From Kay Bryson's Facebook Page

[James]

Boobs were better in 1974.  I liked 1974.

James

[MikeWNY]

Also, as someone who wasn't really aware of the Raspberries or EC when the reunion concerts were taking place, I think I would have been disappointed there wasn't more EC solo material in them. Perhaps that will be rectified someday.

[MikeC]

The Raspberries were mentioned twice, by fans, on the same radio show during the big 50 year anniversary.

I was at Agua Caliente Casino, around 1:40 am, when they played GATW, loudly, because the crowd got louder and louder. Wally shouild start a music project, for an animation film, or something. I've always supported Wally. I think, if it was me, whatever Wally said, I'd turn to the next musician to get the song started. Whatever it would be. Professional on stage need to be together.

What I would do, if I were Wally, is to take that famous intro, and put it to a new song. Then, slow or speed up the playing. Play and write what you want.

Here's a, perhaps, therapeutic title: This Time, It's Mine. Not intended as a joke.

[Bessieboo]

On 4/8/2014 at 9:45 PM, James said:

Boobs were better in 1974.  I liked 1974.

 Not mine !  

[Kirk]

On 4/8/2014 at 2:57 PM, Raspbernie said:

Not sure this was ever posted here. (Kirk, you're slipping!) A nice shout-out to a hometown hero. Along with a snippet of a tasty slow ballad-version of GATW.

It looked familiar...I don't know- maybe I was writing a review of a new release when this came out

[elle4ec]

On 4/8/2014 at 9:54 PM, Bessieboo said:

 Not mine !  

Mine either, Beth...I was only 11!

Now, 1984 might have been a different story...    

[MikeC]

Unless games means that Wally couldn't play all of his choices of songs, from other bands. And his own songs. I meant the 50 year anniversary of The Beatles. Called in by fans, who talked about The Raspberries, on the same show.

Here's more positives-

I just realized that Ace Frehley, of the early KISS band is also working on his own animation film. ( His own project) Who knows, maybe Wally can work with him. Imagine the two great guitarists working together. I think Ace was consulted  on The Guitar Hero game. They've both had ups and downs  in life, like everyone else. Ace said he has ADHD. He would probably be great to work with, for Wally. Maybe Jesse can work with him, on a new project. (Read the latest Rolling Stone Story, on KISS, and scroll down, for his story).

I would take those riffs from all those songs that he thought he deserved credit for,  and write new songs. Put them throughout your new songs.

There you go. It's up to you.

[MikeC]

I looked up an artilcle about The Raspberries, awhile back. It's titled, "Fresh Raspberries" by Cleveland Magazine.com Issue date, April, 2007 That's when I fouind out about Wally's concert, last week. When I was reading about Wally I listen to all the bandmembers equally, because it's their own perspective. I accept all the bandmembers as well, regardless of what they thought.

I wanted to hear from Dave-  About his perspective of the band. Well, every bandmember was quoted. -And, even Kay. I found it interesting that Kay would let Wally do that interview, from what she said in the Fresh Raspberries article. Online, Wally doesn't like to write, so Kay conveys his messages and thoughts.

That's a unique situation.

[paperdoll82]

I find it all incredibly sad.

We'll never have a Beatles reunion due to the deaths of John Lennon and George Harrison. Yet, we have ALL FOUR Raspberries, but because one member can't get over decades-long grudge(s), we can't have another Raspberries reunion.

With one exception here, none of us were there. And other than that one exception, we can't accurately say what transpired. But from reading that Facebook post, someone BADLY needs to let go of the past — life is too short to spend it dwelling on the negative. It's not healthy.

And just so it's crystal clear, it's not the exception here who needs to let go and make peace with it.

That post was straight-up poisonous — and totally, absolutely NOT "taking the high road," as one commenter there stated. (Yeah, I went and looked. I get paid to be nosy. LOL)

Cheryl

[paperdoll82]

Horse's head and raspberry sauce? 

Cheryl

[Mary Ellen]

Everything can be solved via The Godfather in some way!!

[Paulie Mississippi]

On 4/9/2014 at 11:16 AM, Mike C said:

And, even Kay. I found it interesting that Kay would let Wally do that interview, from what she said in the Fresh Raspberries article. Online, Wally doesn't like to write, so Kay conveys his messages and thoughts. That's a unique situation.

