'Play On: A Raspberries Tribute' coming Sept. 12; Rick Springfield, Lou Gramm, John Waite, Marshall Crenshaw & more featured!

A stellar lineup of top-tier musicians are slated to appear on a forthcoming two-disc tribute to Raspberries. The news of the upcoming release of Play On: A Raspberries Tribute comes on a particularly notable day; today (Aug. 11, 2025) would have been Raspberries lead singer/keyboardist/guitarist Eric Carmen's 79th birthday....Robert Kinsler

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – PLAY ON: A RASPBERRIES TRIBUTE

ROCK AND ROLL HALL OF FAMER LOU GRAMM (FOREIGNER), RICK SPRINGFIELD, JOHN WAITE, VICKI & DEBBI PETERSON (BANGLES), MARSHALL CRENSHAW, BIRD STREETS AND THE LEMON TWIGS ARE AMONG THE ARTISTS FEATURED ON “PLAY ON: A RASPBERRIES TRIBUTE.”

"Raspberries is the sound of love at first sight."

Slated for release on September 12^th, 2025, Play On: A Raspberries Tribute (Think Like A Key) is a new tribute album celebrating power pop icons, Raspberries with a blockbuster 37 tracks covering almost the entirety of the group's four-album catalog.

Assembling chart-topping legends (four of whom scored # 1 records), indie favorites, and rising stars, the 2-CD set features Lou Gramm (Foreigner), Rick Springfield, John Waite, Vicki and Debbi Peterson (Bangles), The Lemon Twigs, Marshall Crenshaw, Kasim Sulton and Willie Wilcox (Utopia), Cherie Currie (The Runaways), The Chefs (featuring Stan Lynch from Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers and Dan Baird of Georgia Satellites,) The Hudson Brothers, Shoes, and Karla DeVito (Meat Loaf), among those paying homage to the '70s power pop heroes.

Rick Springfield headlining a night of fun-filled melodic rock at
Pacific Amphitheatre in Costa Mesa, CA on Aug. 2, 2018. 
Photo: Robert Kinsler

"I loved the Raspberries and how they blended pop with the darker Small Faces screaming and always loved Eric's writing, not just the power pop, but the ballads too. His voice could kick ass on both!"–Rick Springfield

The project has received the blessing of the band, with Raspberries founding member Jim Bonfanti providing drums on four tracks

("I Wanna Be With You," "Tonight," "If You Change Your Mind," and "I Don't Know What I Want") and Eric Carmen who contributed the classic count-in on "Tonight."

Ken Sharp and Fernando Perdomo produced the compilation. Housed in a deluxe 6-panel digipak with a 20-page booklet featuring liner notes by renowned music journalist Howie Edelson, offering his spirited take on the band's enduring legacy, Play On: A Raspberries Tribute proves that great pop-rock is truly eternal.

   Strictly limited to 200 copies, the Play On exclusive bundle—available only through the label’s website                                       (tlak.rocks/playon)—includes:

• 2 collectible Raspberries postcards signed by band members Dave Smalley and Scott McCarl
• An exclusive 7" 45 RPM vinyl single with picture sleeve featuring “Go All The Way” by Rick Springfield b/w “Tonight” by Rock & Roll Hall of Famer Lou Gramm (Foreigner)

All profits from the 7” will benefit the Linda Blair WorldHeart Foundation animal rescue (www.lindablairworldheart.org).

Alongside Badfinger and Big Star, Raspberries are hailed as the architects of power pop. Tallying the smash hits "Go All The Way," "I Wanna Be With You," "Let's Pretend," and "Overnight Sensation (Hit Record)," the group's electrifying sound was a thrilling combination of Beatlesque and Beach Boys melodicism hot-wired to the slashing power chord dynamite of The Who and Small Faces in one incredible package. Unabashed fans of the band include John Lennon, Bruce Springsteen, Paul Stanley (KISS), Tom Petty, Rick Nielsen (Cheap Trick), and Axl Rose (Guns N' Roses). Springsteen cited the band as a pivotal inspiration when writing and recording 1980's The River. Decades later, he penned the liner notes for the Raspberries Live On Sunset Strip CD/DVD, sharing his love for the band.

The 2014 film Guardians of the Galaxy spotlighted the band's biggest hit, "Go All The Way," introducing Raspberries to a new generation of music fans. 2025 saw the publication of a new super-sized 820+ page edition of Overnight Sensation: The Story of Raspberries by New York Times best-selling author Ken Sharp. 

