Solo artist Eric Carmen, best known for the hit song “All By Myself,” died over the weekend at the age of 74.
In a statement shared on Carmen’s website on Monday, his wife Amy wrote, “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.”
His wife then called on people to respect the family’s “request for privacy” as they mourn “our enormous loss.”
The statement concluded with a line from his 1977 song “Love Is All That Matters,” “Love Is All That Matters…Faithful and Forever,” the Daily Mail reported.
A cause of death was not provided at the time of this publication.
Eric Carmen’s official website is posting that he died over the weekend. A power-pop titan with the Raspberries, ’70s pop immortal thanks to “All By Myself” and ’80s hitmaker with the ‘Dirty Dancing’ classic “Hungry Eyes.” https://t.co/V2Vnl3vuTD pic.twitter.com/Kbd6CtgADx
— Annie Zaleski (@anniezaleski) March 12, 2024
Carmen’s singing career started in the 1970s when he was a member of the Raspberries band and found success with his song “Go All The Way.”
A description of Carmen’s career on his website read, “We became immensely popular by going completely against the grain in 1970. Prog-rock was ‘in,’ and FM radio clutched it to its bosom. I hated it. I loved the Beatles, The Who, the Byrds, the Stones, the Beach Boys and the Small Faces. I loved bands that could WRITE!”
“Critics liked us, girls liked us, but their 18-year-old, album-buying brothers said ‘no.’ We got frustrated and imploded,” he added, noting that they were the first “alternative” band.
Carmen then embarked on a solo career and found music success not only with the song “All By Myself” but also with his very popular 80s song “Hungry Eyes.” It was featured on the soundtrack of the popular 1987 romantic drama “Dirty Dancing,” which starred Patrick Swayze and Jennifer Grey.
As his career continued, he wrote songs for numerous stars, from “Frank Sinatra to Mötley Crüe, Diana Ross, Mel Torme, Hank Williams Jr., Sheryl Crow, Olivia Newton-John, Axl Rose, Tom Jones, Eartha Kitt, Stanley Turrentine, Henry Mancini, Patti LaBelle, Teddy Pendergrass and many, many more,” his bio noted.
Following news of his death, musicians and singers took to social media to celebrate his life.
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“Damn. Another friend gone,” musician Stevie Van Zandt wrote on X. “RIP Eric Carmen. The Raspberries set a production standard we’re still trying to reach. Deepest love and condolences to Amy and the family.”
Guns N’ Roses guitarist Slash added a photo on Instagram and wrote, “RIP Eric Carmen.”
KISS frontman Paul Stanley wrote, “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.”