Y'know, I'm sitting here reading this thread and THIS line jumps out at me... Because for whatever reason, Wally does not come on line and let's his wife do his talking... I know in times past, when or if I have perceived a loved one being slighted or insulted, I am way the hell more over-the-top in my anger than if I feel the same insult directed directly at me... Because she was not actually there, she is writing from a third-person rather than a first-person perspective, and a distortion in Wally's perspective in how things went down can only be magnified and further distorted when a person who is "taking sides" jump into or starts a fracas...

I have, as a fan, always wished Raspberries had stuck together longer... but I'm glad for the years and albums we have from Eric as a solo artist as well. Could we have had those had Wally and Eric saw eye-to-eye forever? Maybe... but less likely. I've tried, as a fan of both Eric AND the band, to not take sides. I was happy to see both the new CD from Eric AND a cover story about Raspberries... I wish perhaps Wally might have been portrayed as more positive; and as a former journalism major I know that writers often can slant a story the way they wish. I'd really like to listen to the unedited transcripts of the interview. LOL Of course, who knows, maybe the scribe made Wally MORE positive than he was...

OK, I guess I'm more or less rambling now... but after I missed the Raspberries reunions while caring for my Dad, I made a bucket-list item out of seeing the band live.. I guess the good new is that it looks like I'll have to live forever...

[Mary Ellen]

Your points are well taken.

I do believe Kay was around with Wally from reasonably early on, but it seems like he could write himself about the situation from his own personal perspective...

BUT, maybe the article did make Wally sound even MORE positive than he was!

 M.E.

[MAM]

I'm going to stay out of this nightmare and just make a short statement. Eric has been a major inspiration in my life and I GREATLY admire and respect his talent. The radio interview yesterday was very enjoyable. The new song describes my life last year to a "T". At the same time, Wally has been a major inspiration in my life and I GREATLY admire and respect his talent also. I had the wonderful experience of going to hear Wally's show a few weeks back and it sounded great. The Bryson's were nothing but nice to my wife and I and our friends, and even made it a point to get us reserved seating which we appreciated very much. No "kool-aid" involved or nasty remarks regarding Eric were made while we were in their presence. I'm there for the music, not the drama. Which in my opinion, is what we should all be influenced by, the wonderful music ... be it Raspberries, Eric, Wally, Dave or Jim. Picking sides and choosing weapons is stupid. I support all four/six of them. Our next stop ... going to hear Jim's new band. Hopefully Eric eventually. Definitely Wally again, and hoping to be able to hear Dave and Scott someday. Ok, I guess that wasn't that short of a statement, huh? At any rate ... it's the music folks. That's what hooked us all to begin with.

Alright, I'm taking my ball and going home now.

[James]

A lot here have the same opinion as Mike.  I don't get it though.  Why do you guys think we need to turn our brains off and shut our eyes just because music is involved? 

Why do you guys think we should allow a friend to be smeared , ignore the smear and not stand up for our friend.... just because music is involved?  Because music is involved nothing else matters?  Because music is involved we forget we are human beings?

Geeez..

James

[James]

P.S. 

When an artist you like is a class act, the music is that much more enjoyable to listen to.  There's more to music than just music, you're taking in the artist and what he/she stands for also.  This is important.  It might not be necessary to some, but what lies underneath the music is a very important element to that music, IMHO.

I love Pat Griffin's music.  But I love it even more than I would because I know (from reading his posts here) that he is a genuine dude with a genuine heart of gold.

I've come to respect Eric Carmen even more from a fan's standpoint after reading his stuff here and getting to know him as a person from his posts here.  Seeing here his intelligence and respect for his fans make me an even greater fan than before.

Same goes with sports.  As a kid I loved Gale Sayers...he was my hero.  When (still as a little kid) I read his book "I am Third"...my  love for him doubled because from the book I got to know who Gale Sayers was, what he stood for .......and I loved who he was.

The opposite was the case with Pete Rose.  I still probably love Pete Rose on a certain level, but as a kid I loved him without any asterisks.  After he bet on baseball and continued to lie about it my respect and love for him diminished a ton.

So when you are really into sports or music or whatever, who the artist is and how the artist comports himself matters, ....maybe to different degrees for different people...but it matters to at least some degree to all of us.

