marvin Posted February 14, 2014 Share Posted February 14, 2014 On the subject of who wrote what, there was this nugget in Graham Nash's book, "Wild Tales": the famous coda in "Layla", Graham claims, was actually written by Rita Coolidge and not Jim Gordon, who got all the credit for it. Ok, carry on and resume your discussions 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
birdy Posted February 14, 2014 Share Posted February 14, 2014 Wally was a gifted and amateur guitarist who didn't go on in the music business, so he didn't learn the "rules" of earning songwriter status. Eric Carmen is a gifted writer able to explain the process to laypeople and shouldn't worry about an English rag that no one is going to read anyway. He is dedicated to honesty and cares about the feelings and perceptions of others. He is a good kind soul. Eric should, as others have pointed out, enjoy and be present in the moment. He has waited effing years for this. He deserves it and has earned it. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
adelia215 Posted February 15, 2014 Share Posted February 15, 2014 I have thought really hard about a response to this. I don't think Eric should waste the effort to pen a rebuttal. I personally think that Mr. Bryson has carried around his sh*t long enough and needs to flush it. It is my understanding that he worked with disabled people for his 'regular' guy career and to be truthful, helping others is rather noble and he should be proud of that accomplishment more so than fingering some guitar strings decades ago in some recording studio. It is really sad that this issue has caused so much hurt and anger because it just cannot be let go. I know he has caused hurt and anger with this interview but please don't let it get to you. If his dream was to accomplish what you have, he should have put more effort in to it. Sounds like he needs a big hug and a thump on the head. 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mary Ellen Posted February 15, 2014 Share Posted February 15, 2014 Very well said Adelia. Although I will always know Eric was the driving force, special spirit and sound behind the Rs, everyone else involved with the band should be proud instead of complaining. We are obviously all connected, but still each on our own path in this life. I would have imagined Wally would have come to understand that concept by now. His work with disabled children is indeed noble, and he must have considerable insight to interact with those kids. Wally does need a psychic thump to wake up on this matter. M.E. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LobsterLvr Posted February 15, 2014 Share Posted February 15, 2014 Instead of re-playing the same old broken record, let's celebrate the new CD! 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
James Posted February 15, 2014 Share Posted February 15, 2014 I´ll call what Wally Bryson did in that interview what it is: mierda (shit). I (as a fan) love Wally Bryson. I love his guitar playing, his voice and his writing. He´s the perfect compliment to Eric Carmen in the Raspberries. This is all true. Of course there is so much I don´t know, nor do any of us know, about the inner-workings of the Raspberries. Having said that, I´m confident in saying that Eric Carmen was probably the best thing that ever happened to Wally Bryson, at least regarding his music career. More than being the genius behind the Raspberries success it´s clear from being around here for a while that Eric Carmen went out of his way to promote his band mates, write songs that catered to their strengths, include them in the writing process (see All Thru The Night) etc etc etc. He cared about his band mates and did what he could to improve their situations. I have had some bad co-workers/bosses/employees in the past. I´m no angel (maybe close :-) )....but even regarding those BAD apples I would not talk about them negatively to the public. I always felt it would have been wrong. So how much more wrong is it for Wally Bryson to trash Eric Carmen, given all Eric has done for him?....and worse, how much more wrong is it for Wally Bryson to do this at a time (new special album release) when Eric Carmen should be celebrated, congratulated, high-fived etc. ?? It´s bad, it´s small. It´s a shame. It will be hard for me to be a fan of Wally´s going forward. James 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
James Posted February 15, 2014 Share Posted February 15, 2014 P.S. I can´t WAIT to hear the new CD!.. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kirk Posted February 15, 2014 Share Posted February 15, 2014 The timing of the Shindig article is, at least, unfortunate. Whether or not the intent was to steal some of Eric’ thunder at this particular time, I don’t know. Whatever the reason, Eric took the bait. At a time when the focus should be on the joy and happiness of a new Eric Carmen album (double album, no less), we have Eric defending himself (once again) and his fans in a frenzy. Instead of a celebration, we have accusations and insults. I am not criticizing or condoning any of it. It’s just a little sad. Back to the celebration, for me! Can’t wait to hear the live version of “Starting Overâ€! Hey, Bernie, where’s the rest of that review- I need something to drool over until I get my EEC in the mail! 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
