Singer-songwriter Eric Carmen has died aged 74, his wife has announced.
The artist was best known for his top hits including Dirty Dancing’s Hungry Eyes and Bridget Jones hit All By Myself. The American star first found fame with the power pop group the Raspberries before making a name for himself as a solo artist.
His song Hungry Eyes was most recognisable in a scene between Jennifer Grey and Patrick Swayze in 1987’s Dirty Dancing. His track All By Myself is often linked with the opening scene of Bridget Jones’ Diary in a heartfelt clip.
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As a songwriter, Carmen penned Almost Paradise from the Footloose soundtrack, as well as Never Gonna Fall In Love Again and Make Me Lose Control. His wife Amy shared the sad news on his official website, saying: “Our sweet, loving and talented Eric passed away in his sleep, over the weekend.”
(Image: WireImage)
She added that his music brought him great joy and will be his lasting legacy.
She ended her statement with a quote from his 1977 solo album Boats Against The Current: “love is all that matters… faithful and forever”. Carmen, who was born in Ohio, co-founded the Raspberries in the early 1970s with Jim Bonfanti and Wally Bryson.
Dave Smalley joined the band after John Aleksic left. They launched their first album, Raspberries, in 1972. It had some really popular songs like Go All The Way which was later not allowed by the BBC in the UK because the words were deemed inappropriate.
(Image: WireImage)
This song was also part of the 2014 Guardians Of The Galaxy soundtrack.
After making four albums together, the band split up in 1975. Carmen then started singing on his own and did really well in the new soft rock style.
Tributes poured in for the music legend after the news of his death, with one user writing on X: “RIP Eric Carmen, you made some incredible tunes.” Another said: “Very sad news hearing Eric Carmen has passed away at the age of 74. His music and legacy lives on and will continue to transcend the test of time and be forever a favourite for those who listen…”
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Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