Pre-sale: 8/12 (tlak.rocks/playon)

Street date: 9/12

AUDIO TEASER:

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K2KUH3d_ZIc

TRACKLISTING

DISC ONE

1.  “Go All The Way” - Rick Springfield

2.   “I Wanna Be With You” - Vicki and Debbi Peterson (The Bangles)

3.   “Let’s Pretend” - The Lemon Twigs

4.   “Come Around And See Me” - Katie Ferrara

5.   “Goin’ Nowhere Tonight” - The Caulfields

6.   “Don’t Want To Say Goodbye” - Robin Taylor Zander

7.   “Might As Well” - Jesse Bryson feat. The Kennedys

8.   “It Seemed So Easy” - The Spongetones

9.   "I Saw The Light" - Adelaide Estep

10 “Ecstacy” - Eric Dover (Jellyfish/Imperial Drag) feat. Eric Singer of KISS on drums

11 “On The Beach” - Darian Sahanaja (Brian Wilson band)

12 “If You Change Your Mind” - Ken Sharp

13 “Nobody Knows” - Chris Price

14 “I Reach For The Light” - Bird Streets

15 “Drivin’ Around” – Popdudes

16 “Hard To Get Over A Heartbreak” - P-Hux

17 “Waiting” - Olivia Rubini

18 “I Can Remember” - Karla DeVito (Meatloaf)

DISC TWO

1.   “Tonight” - Lou Gramm (Foreigner)

2.   “Play On” - The Lemon Twigs

3.   “I Don’t Know What I Want” - John Waite

4.   “Overnight Sensation (Hit Record)” – Shoes

5.   “All Through The Night” - The Hudson Brothers

6.   “Should I Wait” - Marshall Crenshaw

7.   “Cry” - Kasim Sulton (Utopia)

8.   “Making It Easy” – Brasko

9.   “Last Dance” - Evan Stanley

10 “I Can Hardly Believe You’re Mine” - John Powhida

11 “Rose Colored Glasses” - Rob Bonfiglio (Brian Wilson band)

12  “I’m A Rocker” - Ken Sharp (feat. Wally Stocker of The Babys)

13  “Party’s Over” - The Chefs (feat. Stan Lynch from Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers and Dan Baird of Georgia Satellites)

14  “Cruisin’ Music” - Ronnie D’Addario

15  “Starting Over” - Tori Holub

16  “Hands On You” - Cherie Currie (The Runaways)

17  “Every Way I Can” - The Toms

18  “With You In My Life” - Willie Wilcox (Utopia)

19  “Please Let Me Come Back Home" - Bambi Kino (feat. members of Nada Surf and Guided by Voices)

Shoes to release exclusive Record Store Day album 'Primal Vinyl' on Saturday, April 18

Another great reason to celebrate Record Store Day!

Pioneering Power-Pop band Shoes to release Record Store Day exclusive vinyl-only album 'Primal Vinyl' April 18, 2015 via Alive Naturalsound Records

Exclusive RSD release to feature classic Shoes songs along with previously-unreleased live and demo tracks

CLICK HERE TO LISTEN TO THE PREMIERE OF SHOES' PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED DEMO "GIRLS OF TODAY" VIA DIFFUSER.FM!

Heralding from the small Midwestern town of Zion, IL along Lake Michigan’s western shore, Shoes was formed by three like-minded high school friends in the mid 1970s. Inspired by the British Invasion and the joys of the 3-minute pop song, their early home recordings, self-released LPs and DIY approach established them as pioneers of the home studio movement. Primal Vinyl is a collection of classic Shoes songs that includes a previously unreleased live track and material released on vinyl for the first time.

Shoes' Primal Vinyl will be released as a limited edition Record Store Day exclusive vinyl-only album on April 18th via Alive Naturalsound Records.

PRIMAL VINYL TRACK LISTING:

Side A

Tomorrow Night

Don’t Do This To Me

Too Late

Girls of Today (demo version)

Okay

I Don’t Wanna Hear It (live)

Side B

Boys Don’t Lie

She Satisfies

Summer Rain

Burned Out Love (demo version)

Love Is Like A Bullet

Hate to Run (demo version)

FOR MORE INFO ON SHOES:

http://shoeswire.com

FOR MORE INFO ON ALIVE NATURALSOUND RECORDS:

http://www.alive-records.com

The Valley Downs to open for legendary Shoes on Saturday, July 19th

This just landed in my inbox a few minutes ago. Sadly, I am in SoCal this weekend and not in Evanston, Il or I would definitely be @ Space for sure! 