adelia215 Posted February 15, 2014 Share Posted February 15, 2014 I´ll call what Wally Bryson did in that interview what it is: mierda (shit). I (as a fan) love Wally Bryson. I love his guitar playing, his voice and his writing. He´s the perfect compliment to Eric Carmen in the Raspberries. This is all true. Of course there is so much I don´t know, nor do any of us know, about the inner-workings of the Raspberries. Having said that, I´m confident in saying that Eric Carmen was probably the best thing that ever happened to Wally Bryson, at least regarding his music career. More than being the genius behind the Raspberries success it´s clear from being around here for a while that Eric Carmen went out of his way to promote his band mates, write songs that catered to their strengths, include them in the writing process (see All Thru The Night) etc etc etc. He cared about his band mates and did what he could to improve their situations. I have had some bad co-workers/bosses/employees in the past. I´m no angel (maybe close :-) )....but even regarding those BAD apples I would not talk about them negatively to the public. I always felt it would have been wrong. So how much more wrong is it for Wally Bryson to trash Eric Carmen, given all Eric has done for him?....and worse, how much more wrong is it for Wally Bryson to do this at a time (new special album release) when Eric Carmen should be celebrated, congratulated, high-fived etc. ?? It´s bad, it´s small. It´s a shame. It will be hard for me to be a fan of Wally´s going forward. James Well said James, everybody who has ever worked, no matter what field they are in, has had to put up with the one co-worker that my mom always called 'the village idiot'. Well in Raspberry Village who would that be? I am sure that a group of guys, living together on the road, become like family. Add in raging testosterone and all hell will break lose at times; but you make up and get on with it. As a mother of three sons, I know a pissing match when I see one, but I also know my boys love each other and will always have the others' back which is what Wally should be doing now, not slamming his 'brother'. Just keeping it fair and non-sexist; my daughter was the worst one of the bunch, she did not and does not take crap from any of them, but she has their back. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mary Ellen Posted February 15, 2014 Share Posted February 15, 2014 Yes, these difficult feelings are sad...but the feelings and disagreements of the young with testosterone mixed in and so much closeness does tend to make forgetting more difficult... We should move on to the CD release and contest, right gang? As I said earlier on, it's happy dance time!! Mary Ellen 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marvin Posted February 15, 2014 Share Posted February 15, 2014 I hate the pot shots being taken left and right by everyone here. You want to defend _____ (fill in the blank with appropriate 'berries member name), fine, but to re-hash a subject that has been talked about for decades is not only frustrating, but also tiring. I consider the time that I've spent with each of the 'berries a blessing, and refuse to get into a public debate about who said/did what. Whatever has been said has been said. Whatever has been done has been done. One day people might turn back the pages and try to make amends, but until then, enough already. Let it go and as Kirk said, celebrate that Eric is back making music. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
James Posted February 15, 2014 Share Posted February 15, 2014 Marvin, your spin on what has happened here is almost perverted. There are no "pot shots" being taken here, just honest, decent responses to the actions of a bad actor acting bad. We are not re-hashing a subject from ancient history. We are responding to recent putrid quotes from Wally Bryson where he wrongfully demeaned a good man during that good man´s special time. We´re being objective and straight, and defending someone who deserves defending. I defend because I have been in the same boat..I am in the same boat now. I defend because if we defend, it takes pressure off of that person with respect to having to get in the trenches and defend himself. You want to distort reality. We didn´t create this issue, Wally Bryson created this issue. We are only responding in a way to make it right. You clearly are allowing your bias here to cause you to falsely accuse "everyone" of taking "pot shots" etc etc etc. The only thing wrong on this thread is that you choose to accuse and demean those who are speaking out against bad—the only thing wrong on this thread is that you choose, with your twisted spin, to demean those.speaking out against a bad deed being done to their friend. James 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
