The Raspberries consists of Dave Smalley (rhythm guitarist), Scott Mccarl (bassist, vocalist), Wally Bryson (lead guitarist, vocalist).
The Raspberries were a rock and roll band from Cleveland, Ohio in the 1970s. Heavily influenced by the British Invasion era - especially The Beatles, The Who, The Hollies, and The Small Faces - and its Mod sensibility, they helped pioneer the power pop style. Their most well known songs were "Go All The Way" from their first album, "Raspberries", " I Wanna Be With You", from their second album, "Fresh", and "Overnight Sensation (Hit Record)" from their fourth album "Starting Over".
The group had its roots in two popular 1960s Ohio bands, The Choir and Cyrus Erie. The Choir had a more extensive repertoire of original songs, notably "It's Cold Outside," which parlayed its massive local success into a nationally-charting single (peaking at #68). But though the Choir had the hit, Cyrus Erie was the better-drawing local act, relying instead on cover versions. Frequent personnel changes occurred, with musicians sometimes jumping from one band to the other, then back again. Both acts had disbanded by 1970, and members from each combined to form the Raspberries. The original lineup was Eric Carmen (lead vocals), Jim Bonfanti (drums), Wally Bryson (guitar) and Dave Smalley (bass). The Raspberries' demo tape found its way to the desk of producer Jimmy Ienner, and in the wake of a major-label bidding war, the band signed to Capitol.
After the release of 'Side 3', creative differences lead Smalley and Bonfanti to leave the Raspberries to form their own band, Dynamite. They were replaced by bassist Scott McCarl and ex-Cyrus Erie drummer Michael McBride for what was to be the band's final album, 'Starting Over'.
The Raspberries broke up in 1974, but their sound had been distinctive and their influence was lasting. Since they were one of the very few bands of the original power pop generation who had multiple hits, the power pop movement of the late 1970s would likely not have developed as it did without them. Their influence can be heard in bands like Cheap Trick, The Rubinoos, R.E.M., The Romantics, Teenage Fanclub, Enuff Z'Nuff, and Redd Kross. Bruce Springsteen praised the Raspberries at several stops during his Summer 2005 tour.