So  I wish people would stop saying that anything goes because the artist puts out good music.  Because it doesn't.

James
 

[Wendy-Ann]

I read this thread earlier before James posted and started to write off line per usual, only to come back and find that once again, James and I are on the same page. My post:

I believe that anyone can admire whomever one wants...it's a free country and a great one at that, but it is NOT stupid...I repeat, NOT stupid to choose a side and back a person who one thinks, because of all of the proof he has put forth, (and so far, never disputed), is telling the truth.

I personally cannot go through life ignoring the fact that another's reputation is being attacked for the simple reason that I may admire the one discrediting said person. To me, that admiration would most likely die a quick death.

From what I have read, no one is telling anyone to choose sides, nor weapons, that is up to each and every person. As for me, if an injustice is being done towards someone who has proven time after time, (with logical facts), that he is being smeared, I will take a side...his side...even if another thinks it's "stupid." This is something I will never apologize for. 
 

[paperdoll82]

James, I think I love you. You said exactly what I was thinking, without all the bitchiness that was churning in my thoughts. Thank you.

P.S. I think I found the Kool-Aid. And it is divine.

Cheryl

[paperdoll82]

My "Kool-Aid" comment was an attempt to infuse a bit of levity in a tense thread. (For what it's worth, I didn't coin it.)

And "The Godfather" stuff was definitely in humor.

You kind of hit it on the head, Cayenne. The name of the forum IS "EricCarmen.com." 

Cheryl

[Tim From Wisconsin]

"MAM" is a long time message board member, a good person, and a supporter of Eric and his music. He is entitled to his opinion on things as much as anyone else is - Even if we don't agree. It's great to see some of the "oldtimers" chiming in these days.

 

Tim

[Mary Ellen]

MAM is great...unfortunately, the original thread topic not so much... ...the situation is most unfortunate.

[paperdoll82]

My apologies if I came off bitchy. 

Cheryl

[Tim From Wisconsin]

On 4/14/2014 at 4:58 PM, paperdoll82 said:

My apologies if I came off bitchy. 

 

No apologies necessary... I was just saying that when fellow board members like Paulie, MAM, James, and others chime in on something, I take my time reading their posts since I know they put some thought into them. I may or may not agree with them, but I respect their opinions. 

 

Tim

[redd]

Hello Mike (MAM)

Just wanted to say I really liked your recent post. I'm here for the music too! What happened decades ago should stay in the past, but grudges and hard feelings always surface again it seems.

I adore all 4/6 (haha) members of the 'Berries and yes Eric is #1 in my book. Sounds like deep, deep resentment that will never be forgotten. BUT that doesn't make me despise Wally or his music....

I usually prefer not to debate these situations, but we all have a right to voice our opinion. Also to be respectful of others, although they have a completely different viewpoint.

If you're gonna take your ball & 'go home' guess I will gather up my jax & do the same

redd

[Wendy-Ann]

I don't always respect someone's opinion. I can guaran-damn-tee you that I would never in 100 lifetimes respect Hitler's opinions on Jews. Or the Westboro Baptist Church followers' opinions on gays. Not. A. Chance!

This board is a great venue for free speech, and as an American I do respect a person's right to "voice" an opinion, and since it doesn't appear that anyone stopped Mike from voicing his opinion nor thought he wasn't a good person because of it, that's a good thing!

However, if someone is going to state that siding with another whose reputation is repeatedly being called into question is stupid, I think it's only fair to come on and explain why it is not stupid. I suppose I don't get NOT siding with someone when untruths are being publicly stated about them.

Again, I will take sides when there appears that someone is being wronged. Nothing "I stupid" about it. I'm not Switzerland.

May I add what Martin Niemöller once stated, as I would hope if I am being wrong someone would speak out for me aka: take my side.

"When the Nazis came for the communists, I remained silent; I was not a communist.
When they locked up the social democrats, I remained silent; I was not a social democrat.
When they came for the trade unionists, I did not speak out; I was not a trade unionist.
When they came for the Jews, I remained silent; I wasn't a Jew.
When they came for me, there was no one left to speak out."

PS: I personally was never on this board for Eric's/Raspberries' music. I was always here for the people. Good people.