James Posted February 15, 2014 Share Posted February 15, 2014 P.P.S. I STILL can´t wait to hear the CD! :-) 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mary Ellen Posted February 15, 2014 Share Posted February 15, 2014 No pot shots indeed! So true amends can be made by anyone at anytime and bad feelings of the young can and will continue. Wally is a good man at heart I'm sure... Eric is a good man at heart I KNOW. (ppps - love you E and can't wait for the CD release ) 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kirk Posted February 15, 2014 Share Posted February 15, 2014 Yes indeed James and March, 25th can't come soon enough!..... ..... I think we all love and support Eric one percent and I mean in everything because no doubt he is so deserving of it AND when we are here this is "our" world we all share together so in saying that, indeed, we should celebrate! Nancy, who got the other 99% 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mary Ellen Posted February 15, 2014 Share Posted February 15, 2014 Eric and Bernie, I hope you guys are seeing all of this give and take here and Eric, how much you mean to everyone here. You too Honey-B! Now I'm going to say -- Bernie, please HELP and tell us about the freakin' contest!! xoxo M.E. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
adelia215 Posted February 15, 2014 Share Posted February 15, 2014 I wasn't trying to take a potshot at anyone and I apologize if it sounded that way. I love my Raspberries regardless of any faults they may have and let's face it, they all have faults, as do each and every one of us. Personally, I think the accomplishments made by Wally with his work to help his fellow man are what he should be most proud of. That is my opinion and I don't care if anyone agrees or not, my opinion belongs to me. Having said that, my Raspberries would not be what they are without his contribution and Dave's, Jim's, Scott's, Mike's and Eric's. I really don't care who actually wrote what song. I really don't care if they did not write a song at all. None of those songs would be what it is without four of those men being a GROUP and all should be acknowledged as such. Eric however, used his God given talent to write that particular song. Maybe the fault should be placed on those that made the decision to not release any of the other's songs as singles, which is where I think the blame for this whole mess should be placed. But I stand by what I said in my previous post, it is time to flush the shit. and by the way, I too would like to know some details, Bernie 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mary Ellen Posted February 15, 2014 Share Posted February 15, 2014 Beth, Marv wasn't directing his comments at you re "pot-shots" and you shouldn't be put in a position of defending yourself in any way because we all know you mean well by what you are saying here. There are long-standing issues which may never be resolved and no one deserves blame, really, and are expressing hurt basically. Everyone needs to chill on this subject now and try to move forward, PLEAZZZZ. I love you guys. Mary Ellen 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wendy-Ann Posted February 15, 2014 Share Posted February 15, 2014 I look at it this way...if one can’t vent where one feels comfortable, when they have been wronged for the umpteenth time, then that would suck--(for lack of a better word). And if those who care about a person can’t jump in and support them when they have been wronged, then that would suck too. Once a person puts something out there for the public to read, others will have opinions on it and will voice them whether they state it with fact, logic and/or heartfelt emotion that comes about when another has been wronged. I personally don’t think anyone has stopped celebrating. I think some of the posters just wanted to give some support in the way they felt fit. Having said all of that...if this were me, I would probably vent to those I know would listen to me, would back me, and/or help me see clarification in what is held in my heart...and listen, even if I don’t always like what I am being told. But I personally would not waste my time composing a response to those who are holding on tightly to my proverbial creative coattails. As I have already stated...bask in the sunshine…and ignore the (one) rain cloud. 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mary Ellen Posted February 15, 2014 Share Posted February 15, 2014 Eric can certainly vent here - we want that and we want to support him and send him our best (and our love.) We shouldn't turn on each other though...M.E. p.s. I know I haven't stopped celebrating!! p.p.s Eric dearest, I know you are out there...you are my overlord here ...so please speak. xoxo M.E. Wait!! Was all this the contest? 