Hi Kids!

Just a reminder, we are playing with Shoes in an WXRT show this Saturday 7/19/14 at Space in Evanston.  It's early, all ages and sure to be a great time.

This is almost a year-to-the-date of our 2013 Shoes show at space. If you missed that one, now's your chance. If you were there last year, you know that Space is simply one of the best music rooms in the country and what a special night that truly was.

The tables are all sold out, but there are still some general admission seats available You can learn all about the bands, the venue and how to buy advance tickets (delivered directly to your email or held for will-call) at http://evanstonspace.com/shows/?event_id=4188014 

We are thrilled to have the chance to once again play with our all-time favorites, Shoes. If you check out shoeswire.com you can listen/hear/read all the latest about one of rock's most important bands and see why publications like Billboard, Rolling Stone, LA Times, Goldmine (and countless others) herald Shoes as critic's darlings.  Or you can read about their run-ins with rock history in their recently released biography http://www.amazon.com/Boys-Dont-Lie-History-Shoes/dp/0615403948 (strongly recommend reading about their meeting with Gene Simmons of KISS!). Their latest release, Ignition, made several Top 10 lists and supporting performances included stops in NYC, Ravinia, a pre-release tour of Japan and a series of shows at SXSW.

The Valley Downs will also be debuting our latest new song The Prettiest Girl In Salem and will have a limited number of CD singles of our song Prison (Ain't No Fun For A Girl) at the show. We are wrapping up mixes on the full length release right now.

We hope you can make it out for this special show and want to once again thank Shoes, WXRT and Space for having us part of what promises to be another very memorable evening.

Happy Summer!

The Valley Downs

Saturday 7/19/14 at 8PM

WXRT Presents

Shoes

The Valley Downs

@

Space

1245 Chicago Ave, Evanston, IL 60202  (847) 492-8860

evanstonspace.com (for venue info and tickets)

All Ages!

Valley Downs are:

Marianne Galassini

Christian Peterson

Todd Rusin

Mike Galassini

My Favorite Albums of 2012

I have always been reluctant to post any so-called "Best Of" album lists. Rather I prefer to title my end-of-year lists "Favorite Albums" since I think that while a certain album might be recognized as significant or essential in any given year it might wear out its welcome in the years ahead. To be honest, I rarely listen to Nirvana's Nevermind but still love to play Pearl Jam's timeless Ten and both were released in 1991. The list that follows here is a subjective look at what I like and albums I'm pretty sure will sound great in 2013, 2020 or beyond...

Neil Young & Crazy Horse, Psychedelic Pill
Neil Young & Crazy Horse returned big time in 2012, releasing the aptly-titled reworking of American folk songs Americana in June. But it was the subsequent October release of the 85-minute, two-disc Psychedelic Pill that resounded with the ambitious lyrical depth and sonic thunder equaling the troupe’s inspired classics. There are a number of great songs on Psychedelic Pill, with "Ramada Inn" and "Walk Like a Giant" among the best.

Aimee Mann, Charmer
On Charmer, singer-songwriter Aimee Mann offers up her literate observations via melodic and haunting songs that go down like vintage power-pop classics while boasting rich melodious colors and lyrical insights that artfully reveal themselves a little bit more with each subsequent listen. For those who loved Mann's Bachelor No. 2 (2000) or Lost in Space (2002) albums, Charmer is every bit their equal.





Rush, Clockwork Angels

While many classic rock fans have to be content with their heroes touring courtesy of nostalgia alone, Geddy Lee, Alex Lifeson and Neil Peart have continued to challenge themselves and their listeners with sharp and searing prog rock. Clockwork Angels’ detailed concept about a young man’s search to follow his dreams is supported by one of the trio’s most accessible and compelling collections since 2112.

Dead Can Dance, Anastasis
This year has proved to be a year of remarkable and noteworthy comebacks, with champions such as Neil Young, Aimee Mann and Rush joined by the duo Dead Can Dance, whose Anastasis was the first full-length studio effort since 1996. Brendan Perry and Lisa Gerrard continued their bold odyssey without missing a beat on Anastasis, blending goth rock, Celtic and world folk with an expert and artistic touch.

