Music is all that maters...

[Wendy-Ann]

Everyone has their own reasons for visiting this board - There is no right or wrong.

Right! That IS my point and I do not have a problem speaking about other subjects as that's what I like to do. I also did not post the original post, I responded to it with the belief (as you stated) there is no right or wrong of why we are here.

When I came on board, there was a plenty for me to choose from and that was cool for me! I loved it! No one told me I HAD to talk about music, therefore I didn't. And I am happy that I had more than one subject to choose from.

[Wendy-Ann]

Here's another cool page courtesy of the Internet Archive...made even cooler because we're over 2.5 million hits right now:

ERICCARMEN.COM - 16,000 HITS

Bernie

Bernie, none of this is coming through at least for me.

[Kirk]

Did you try clicking on 'impatient?'...I waited a long time for something to load, but clicking 'impatient?' took me right there.

[Wendy-Ann]

Did you try clicking on 'impatient?'...I waited a long time for something to load, but clicking 'impatient?' took me right there.

THANKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[marvin]

At the risk of assumptions being made that I have no other interests, rest assured that I do. My main interest on this Board is music.

[Wendy-Ann]

I personally assumed nothing about you, perhaps someone else did but I can't speak for them. I merely added a post on why I like coming to this board, why I obviously don't feel that paying the name sake (or anyone else) a compliment is infantile, what I've learned from people who have taken the time to post here and how cool it is to have many subjects to talk about if one so wishes. Nothing more...nothing less.

[ira]

I peeked in on the home page for years before I found the message board - I was one of those people who never knew there was anything beyond the home page! I remember seeing the picture of the 4 guys together from 1998 I think and I was so excited that something might be happening! It only took me until 2004 to find the message board - "Hi, my name is Tim and I was really computer illiterate."

Tim

I had the EXACT experience as you Tim...UNTIL....I read a review of the first reunion concert which quoted a Darlene Brandt of New Jersey.

I looked her up and called her on the phone...we spoke...I fell in love with her...She told me how to find the message board!

5,000 + posts later...For better or worse...my friend Tommy can testify that there's no "Lack Of Ira" on EC.com.

[MikeC]

Marvin, I'll have to read these posts later, as I'm going through my football games to figure out who will win in these early hours(About 4:35 A.M. here). It's three hours earlier than the time shown on each post.

I like music alot. But what I notice is both maturity and immaturity, sometimes. For instance, I always look at posts as oppinions. And stepping into the real world, there are many oppinions. Sometimes people disaggree. And that's alright.

I posted once to get a balance of thought on a topic. Well, someone thought I was leaning one way, when the topic didn't explain the full thought. I had to explain the side that wasn't being explained. Another time, someone famous was upset at me, not realizing that I had read something on the internet supposedly said by someone he knows. It turned out later, that what I said was confirmed in a recent magazine, a month ago. And it mentioned how another person was approved by them. The same thing that I mentioned from another story. My original post was positive, so I'm glad it was confirmed by a famous magazine of something I read years ago, and mentioned again.

[marvin]

I feel sorry for you.[For missing the Beatles]

Steve I didn't really miss out on the Beatles. I just wasn't old enough to remember them when they existed. This was mostly due to the fact that up until I was about eight years old, my family moved around a fair bit - to and from three different countries, actually. Never really got grounded until we landed in Canada in 1967. My recollection of actually listening to music and being captivated by it only goes back to when I was about 10, and by that time the Beatles had broken up.

I accumulated a wealth of musical knowledge in a very short time from my dad. He taught me EVERYTHING about the Beatles. I clearly remember him bringing home the 45rpm of "Hey Jude", which I still own. So while I might not have been 'there' when the Beatles were happening, I certainly don't feel as if I missed out on them.

Music has a way of touching people in different ways. I wouldn't begin to assume that my emotional involvement is bigger or better than anyone else's. I just know that I've never been able to explain to anyone in my circle of friends/family how much music means to me, and how much it basically all began for me with Raspberries.

Thanks for reading.

[GMan]

Kudos to your Dad, Marvin. He knew what he was doing! Even though I was young myself. 9 thru 15. I saw every Ed Sullivan show they were on. I saved every penny, nickel, and dime to buy their records! I couldn't wait for the next album to come out. I was, and still am obsessed with them. I felt the same way when I first heard Wally's explosive guitar intro and Eric's Ungodly voice! They were my second coming indeed!

[marvin]

Kudos to your Dad, Marvin. He knew what he was doing! Even though I was young myself. 9 thru 15. I saw every Ed Sullivan show they were on. I saved every penny, nickel, and dime to buy their records! I couldn't wait for the next album to come out. I was, and still am obsessed with them. I felt the same way when I first heard Wally's explosive guitar intro and Eric's Ungodly voice! They were my second coming indeed!

Thanks Giro. Yeah, even though my dad was a HUGE fan of Country music, he was pretty in-tune with the Pop music of the day, regularly picking up the 'hit' 45's such as "No Matter What", "Crocodile Rock", etc.

[GMan]

You were so lucky, Marv. My dad absolutely abhored The Beatles and anything else from that time. He even flung my "Electric Ladyland" album right out the front window! Lol I laugh as I tell this now but at that time I was traumatized. lol

[marvin]

Just to show that I really didn't miss the Beatles, the first album my dad bought me was "Introducing the Beatles" on the VeeJay label - which brings a handy sum out in the collector's market.

[GMan]

I have 4 of those! The American version of the "Please Please Me" album!

