LobsterLvr Posted June 24, 2012 Share Posted June 24, 2012 I've loved the Raspberries' music for 40 years now, but I've never really loved the name they chose. And honestly, I think the name held them back professionally. So today I tried coming up with a better name for the band. It's not easy!! (As Eric and Bernie explained in "Marathon Man".) But now that we know their library of music: the themes of young love and angst, first cars, first sex, rock n roll, good times, heartaches, summer lust, etc. here's the name I think they should've gone with: "Tonight". Yeah, I know, it looks familiar. Heck they probably sing that word collectively over 200 times in the songs they recorded. But if they were called "Tonight" instead of "Raspberries" I think things might have been different. But of course the first album would not have smelt so sweet! Dave Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rockynrobyn1977 Posted June 25, 2012 Share Posted June 25, 2012 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paulie Mississippi Posted June 25, 2012 Share Posted June 25, 2012 I imagine they'd have preferred the "sweet" smell of success over that sticker any day. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Batman Posted June 25, 2012 Share Posted June 25, 2012 I actually think "Raspberries" is a unique and very cool name for the band. They were a bit before my time, but everyone instantly recognizes the intro to "Go All The Way". A Raspberry by any other name would sound as good! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LatetotheParty Posted June 25, 2012 Share Posted June 25, 2012 Strangely enough, I just can't imagine them with any other name! And I really thought about it! That being said, I wonder any of the band members asked themselves this question or ever came up with a "better" idea (even in jest)... Jean Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jerry Posted June 26, 2012 Share Posted June 26, 2012 LobsterLvr said: I've loved the Raspberries' music for 40 years now, but I've never really loved the name they chose. And honestly, I think the name held them back professionally. I agree...and I think it was brave of you to broach the subject. We won't even go into 'Raspberries' vs 'The Raspberries'... that's been beaten to death. I've said the same thing about my favorite Chicago band... The Elvis Brothers. Friends told he how great they were, but with a name like that, I figured they were a novelty act. Boy, was I wrong... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
raspathens Posted June 26, 2012 Share Posted June 26, 2012 I'll beat it to death a bit more.Look at that their first album cover - a mod punk look that appears a bit dangerous. You are curious about the music this group makes. And they weren't "The" anything. By 1972, there were fewer "The" named groups because one word names or names without the "The" were a lot cooler and newer sounding - America, Chicago, Pink Floyd and yes, Raspberries. Put a "The" in front of Raspberries and it changes the whole dynamic. The thinking should have been, well, we'll call 'em Raspberries but a lot of folks will naturally put the "The" in front of it so maybe not. The original name, with the proper image, and if a concerted effort was made to keep the "The" out, would have probably worked out in the long run. Then came along their second album, I think musically their best, but put that cover with Raspberries or The Raspberries or even "Rogue Slashers", and its hard to give the album to someone at a birthday party in '73, have it unwrapped in front of everyone and not look like you just got off the short bus. Happened to me at Wendy Wheeler's birthday party, but I digress.In summation, I think the original name was probably fine but really lapsed into a problem having more to do with the image that surrounded it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sid Posted June 26, 2012 Share Posted June 26, 2012 I see a pattern here. The worst name for a great group, in my opinion, was Cyrus Erie. In fact Erie is a horrible name for your lake, it should be changed to Lake Ohio. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kirk Posted June 26, 2012 Share Posted June 26, 2012 I think this calls for a combo name- based on prior groups. Something like: QuickSilenceErieChoir...wonder why they didn't think of that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wendy-Ann Posted June 26, 2012 Share Posted June 26, 2012 If other bands before them were running around with names like Herman's Hermits, the Turtles, the Trogs, Mott the Hoople, Humble Pie and even The Beatles, I don't know who would have cared to think twice about a name like Raspberries. Personally, I don't see how adding THE in front of it changes anything, but to each his own and I always do enjoy what you have to say, Dave. I like the logic you add to your posts. And yes, I too think it is natural to want to add THE in front of Raspberries as raspberries are a fruit and that fruit is in their logo, so people associate the name with the fruit. And I do know what the other "raspberries" are, but most people don't think of that when speaking about the band. However, America, Chicago and Pink Floyd do not make sense with THE in front of them, so it is natural that THE is not placed before the name of those bands. In the end, it is really what the band decided that counts. And if they didn't want THE before Raspberries, then the band is Raspberries, (even though I am compelled to say THE Raspberries). And great music is great music with or without the word THE in front of a name, and even if the name reminds one of a sweet, wonderful, delicious...fruit. And BTW Dave, my niece rode the short bus and she loves what she knows of the band's music. So you would have been in good company if you too would have ridden it. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