Gary Clark Jr., Blak and Blu
On his full-length debut, the Austin-based singer-songwriter-guitar virtuoso Gary Clark Jr. fuses the energetic guitar-anchored rock of Jimi Hendrix with the soulful singing of Al Green. The dozen far-flung originals explore every conceivable corner of the music universe. Blak and Blu is a challenging and rewarding disc to be sure.

Susanna Hoffs, Someday
Susanna Hoffs’ latest album may mine the 1960s territory of Petula Clark and Jackie DeShannon but is at its heart a personal recording that is both timeless and joyful. The singer-songwriter joined forces with acclaimed producer Mitchell Froom (Crowded House, Ron Sexsmith) to craft something far more compelling than an experiment in retro music making.

First Aid Kit, The Lion’s Roar
Who knew a couple of young sisters from Sweden would tap into the burgeoning Americana music movement like no other in 2012? Johanna and Klara Söderberg sing in angelic harmonies while conjuring up the ghosts of Gram Parsons, June Carter and Johnny Cash amidst beautiful songs that fully reawaken a spirit mostly missing from modern country music.

Otis Taylor, Contraband
Blues’ most innovative artist issued another stunning effort with Contraband, where his hypnotic baritone and so-called “trance blues” style fused the feel of early Robert Johnson recordings with African music. Few living artists bring the weight of history and power of music together like Taylor does in “Romans Had Their Way” and “Contraband Blues.


Shoes, Ignition
Another epic comeback. Ignition is Shoes’ first album since 1994’s Propeller, but is a sonic blast from start to finish. Power-pop has sadly been relegated to the commercial sidelines, but listening to Ignition is to rediscover the joys of undeniable melodies and rousing vocal harmonies powered by ringing guitars.


Dwight Yoakam, 3 Pears
Yet another striking return, Dwight Yoakam’s 3 Pears marks the honky tonk icon’s first new studio disc in seven years. Whether singing ballads (“It’s Never Alright”), or uptempo stuff (“Dim Lights, Thick Smoke”), there is plenty to love on this disc.

Honorable Mentions:

Alabama Shakes, Boys & Girls 
Jason Aldean, Night Train
ASIA, XXX
Beach House, Bloom
Blur, Parklive (deluxe 5-disc edition)
Micky Dolenz, Remember
Field Report, Field Report
Foxy Shazam, The Church of Rock 'n' Roll
The Fixx, Beautiful Friction
Grizzly Bear, Shields
Heart, Fanatic
Kenny Howes, Tornadoes Here and Past
Shawn Jones, Struggle Makes You Stronger
Led Zeppelin, Celebration Day
Rhett Miller, The Dreamer
Van Morrison, Born to Sing: No Plan B
Muse, The 2nd Law
Joan Osborne, Bring It On Home
Grace Potter and the Nocturnals, The Lion The Beast The Beat
Lee Rocker, Night Train to Memphis
The Shins, Port of Morrow
Sigur Rós, Valtari
Bruce Springsteen, Wrecking Ball 
Zac Brown Band, Uncaged
7Horse, Let the 7Horse Run

Music Worth Buying: Susanna Hoffs' "Someday" & Shoes' "Ignition"

On the latest episode of Music Worth Buying we celebrate the latest studio albums from Susanna Hoffs and Shoes.

Inbox Update: Americana fest, John Fogerty, Shoes, Doheny Days

There is a little bit of everything in today's roundup of recent media releases that have caught my eye. What follows are highlights from my overloaded inbox. Enjoy everybody!


Americana Summer Celebration at Blackberry Farm

The Americana Music Association has partnered with Blackberry Farm on a few events taking place in the Great Smoky Mountains of Tennessee. The weekend of July 20-22 will mark the association's third fundraising effort.

Featured performers at the special event include Rosanne Cash and John Leventhal, John Oates and Jim Lauderdale.

To reserve your place in this event, call 1-800-557-8864 or email reservations@blackberryfarm.com for accommodation reservations and event participation pricing and confirmation.

Information: http://www.blackberryfarm.com/

John Fogerty brings his epic song "Proud Mary" home to New Orleans in a new version with Jennifer Hudson

John Fogerty's latest recording of his classic "Proud Mary" featuring Jennifer Hudson will be featured on Wrote A Song For Everyone, set for release on Oct. 9, 2012. The release features newly-recorded classics from his timeless catalog as well as brand new songs performed alongside many of Fogerty's musical ancestors.

