R.I.P. Eric Carmen, who wrote and sang one of the greatest power-pop tunes of all time

By Steve Newton

Sad news making the rounds tonight, that American singer-songwriter Eric Carmen has passed away at the age of 74.

Carmen’s wife Amy announced his death on his website today, giving neither a cause nor a specific date of death.

“It is with tremendous sadness that we share the heartbreaking news of the passing of Eric Carmen. Our sweet, loving and talented Eric passed away in his sleep, over the weekend. It brought him great joy to know, that for decades, his music touched so many and will be his lasting legacy…”

As a solo artist, Carmen had hits in the mid-’70s with the ballads “All By Myself” and “Never Gonna Fall in Love Again”, while in the ’80s he hit the charts with “Hungry Eyes”, which was included on the 1987 Dirty Dancing soundtrack. He was also known for cowriting “Almost Paradise”, the love theme from the 1984 film Footloose, which was performed as a duet by Heart’s Ann Wilson and Loverboy’s Mike Reno.

But I remember Carmen best for “Go All the Way”, the 1972 song he wrote and sang while a member of the Cleveland power-pop band the Raspberries. I first heard it on one of those 20 Original Hits! 20 Original Stars! compilations from K-Tel Records, and I thought it was one of the catchiest tunes ever created.

It combined slashing guitar riffs reminiscent of the Who with breezy Beach Boys vocal harmonies and a Beatlesque vibe to create a timeless 3 1/2-minute ode to young love/lust that is pretty well perfect.

Thank you Eric Carmen, and may you rest in peace.