Wendy-Ann Posted March 3, 2011 Share Posted March 3, 2011 LC said: Wow! Excellent post, Wendy. Very moving, too... what a nice way to start the day. You really captured something that I noticed (#9 in my original post here), but didn't put into words so effectively or perfectly: the sheer joy of 'berries fans in the hours and minutes leading up to the one concert I saw. Thanks Larry. It came from the heart! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MAM Posted March 3, 2011 Share Posted March 3, 2011 Very excellent post Wendy. My wife and I left the theater that evening higher than a kite (due to the quality of the performance of course!), and we talk about it often. I've been to hundred's of concerts in my life, but none of them affected me the way this one did. Not even the November 2004 show.Again, excellent post. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kelly Lake Posted March 5, 2011 Share Posted March 5, 2011 You all were so fortunate who got to see the band peform at the reunion shows! I just got my DVD of the House of Blues LA performance yesterday and spent last night watching/listening, I would have LOVED to have been there! I didn't even know there were reunion concerts until just recently...although I was a huge fan in the mid 70's of the Raspberries, I didn't realize until a few months ago they'd gotten back together to do some shows a few years back...I am very thankful for the DVD and the concert CD...I could feel the excitement just from watching the concert, next best thing to having actually been there!!Kelly Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LC Posted March 5, 2011 Author Share Posted March 5, 2011 Kelly, I feel bad that I saw only one reunion show (though I bought tix for a second, the finale in Cleveland, but got snowed in). I feel worse for those who never got to see even one.... The atmosphere, as others here have described so well, was electric. Well, at least we get to watch some really top-notch footage of the 'berries at their best via a DVD. And who knows, Kelly? Maybe Eric will get inspired to a solo show in the future. He was close to announcing a show around two or three years ago, but it got shelved.... Can't remember the reason, but I'll try to find the thread. Hang in there, and welcome to the board. Best, Larry Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kelly Lake Posted March 5, 2011 Share Posted March 5, 2011 Hi Larry, Thanks for your reply and warm welcome to the board....yes, it is amazing that you did get to see one reunion show, and who knows, maybe Eric will do some solo shows and that would be awesome to see those....I keep thinking back to the 70's when I used to go to a lot of concerts in the Seattle area when I was 17, 18 and I don't know now why I didn't see the Raspberries then...I am sure they must have played in Seattle/Tacoma WA area? Maybe someone knows for sure...anyway, I am thankful I have the reunion DVD, I enjoyed it so much last night on my first viewing...a few times I was going to step away from watching to get something, and I would start to go and then stop because I had to see/hear the rest of the song!!! (I guess that's why they have the 'pause' button on DVD players LOL!)...but I didn't even want to pause! I loved "I'm a Rocker" on the DVD...Billy, Paul and Wally of course were smoking on the guitars...Eric's vocals are just still so amazing...and they all sound so strong, so fabulous! Although I didn't get to see any live shows then and now, I am so glad for what is on video new and the old clips are fantastic too! all the best too!Kelly Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LC Posted March 5, 2011 Author Share Posted March 5, 2011 Hi Kelly, If you haven't read the Marathon Man book (by Bernie, our host here at EC.com, and Ken Sharp), pick up a copy. It's loaded with great insights into the Raspberries' beginnings (along with Eric's solo career, of course). And I especially love all the artwork Bernie has sprinkled throughout the book. And, to get to the point of this reply, I got a huge kick out of seeing the Raspberries crazy tour schedule of 1974-75 (pp. 174-177). I just pulled it out so I could look up the Washington State dates from that tour, by which time Dave Smalley and Jim Bonfanti left, replaced by Scott McCarl and Mike McBride. Anyway, I found that the 'berries played on 5/14/74 in Seattle at Alderwood High School (I hope that wasn't your school!). Bernie got the information, as the book notes, from McCarl, who kept a "detailed diary of the band's performances." I'll have to dig around for tour dates from 1972-74. Maybe one of our Seattle friends on the board remembers.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paulie Mississippi Posted March 6, 2011 Share Posted March 6, 2011 Don't forget that the book is also available now electronically. Bernie posted about that recently and I think there's info on our home page too! