RASPBERRIES:
A Groovy Newy
 
The sweet smell of Raspberries may conquer the world. Anyway, that's what Eric Carmen, Jim Bonfanti, Wally Bryson and Dave Smalley are hoping. These 4 young, clean-cut lads make up the new group known as Raspberries. Eric plays bass and piano, as well as being their lead singer and spokesman for the group. Jim is the band's drummer. Wally is lead guitarist and Dave is the rhythm guitarist. The band is new in the sense that they're just getting started. They write all their own songs yet there is something "old" about Raspberries. Says Eric, "The kind of music that we play is good time Rock 'n Roll. Our songs have nice melodies. There's nothing too screaming and wild about our music. What we want to do is bring back the good old days of Rock 'n Roll."
 
The "good old days of Rock 'n Roll" were epitomized by the Beatles. The Beatles were the mind blowers in the field of pop music in the sixties; they're the ones who changed it all. For the sheer number of records and hit songs written, the Beatles have a groove of their own. We oldies can never forget the uproar that the four B's caused throughout the entire world. They out Cassidied David Cassidy; they out Osmonded the Osmonds. Remember they started it all!
 
And this is the type of music Raspberries plays. Listening to their hit single, "Go All the Way," we can't help but be reminded of the early Beatles. Of course, this is not to say that Raspberries is an imitation of the Beatles. That wouldn't be fair and it wouldn't be true. These four musicians from Cleveland, Ohio were brought up on this type of music. They love it. It's close to them; it's part of their lives. They feel that they can express themselves best through that mode of music and that they certainly do! Their music laughs, bounces and smiles at you. Says Eric, "This music has been gone for so long that it's almost like a brand new sound in some places."
 
Their first album has been out for a while and has been doing quite nicely. It's called "Raspberries" and is on the Capitol label. You not only see and hear Raspberries, but you smell them as well. The album cover gives off the odor and aroma of dozens of raspberries! Maybe their next album will be edible! And speaking of next albums, Raspberries' new album will be out some time in November. It's called "Fresh Raspberries" and it's chock full of new goodies. The band likes their second album better than their first and we're sure that their third album will be better than their second. They're that type of group; they'll grow with each album-just like the Beatles did.
 
Raspberries would like to hear from you. Let them know what you think of their music and of them. Here's where you can write these gorgeous guys: Raspberries Fan Club, P.O. Box 22192, Cleveland, Ohio 44122.
 
And in the meantime, try some Raspberries—you might like their taste. We're sure that like their single hit, Raspberries will go all the way.

Teen Life / March 1973