raspathens Posted June 26, 2012 Share Posted June 26, 2012 I woke up this morning realizing that the "short bus" comment was insensitive. Sorry. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jerry Posted June 26, 2012 Share Posted June 26, 2012 Sid said: I see a pattern here. The worst name for a great group, in my opinion, was Cyrus Erie. In fact Erie is a horrible name for your lake, it should be changed to Lake Ohio. To my ears, Cyrus Erie always had a country/hillbilly feel to it... like Rascal Flatts. I guess they were just ahead of their time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LobsterLvr Posted June 26, 2012 Author Share Posted June 26, 2012 In summation, I think the original name was probably fine but really lapsed into a problem having more to do with the image that surrounded it. Totally agree. "The Romantics" managed to get away with a lovey-dovey name and keep their rock image. (The) Raspberries weren't as fortunate. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Batman Posted June 26, 2012 Share Posted June 26, 2012 The name Cyrus Erie came from the farm equipment manufacturer. This is also how the group Buffalo Springfield got their name...from a tractor! Maybe someone should try the name John Deere or International Harvester next!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wendy-Ann Posted June 26, 2012 Share Posted June 26, 2012 I knew you didn't mean it as such, I was just reassuring you that you're in good company is anyone ever looks at you that way. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sid Posted June 28, 2012 Share Posted June 28, 2012 The plus side is whenever I spread raspberry jam on my toast I can't help but think.."Please...Gooooo all the wayyyyy" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave from Equinox Posted June 28, 2012 Share Posted June 28, 2012 Sid said: The plus side is whenever I spread raspberry jam on my toast I can't help but think.."Please...Gooooo all the wayyyyy" I do that whenever I eat raspberries or even see them in the grocery store! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
darlene Posted July 1, 2012 Share Posted July 1, 2012 It may not ever have sold records, but they were all hotties, and I think "Hotties" would have been very apropos. It still is, whether you use a "The" in front of it or not. Then my EC.com screenname could have been "Hotties72" like Steve's is "hollies66." haha --D 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LatetotheParty Posted July 1, 2012 Share Posted July 1, 2012 darlene said: Then my EC.com screenname could have been "Hotties72" like Steve's is "hollies66." haha I like it Darlene.... Jean Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LobsterLvr Posted July 1, 2012 Author Share Posted July 1, 2012 darlene said: It may not ever have sold records, but they were all hotties, and I think "Hotties" would have been very apropos. It still is, whether you use a "The" in front of it or not. Then my EC.com screenname could have been "Hotties72" like Steve's is "hollies66." haha funny!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cts Posted July 18, 2012 Share Posted July 18, 2012 Funny you should mention this. Since I've been listening to alot or Raspberries the last few months, I had thought to myself that "tonight" must be Eric's absolute favorite word, or image.It really does stick out, if you think about it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cts Posted July 18, 2012 Share Posted July 18, 2012 Sid said: I see a pattern here. The worst name for a great group, in my opinion, was Cyrus Erie. In fact Erie is a horrible name for your lake, it should be changed to Lake Ohio. Actually, I've always like that name. Bet they could have done better with it. Though not from Ohio, I've picked up some of the lingo. How about Mentor Euclid? Moses Cleveland? Cleve-Cuya? Plain Dealers? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anne Posted July 18, 2012 Share Posted July 18, 2012 Either that or "Mama mama yeah yeah". Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kirk Posted July 19, 2012 Share Posted July 19, 2012 cts said: Funny you should mention this. Since I've been listening to alot or Raspberries the last few months, I had thought to myself that "tonight" must be Eric's absolute favorite word, or image. It really does stick out, if you think about it. Eric talked about the use of "tonight" in his songs awhile back...it conveys a sense of urgency- the song wouldn't have the same meaning if you substituted "tomorrow" or "sometime" or whatever else would fit. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matthew C. Clark Posted July 19, 2012 Share Posted July 19, 2012 Or you might want to call it "Razzy Bailey" (country singer). Matt Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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