But in a good way! (lol)
What a nice birthday surprise to be able to feature one of the great early '70's pop power bands.
The Raspberries came along at the perfect time for me ... the pop charts needed a little shaking up ... and between these guys and Badfinger, they gave us a healthy dose of what The Beatles might have sounded like had they first started charting in 1972 instead of 1962. Their music was super-charged with a strong dosage of '60's pop style ... and yet The Raspberries hailed from Cleveland of all places! (lol)
[I actually had the chance to see a double bill of The Raspberries and Badfinger, performing together at The Rockford Armory in 1972 ... man, what a show.]
Take it away, Phil! (kk)
Today we salute my favorite new band of 1972.
The Raspberries first charted in the Top 100 with Don't Want To Say Goodbye in the Spring of 1972. That song was quickly forgotten but the second single from their debut album first blasted out of the radio in the Summer. It was different than anything on the radio at the time for the Ohio band.
Lead guitarist Wally Bryson was a member of the Choir (who had a hit with It's Cold Outside, a great Forgotten Hit!!) prior to his Raspberries days. He joined me on the air in 2004.
The second hit for the Raspberries was released late in 1972 and it was another radio friendly hit.
It should have been bigger nationally as it only made it to #18 in Billboard. The group made several tv appearances during this time.
Four albums were released by the band before they broke up and Eric
Carmen went on to become a household name as a solo artist.
Songs such as Let's Pretend, Tonight, and Overnight Sensation (Hit Record) helped the group start what became known as 'Power Pop'.
Wally Bryson went on to join another Forgotten Hit band, Fotomaker, with former Rascals Dino Danelli and Gene Cornish.
During the 2004 interview on WRCO, Wally talked about the Raspberries album legacy.
Be sure to listen to Phil Nee's THOSE WERE THE
DAYS radio program tonight … and EVERY Satuarday Night on WRCO ... 6 pm –
Midnight (Central):
WRCO AM FM
Radio Richland Center Wisconsin
Just click on the 100.9 headphones and start
streaming!