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eric Carmen Posted February 15, 2014 Share Posted February 15, 2014 First off, let me just say "Thank you" to everyone for your love and support. It means a lot to me. Second, I've got to tell you that what Wally said during his interview with Shindig is not something he hadn't said before, a thousand times, and, honestly, it's more annoying, than disturbing, at this point. I don't think he intentionally tried to "rain on my parade," because I doubt when he did the interview, he even knew about the upcoming release. Having said that, let me ask everyone to ponder this: Why would Wally have stayed in the band and continued to work with me if I indeed HAD stolen the credit from him? If it had happened to me, I would have quit, right on the spot. And why didn't Wally ever claim that he "wrote" any other intros to any of my other songs? Answer: Because he didn't, and he didn't have the benefit of a "typo" to help "sell" the story. If Wally really had the talent to "write" the intro of "Go All The Way," why not use that same talent to write great intros on his own songs? Let me tell you one, funny story. Sometime, after Raspberries first album, before we began writing for the second album, we had a band meeting and I asked everyone this question: "What song, from our first album, would you pick as the sort of "jumping off place" that represents the direction the band should consider when we each sit down to write for the next album?" Jim said "Go All The Way." Dave said "Go All The Way." I said "Go All The Way." Wally said "Rock 'n Roll Mama." I think even Dave was a bit taken aback by Wally's choice. I asked Wally why he had chosen "Rock 'n Roll Mama." and he replied, "Because I get to play more solos in it." And that was always the problem. It was about "self-glorification" over what was best for the band. I knew, from the first time I saw The Choir, that Wally was the perfect "balance" for me, and that together, we could do some serious damage. Bands all start out as 'democracies,' but, in truth of fact, they never stay that way, because there is rarely an equal distribution of talent, charisma and drive. Eventually, one or two guys "emerge"from the pack. Steven Tyler and Joe Perry. Robert Plant and Jimmy Page. John Lennon and Paul McCartney. Don Henley and Glenn Frey. When that happens, the other members of the band have two choices. In the bands that go on to succeed, the other band members choose to support the guy(s) who have "emerged." The other choice is to challenge them, both for the spotlight, and for the direction, and the infighting begins. The bands that fall into the second category eventually implode, as did Raspberries. The key to making bands work is for everyone to recognize their role within the group. You can't have two "Mick Jaggers." Keith was smart enough to understand that being "Keith" was enough, and that he and Mick made a great team. And that is the saddest part of the story, for me. Wally and I WERE a great team. But I ended up the lead singer, and Wally ended up the lead guitar player, and that just wasn't ever enough for him. And so it goes. That's it. I'm done now. Moving on. e 10 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mary Ellen Posted February 15, 2014 Share Posted February 15, 2014 Thank you Eric. You are and always will be awesome! xoxo M.E. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redd Posted February 16, 2014 Share Posted February 16, 2014 No pot shots indeed! So true amends can be made by anyone at anytime and bad feelings of the young can and will continue. Wally is a good man at heart I'm sure... Eric is a good man at heart I KNOW. (ppps - love you E and can't wait for the CD release ) Dear M.E Once again, spoken very eloquently. It's time to move on, what's done is done, what's been said cannot be changed. The past is history & the present is a gift Keep on doing your Happy Dance! redd 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redd Posted February 16, 2014 Share Posted February 16, 2014 Well said and.....indeed you Mr.Carmen are "The BEST" AND respectfully saying, I feel the need to kiss THAT cheek, however I'm not there, would you settle for a hug and a BIG smile instead?......xoxoxo...... Awwww Nancy, what a sweet sentiment! Let's keep the love flowing.... redd 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mary Ellen Posted February 16, 2014 Share Posted February 16, 2014 Dear M.E Once again, spoken very eloquently. It's time to move on, what's done is done, what's been said cannot be changed. The past is history & the present is a gift Keep on doing your Happy Dance! redd Redd, I made 2 opposing views/statements, but they are both possible. Hope for amends, but accept what is. Yeah, I'm happy dancin' girlfriend!! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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