Steven Van Zandt, Paul Stanley, Slash pay tribute to Cleveland native and rock legend Eric Carmen

CLEVELAND, Ohio — Cleveland rocker Eric Carmen died over the weekend at age 74, his wife Amy Carmen confirmed.

“It brought him great joy to know, that for decades, his music touched so many and will be his lasting legacy,” she wrote on his website.

Carmen first burst onto the national scene as the frontman of the Raspberries, whose single “Go All the Way” reached No. 5 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1972. Following the band’s breakup three years later, Carmen became a successful solo artist on the adult contemporary charts with hits like “All By Myself,” “Never Lose Control” and, memorably, “Hungry Eyes,” off the hugely popular “Dirty Dancing” soundtrack in 1987. He also wrote songs for other artists, including “Almost Paradise,” recorded by Mike Reno and Ann Wilson for the movie “Footloose.”

News of his passing spread on social media, where some of his famous fans posted tributes to Carmen, born in Cleveland in 1949 and who grew up in Lyndhurst.

“Damn. Another friend gone. RIP Eric Carmen,” shared Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Stevie Van Zandt. “The Raspberries set a production standard we’re still trying to reach. Deepest love and condolences to Amy and the family.”

Indeed, Van Zandt’s E Street Band frontman Bruce Springsteen was a big fan of Carmen, who in a 2017 interview recalled meeting The Boss for the first time many years ago.

“Bruce looked at me and he goes, ‘You know, while I was writing ‘The River’ all I listened to was Woody Guthrie and the Raspberries’ greatest hits,” Carmen told the Observer. “I must have worn out three copies of that record.”

Carmen and the Raspberries were an early influence to many big-name rock stars, including Jon Bon Jovi and Paul Stanley of KISS.

“Awful News. Eric Carmen has died,” Stanley wrote on X. “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 (Paul) McCartney and Steve Marriott. The Raspberries did shows with us. A killer band live & I loved their records.”

“The loss of Eric Carmen really hurts,” added author Stephen King. “The Raspberries were the best power pop group ever. ‘Ecstasy’ was my favorite,”

“Eric Carmen was one of the reasons #CLE is known for Rock and Roll,” Cuyahoga County Executive Chris Ronayne chimed in. “He’ll be missed but not forgotten & his music lives on. Rock in Peace.”

“Saddened to hear of Eric Carmen’s passing at the young age of 74. He gave us one of the best rock songs ever,” Fox News anchor John Roberts posted, along with a video of him and his young son jamming to “Go All The Way.”

“RIP #EricCarmen,” Guns N’ Roses guitarist Slash wrote simply on Instagram.