Chryslers. “He’s one hell of a sax player — although we don’t have that much sax in our songs,” says Bonfanti. “He’s also a good keyboard player, good singer and a nice person.” Bonfanti’s pumped to attend the actual induction, to which the whole band has been invited. “I’ve never been to one,” he says. “I think it’s going to be cool, and the fact that the whole thing is in Cleveland is exciting.” —Cleveland Scene, March 17, 2009 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TOMMY TUNES Posted March 17, 2009 Share Posted March 17, 2009 Good to see Raspberries playing out again. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LC Posted March 17, 2009 Share Posted March 17, 2009 Oh yeah! (How about a live feed to EC.com?) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TOMMY TUNES Posted March 17, 2009 Share Posted March 17, 2009 LC said: Oh yeah! (How about a live feed to EC.com?) What a great idea LC. Too bad it'll never happen. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marvin Posted March 17, 2009 Share Posted March 17, 2009 Is there any indication when/where the 'berries are playing, and if it's open to the public? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Al K Posted March 17, 2009 Share Posted March 17, 2009 Here's what I know: It's a private VIP event at the Rock Hall the night before the induction ceremony for the Rock Hall board, the nominating committee, any inductees and Rock Hall guests, the major induction week event sponsors, corporate donors and those who payed the big bucks to attend the ceremony. This event is not open to the public and no tickets are available.AL Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Al K Posted March 17, 2009 Share Posted March 17, 2009 Also, the list of artists on the website are those acts that are playing at the various public and private events throughout induction week. All of these artists are not playing together at one show, although many of them are on the bill for The Moondog Coronation Ball concert on March 28th. Also, our own "overdub" Billy Sullivan is now a full time member of Peter Noone's band and will be performing at The Moondog Coronation Ball!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marvin Posted March 17, 2009 Share Posted March 17, 2009 Congratulations to the band and, thanks Al for posting info that I'm sure you're getting inundated to provide. Great promo for the band that hopefully will lead to future shows that we can attend. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TOMMY TUNES Posted March 17, 2009 Share Posted March 17, 2009 marvin said: Congratulations to the band and, thanks Al for posting info that I'm sure you're getting inundated to provide. Great promo for the band that hopefully will lead to future shows that we can attend. ...and hopefully great exposure to the HOF voters and powers that be for future HOF consideration. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tim From Wisconsin Posted March 17, 2009 Share Posted March 17, 2009 Very cool! Will overdubs be involved, or is it just Eric, Wally, Jim, and Dave? Too bad we can't attend - I hope it leads to future gigs in '09! Congrats to all! Tim Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HT from Mo Posted March 17, 2009 Share Posted March 17, 2009 Congratulations to the band! Look forward to some pictures?<hint, hint> Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
canadianchick Posted March 17, 2009 Share Posted March 17, 2009 This is great news indeed...thanks Al and Bernie...and Wally,Jim,Eric & Dave....show them what they've been missing all these years.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Raspyrock Posted March 17, 2009 Share Posted March 17, 2009 I LIKE IT!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MARIANNA Posted March 17, 2009 Share Posted March 17, 2009 Congrats to the RASPBERRIES! ROCK AND ROLL HALL OF FAME appearance! When are you guys coming back to New York City??? Raspberries Rock in New Jersey !! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MJ Posted March 17, 2009 Share Posted March 17, 2009 I wish someone would video it (hint hint)Perhaps it will light a fire under the band to get out on the road again - I'll keep some vacation time handy just in case......I hope they all have a great time! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GMan Posted March 17, 2009 Share Posted March 17, 2009 MARIANNA said: Congrats to the RASPBERRIES! ROCK AND ROLL HALL OF FAME appearance! When are you guys coming back to New York City??? Raspberries Rock in New Jersey !! Yes Indeed Guys!!! That is so great to hear....and Marianna...you are so right!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Betsey Posted March 18, 2009 Share Posted March 18, 2009 Way to Go Raspberries! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chris hess Posted March 18, 2009 Share Posted March 18, 2009 you've got to be shitting me!!! this made my day!! i can't find words to express my happiness!! what is the real scoop??!! lol,chris Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hollies65 Posted March 18, 2009 Share Posted March 18, 2009 Well...the real scoop is you or I can't go. I tried calling in favors...and I do have favors coming over there...It appears I can't go. Oh well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chris hess Posted March 18, 2009 Share Posted March 18, 2009 hey,do'nt give up hope!! maybe we can see some video!!!! you never know my friend!! lol,chris Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jay52 Posted March 18, 2009 Share Posted March 18, 2009 I am so happy for the band! I wish them all the luck in the world. What a time its going to be!Absolutely fantastic! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kirk Posted March 18, 2009 Share Posted March 18, 2009 Spring Raspberries- It's what's for the RnR HOF! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CubbiefanMike Posted March 18, 2009 Share Posted March 18, 2009 Congrats to Eric and the band What a great honor the Raspberries can make a statement to show and remind the voters why they should be inducted! Hopefully if its not filmed professionally it makes it on youtube. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tim From Wisconsin Posted March 18, 2009 Share Posted March 18, 2009 chris hess said: you've got to be shitting me!!! this made my day!! i can't find words to express my happiness!! what is the real scoop??!! lol,chris Wow, Look at you swearing like a sailor - I like it! That's the kind of genuine excitement we need on this board. Tim Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CubbiefanMike Posted March 18, 2009 Share Posted March 18, 2009 I get the feeling this is going to replace the pictures of the Les Paul event on the home page. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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