[marvin]

This thread, as most are wont to do, as morphed into something else. All good, and all comes back to my initial point about music and the reason why we first gravitated to this site

[MJ]

I joined in 2007 because I loved the music of the Raspberries and both the Eric Carmen and Raspberries sites were merging together at that time. I've always loved music and to find people like Marvin, Steve, Giro, Bahoo, Darlene, Diane and all the countless others it was like a new adventure - finally lots of people to talk about music with - all types of music. Going to see the band in 2007 was one of the greatest things I've ever seen - and inspired me to pick up a bass and play it. I would have never even thought to do so until I came onto this board and talked and watched all this great music and video. I really don't venture into many topics except for the music and video conversations, and sometimes to Everything if someone has some bad news or a birthday. I think though that most of the threads that talk music should stay that way and not be derailed as sometimes they are (oh and I know I have been one of the derailers at times)... usually just to stop a huge fight between people on the board though. P.S. Marv - Esctacy is better than TONIGHT LMAO.

[marvin]

I joined in 2007 because I loved the music of the Raspberries and both the Eric Carmen and Raspberries sites were merging together at that time. I've always loved music and to find people like Marvin, Steve, Giro, Bahoo, Darlene, Diane and all the countless others it was like a new adventure - finally lots of people to talk about music with - all types of music. Going to see the band in 2007 was one of the greatest things I've ever seen - and inspired me to pick up a bass and play it. I would have never even thought to do so until I came onto this board and talked and watched all this great music and video. I really don't venture into many topics except for the music and video conversations, and sometimes to Everything if someone has some bad news or a birthday. I think though that most of the threads that talk music should stay that way and not be derailed as sometimes they are (oh and I know I have been one of the derailers at times)... usually just to stop a huge fight between people on the board though. P.S. Marv - Esctacy is better than TONIGHT LMAO.

..and MJ's friendship is one that has come through these music discussions. "Ecstacy" is great. "Tonight" is greater!

[GMan]

Alright MJ!! Now play that thing, girl!!! And for those who haven't heard....she sure CAN!

[Paulie Mississippi]

I have no recollection of the Beatles prior to about 1970 (I was 11). The Raspberries were MY Beatles.

Marvin, I'm with you here... I was also 11 in '70; and aside from "The Monkees" on television, had previously had little to do with music/records... even when I started listening to the radio and AT40 and such, it was not until I heard "Go All The Way" on the radio that suddenly music was much more relevant. I became a regular record buyer. (So much so that I have purchased damn near every release... at least once... in the case of "Starting Over", I think I have purchased that album eight... maybe ten times... of course LP, 8-Track, Cassette, and CD account for four of them... I've gifted it twice at least... and had a broken tape or scratched vinyl a couple of times... LOL)

Even though I "talk" about other stuff... I agree (with a caveat) that the "Music is all that matters...", in part because it was and is great and timeless... and in part because without the music having been, most of us would have never met... here or in real life.

[Paulie Mississippi]

P.S. Marv - Esctacy is better than TONIGHT LMAO.

Gotta side with MJ here... Tonight should have been a hit, Ecstacy would have been a hit.

[marvin]

Capitol, in their infinite wisdom,didn't even bother to try releasing "Ecstacy" as a single.

[angelina]

Capitol, in their infinite wisdom,didn't even bother to try releasing "Ecstacy" as a single.

I know...let's have a "Tonight" versus "Ecstacy" debate!

I bet no one ever thought of that yet! LOL (BTW..."Ecstacy" would've been HUGE)

[marvin]

I know...let's have a "Tonight" versus "Ecstacy" debate!

I bet no one ever thought of that yet! LOL (BTW..."Ecstacy" would've been HUGE)

At the 'berries show at BBK in NYC, Diane introduced me to a friend of hers who used to work for Capitol Records in the 1970's. I jokingly said to him, "It's all YOUR fault! If it wasn't for you, Raspberries would have been big!" He laughed, and said, "Yes, I know. We were so focused on pushing Steve Miller, Grand Funk and others, we lost sight of bands like Raspberries."

I love getting into the "Tonight" vs "Ecsztasy" debate. Steve, John, MJ and I have been batting this one back and forth for years. I totally agree that "Ecstasy" is more pleasing (melodically) to the ear, but for me, "Tonight" captures the essence of the band. I don't necessarily think it's a better song, it just has elements that work for me.

[GMan]

You know, this debate takes me way back. I remember when I got the "Side 3" album and I put it on my turntable, I mean I was in awe..."Tonight" really rocked my world. I mean it blew me off the carpet. After that sonic assault I remember hearing "Ecstasy" on side two. It reminded me so much of "The Who". I really love both tunes for different reasons but Marvin makes a great point when he said that "Tonight" grabs the essence of Raspberries. I cannot disagree.

[marvin]

You know, this debate takes me way back. I remember when I got the "Side 3" album and I put it on my turntable, I mean I was in awe..."Tonight" really rocked my world. I mean it blew me off the carpet. After that sonic assault I remember hearing "Ecstasy" on side two. It reminded me so much of "The Who". I really love both tunes for different reasons but Marvin makes a great point when he said that "Tonight" grabs the essence of Raspberries. I cannot disagree.

And while the influences on "Ecstasy" are fairly obvious (the Who, among others..), I had no idea that Eric was chanelling Steve Mariott and the Small Faces when he wrote "Tonight." This led me to explore that band's catalogue, and made me a fan of some of their work.