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jackie Posted March 7, 2011 Share Posted March 7, 2011 Not sure if I can articulate quite as much as I would like, but , here goes…..I had the opportunity to see all the Cleveland shows and also 2 NYC shows. The most poignant moment for me was the first show in Cleveland. I had posted quite awhile ago my memories of my teens and going to Raspberries shows. Fast forward 30+ years later and we had come full circle. I attended this show with my closest friend who was also my partner in crime many years ago. There was such a surge of emotion when the screen was lowered and the opening montage started—I could not begin to explain the array and intensity of feelings—what I felt---the lump in my throat and tears in our eyes coupled with extreme happiness---while watching the visuals set to the music of the band. You see, this band was an integral part of our teen years—the memories and soundtrack so to speak. So, looking in hindsight I am very happy to have had the privilege to see this reunion come to fruition. I love to go to concerts when I can (big music fan!) and the Raspberries reunion will forever be etched in my mind. I thank Eric, Wally, Jim, and Dave for that…… Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tiggsherby Posted March 7, 2011 Share Posted March 7, 2011 I, for one, still think that Eric could be successful touring on his own as: "Eric Carmen's Raspberries", he and Jim are still friends (I think) so you'd have 1/2 the band, add Billy Sullivan and a few others "players" and BINGO....we got ourseleves the best of both worlds (half solo material and half 'Berrie's tunes). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marathon mama Posted March 7, 2011 Share Posted March 7, 2011 I'd like to hear Eric singing a solo version of any or many of the Raspberries' songs in an orchestra concert! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kelly Lake Posted March 7, 2011 Share Posted March 7, 2011 Hi Larry,No, fortunately Alderwood High wasn't my high school...I don't think they ever came to Curtis High School in Tacoma WA..or probably ever played in Tacoma...but I thought they would have been to Seattle...thanks for letting me know this date for sure....thanks for telling me about the Marathon Man, I would love to read it, but can you order it if you don't have a Kindle or an IPad or newer Iphone, etc...? I just have a fairly old cell phone and a desk top computer...my mom does have a Kindle though, and I could get her to order it for me and read it maybe on hers?thanks, I would love to read the book for sure!Kelly Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Raspbernie Posted March 7, 2011 Share Posted March 7, 2011 Kelly, Amazon has free programs that allow you to read Kindle books on a PC or Mac.Bernie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kelly Lake Posted March 7, 2011 Share Posted March 7, 2011 Thanks, Bernie! I will be ordering Marathon Man tonight as soon as I get back home from work! and then, probably stay up half the night reading it :-)!Kelly Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LC Posted March 7, 2011 Author Share Posted March 7, 2011 Kelly Lake, what Bernie said.... But also, to answer your question about a hard copy of the book: It's out of print and hard to find. Occasionally you see a copy pop up on eBay, but it sells for quite a bit higher than the cover price (especially if autographed by Eric!). Have I seen copies go into three figures? Anybody? So... just to enjoy the material, it's best to get it onto your computer... and then watch for that stray copy of the first printing. Seems like people who bought them won't let them out of their steely grips! (Isn't that nice, Bernie? I wish I'd have bought a dozen copies just to resell!) Best, Larry Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kelly Lake Posted March 9, 2011 Share Posted March 9, 2011 I just had to say I ordered "Marathon Man" through Smashwords and I am enjoying it so much! Thanks for letting me know about being able to purchase it to read online, since I don't have a Kindle. What a good story, lots of good details for the fans!! Also, I made my husband sit down with me Sunday night and watch the concert DVD (it was the second time I'd watched it since I got the deluxe gift set on Friday)...he really enjoyed the concert a lot, although the only songs he remembered were "Go all the Way" and "I Wanna be with you"...he thought everyone was fantastic musically...I am able to listen to the concert CDs at work so right now I am listening to "I'm A Rocker"...love the three guitar solos in there by Billy, Paul and of course Wally!! just wanted to say thanks and how glad I am to have found the live at Sunset Strip music as well as have am in the process of getting Side Three and Starting Over on CDs (have the first two)...I did just find two of my vinyl albums..Side Three and Fresh..so I propped the Fresh cover up on the wall at home upstairs by my computer like a poster!! (so fun to feel 15 again! lol!!)Kelly Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
darlene Posted March 18, 2011 Share Posted March 18, 2011 Kelly, A HUNDRED WELCOMES TO YOU !!!! I would have to say I was feeling like 24, but yes, it is SO cool to feel that "Raspberries" age again! Love your posts! --Darlene Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carol in Pgh. Posted March 29, 2011 Share Posted March 29, 2011 I have been trying to get a copy of the book myself. You would think that with it being in demand that they would start up the presses again. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
S_O_L Posted June 2, 2011 Share Posted June 2, 2011 let this old lady tell ya'll sompin...there is no such thing as an UNcool raspberry. edit...but ya know whut? this old lady just replied tothe wrong thread..ha Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LC Posted June 3, 2011 Author Share Posted June 3, 2011 Hey, thank you! I'm glad you revived this thread.... And welcome to the board! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
S_O_L Posted June 3, 2011 Share Posted June 3, 2011 well, you are certainly welcome LC! and thank YOU i was attempting to reply to the thread about wally bryson being the coolest raspberry..EACH was and is equally cool in his own way. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mulfreak Posted October 20, 2011 Share Posted October 20, 2011 Great insight! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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