LOCAL SCENE
Raspberries Get Loyal Cheers
 
The Raspberries' first album actually smelled like raspberries. with a special scent under the label.
 
You could even find it in the dark.
 
But this Cleveland quartet doesn't need any gimmicks today.
 
They've got a million seller—"Go All the Way" behind them and a Carnegie Hall concert ahead of them.
 
"And we can't wait to play here next Friday," said lead guitarist and vocalist Wally Bryson.
 
The Capitol recording group swing into Music Hall at 7:30 p.m. Sept. 14, following Rainbow and Johnny Nash.
 
It's been 18 months since they were here. And almost 10 years since they started.
 
Remember the Mods back at Mentor High, in 1964, later the Choir? And remember the Choir's No. 1 hit for five weeks, "It's Cold Outside?"
 
"Hey, and Walt Tiburski did our publicity." recalled drummer Jim Bonfanti. David Smalley was rhythm guitarist then and Bryson lead guitar.
 
Today songwriter Eric Carmen, who has written for stars such as Oliver, replaces Jim (Snake) Skeen as pianist and bassist.
 
Today they can afford a few things. Like nice cars. Custom-made suits by the designer who does star like Chicago and Doc Severinsen. Two $3,000 Mellotrons and all the amps and tapes to go with them. Two sidemen. Opie O'Brien and Tony Shannon. And a professional sound system like Roberta Flack has, the Weissberg Sound.
 
Their next Capitol LP, Side 3 will be out Monday. It will have more guitar and more of a rock and roll sound. said Carmen.

Cleveland Press / September 9, 1975