Early ‘70s power pop icon Eric Carmen passed away over the weekend in his sleep at the age of 74. His wife Amy broke the news in a statement on his website on Monday.
“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,” Amy wrote.
“It brought him great joy to know, that for decades, his music touched so many and will be his lasting legacy. Please respect the family’s privacy as we mourn our enormous loss,” she added.
She concluded the statement writing, “Love Is All That Matters…Faithful and Forever,” a line from his 1997 hit song “Love Is All That Matters,” a song from his solo album “Boats Against the Current.”
An exact cause of death has not been revealed at the time of this writing.
Born on Aug. 11, 1949 and raised in Cleveland, Ohio, Carmen fell in love with music at a young age. Having been enrolled at the Cleveland Institute of Music at 2 and half years old, he continued on that path and would later officially begin his singing career in the 1970s as the frontman of the Raspberries band. Finding success with the song, “Go All The Way,” the band would later break up in the mid-’70s. After that, Carmen established himself as a solo artist, a successful feat that gave him hits like “All by Myself,” “Hey Deanie” and “Never Gonna Fall in Love Again.”
His ‘80s song “Hungry Eyes” also had commercial success, as it was featured on the soundtrack of the popular 1987 romantic drama “Dirty Dancing” starring Patrick Swayze and Jennifer Grey.
According to his bio, Carmen wrote songs for numerous stars throughout his career, including Diana Ross, Tom Jones, Henry Mancini, Teddy Pendergrass, Mötley Crüe, Frank Sinatra, Olivia Newton-John, Eartha Kitt and Axl Rose.
The news of his death has been followed with reaction from fellow singers and musicians on social media.
KISS frontman Paul Stanley took to X, writing, “Awful News. Eric Carmen has died. Although known to many for writing radio hits like ‘All By Myself’ and others, Eric was a true rocker at heart. His voice had elements of McCartney and Steve Marriott. The Raspberries did shows with us. A killer band live & I loved their records.”
Awful News. Eric Carmen has died. Although known to many for writing radio hits like “All By Myself” and others, Eric was a true rocker at heart. His voice had elements of McCartney and Steve Marriott. The Raspberries did shows with us. A killer band live & I loved their records. pic.twitter.com/JtOvsxjsU3
— Paul Stanley (@PaulStanleyLive) March 12, 2024
E Street Band member Stevie Van Zandt also wrote, “Damn. Another friend gone. RIP Eric Carmen. The Raspberries set a production standard we’re still trying to reach. Deepest love and condolences to Amy and the family.”
Damn. Another friend gone. RIP Eric Carmen. The Raspberries set a production standard we’re still trying to reach. Deepest love and condolences to Amy and the family.
— 🕉🇺🇦🟦Stevie Van Zandt☮️💙 (@StevieVanZandt) March 12, 2024