"Proud Mary" is just one of Fogerty’s classic songs from his vast canon of hits that will be included on ‘Wrote a Song for Everyone’ along with some brand new songs. The array of music’s hottest artists to acclaimed new bands include: Foo Fighters, Kid Rock, Bob Seger, Keith Urban, Brad Paisley, My Morning Jacket, Alan Jackson, Miranda Lambert and Dawes. Wrote a Song for Everyone will be released on Vanguard Records October 9, 2012. See below for complete tracklisting.


John Fogerty is a true American treasure, one of popular music’s all-time greatest singers, guitar players, and songwriters. As leader of Creedence Clearwater Revival, Fogerty forged a distinctive, groundbreaking sound all his own, equal parts swamp boogie, blues, country, pop, rockabilly, R&B, and Southern fried rock ‘n’ roll, all united by his uniquely evocative lyrical perspective.

Fogerty recently announced his first ever ‘Cross Canadian Revival Tour’ which begins September 7 in St. John’s, Newfoundland through September 29th in Victoria, BC.

A U.S. tour will follow.

JOHN FOGERTY: WROTE A SONG FOR EVERYONE



Vanguard Records / October 9, 2012

Jennifer Hudson: Proud Mary

Kid Rock: Born on the Bayou

Foo Fighters: Fortunate Son

My Morning Jacket: Long as I Can See the Light

Alan Jackson: Have You Ever Seen the Rain

Bob Seger: Who'll Stop the Rain

Brad Paisley: Hot Rod Heart

Miranda Lambert: Wrote a Song for Everyone

Keith Urban: Almost Saturday Night

Dawes: Someday Never Comes


Information: http://www.johnfogerty.com/


Shoes set to return with 'Ignition' on Aug. 14, 2012

Shoes, the rock band originally from Zion, Illinois, has been recording Shoes music since 1974. John Murphy, Gary Klebe and Jeff Murphy, the core members of the Shoes band, along with drummer, John Richardson, are preparing to release the Shoes Ignition album due out August 14, 2012.

Ignition switches on with 15 fresh, vital tracks from Shoes’ three founding members and songwriters: bassist-vocalist John Murphy, guitarist-vocalist Jeff Murphy, and guitarist-vocalist Gary Klebe, plus longtime stage drummer John Richardson. Self-produced and released on the band’s own Black Vinyl Records, Ignition not only carries on Shoes’ cult-heroic tradition of edibly tuneful, harmony-honeycombed guitar pop; it ventures intriguingly beyond those comfortable (though undeniably rewarding) borders as well. Altogether the work of seasoned, mature musicians whose singular trajectory as 100-percent self-taught, self-created recording artists has been outside-the-box since it began, Ignition showcases Shoes at their technical and artistic peak.



The album’s release coincides with that of a new book, definitive band chronicle Boys Don’t Lie: A History of Shoes by Mary E. Donnelly (New York college professor and managing editor of PurePopPress.com) with Moira McCormick. It recounts the critically-lionized group’s evolution from rudimentary mid-’70s experiments in cutting their own records at home, through a three-album 1980s tenure at major label Elektra Records, on to a ’90s incarnation as self-sufficient indie artists operating their own full-service label and studio businesses, before coming full-circle back to home recording in the new, post-digital-revolution millennium.

For more information on Shoes and the band's upcoming release Ignition, click here. Great news!



Doheny Days returns to Dana Point on Sept. 8 and 9, 2012

Doheny Days Music Festival returns to the whitewashed sandy beaches in Orange County on September 8 & 9 – the perfect end to a summer in SoCal!
Jane’s Addiction, The Flaming Lips & Jimmy Eat World will headline the festival. Joining the lineup are Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros, Rebelution, Delta Spirit, Beats Antique, Anuhea and many more! The festival will feature an eclectic mix of of music and more artists will be announced in the coming weeks.

Weekend Passes are on sale now via http://www.dohenydays.com/.

Here are some memories from the 2011 festival:

http://youtu.be/FdsnSPxA6a8


The World Famous KROQ will be giving away tix all summer long:

http://tinyurl.com/7ymqlkd



Ben Wener at The Orange County Register previewed the festival here:

http://tinyurl.com/7s2o548