Ken Sharp's 'Overnight Sensation: The Story of Raspberries' returns via expanded edition

Fans of power pop band Raspberries are in luck!

Celebrated author Ken Sharp has completed a new super-sized edition of his long-out-of-print book Overnight Sensation: The Story of Raspberries. Sold out for more than 30 years, the expanded 2025 hardcover edition of Overnight Sensation is 820 pages (the original edition was 350 pages) and features a brand new front/back cover, reimagined interior book design and a wealth of essential new content.

Formed in 1970 in Cleveland, Ohio, the Raspberries released four albums between early 1972 and late 1974 that saw the groundbreaking quartet create and champion the so called "power pop" sound via strong songcraft, memorable melodies and sumptuous vocal harmonies. The group's classic lineup included Eric Carmen (vocals, guitars, bass, piano), Wally Bryson (guitars), Dave Smalley (guitars, bass) and Jim Bonfanti (drums). Although the band disbanded in 1975, the original lineup reunited three decades later and completed a well-received reunion tour in 2005. 

Highlights of Overnight Sensation: The Story of Raspberries includes:

• New and expanded interviews with members of Raspberries, producer Jimmy lenner (who produced all of the band's 1970s studio albums) and many others
• A plethora of rare photographs (many previously unseen), handwritten lyrics, archival articles./concert reviews, memorabilia, a massive updated discography and much more
• Essays and remembrances by musical colleagues, road crew, friends, family and band insiders
• In-depth coverage/interviews with pre-Raspberries bands (The Choir, Cyrus Erie, The Quick)
• Extensive post-Raspberries coverage of band member projects
• Expanded section on the Raspberries reunion

Raspberries in 1972.

Over the years, used copies of Overnight Sensation: The Story of Raspberries have sold for ridiculous amounts on the collector's market; a copy on Amazon now lists for $4,401! 

Now fans can get a new copy of the essential book for $75; each copy will include a special bonus of a Raspberries bookmark. 

For information how to get a copy of this special book, email sharpk@aol.com.

Robert Kinsler

R.I.P. Eric Carmen

I am in shock. It has just been announced that Eric Carmen passed away over the weekend. I was a tremendous fan of singer-songwriter Carmen, and especially of his work with the Raspberries. In particular, I consider that band's "Go All the Way" one of my all-time favorite songs; in fact I discussed the song on a video episode of "Top 100 Songs of All Time" on TJR's popular YouTube channel you can view HERE. Other gems from that power pop band included "Overnight Sensation," "Tonight" and "Let's Pretend." His solo hits included "All By Myself" and "Hungry Eyes." Only 74, Carmen's death has been announced by his wife Amy Carmen. Read a wonderful appreciation of the artist written by John M. Borack HERE. Learn more about Carmen's life and passing HERE...Robert Kinler

The Choir's 'Last Call: Live at the Music Box' set for release on June 5, 2020

Exciting news that a two-disc live set from '60s rockers The Choir is coming later this spring! Here is the official media release...

The Choir's 'Last Call: Live at the Music Box' captures 50th anniversary in hometown Cleveland; 2-CD set coming on June 5, 2020

Features live versions of their hits, plus covers of the Kinks, the Nice, Spooky Tooth, Procol Harum, Bob Seger and others. The band contributed liner notes to the set!

"We started as teenagers with high hopes and great expectations. Our lives took different paths and the years brought each of us different experiences. One thing remained throughout, and that was friendship. That friendship has lasted over a half century!" - Jim Bonfanti

CLEVELAND, Ohio — In 2018, when Omnivore Recordings put out The Choir’s first-ever full-length platter, no one knew what impact the release of that recording would have. (Note: this Choir is not to be confused with the ’80s SoCal band.)

 

Sure, the group, in its many different manifestations during the ’60s, had released several singles, including a Top 10 smash, 1967’s “It’s Cold Outside,” in its hometown of Cleveland. That song would reach #68 on the Billboard national charts. But the garage rock band — whose many different members went on to form other important bands like Raspberries and the James Gang — had never made an album of their own before.

So 50 years on, when the tapes of an aborted album were found, mixed and released as Artifact: The Unreleased Album to unanimous critical acclaim, the 1968 version of The Choir suddenly found itself back in the limelight with a weighty decision: to reclaim their vision and perform live, back where they came from, the home of rock ’n’ roll, Cleveland, Ohio.

 

Omnivore Recordings is proud to announce the release of Last Call: Live at the Music Box, the Choir’s 50th anniversary performance captured liveat Cleveland’s Music Box the night of September 20, 2019.

 

The band plays perfect renditions of material from Artifact, and also dips into their deep bag of influences. Hear dynamite versions of songs by Procol Harum, Billy Preston, Spooky Tooth, the Nice, the Kinks, Bob Seger and yes, even a cover of Jimmy Webb’s grandiose epic “MacArthur Park.” And a rearranged “It’s Cold Outside” reflects the current musical makeup of the group, which includes Ken Margolis (keyboards), Phil Giallombardo (organ), Randy Klawon (guitars), Denny Carleton (bass), and Jim Bonfanti (drums).

 

This two-disc set, in stores June 5, 2020, also includes remembrances from each member of the band as well as photos from the night of the show. 

 

So, if you meant to buy that plane ticket to Cleveland for this concert but didn’t, or even if you were there, step right up and don’t be late for Last Call with the Choir!

 

Track Listing:

 

Disc One:

1. A Whiter Shade Of Pale 

2. Anyway I Can

3. Love Really Changed Me 

4. Ladybug

5. Shine On Brightly

6. I Can’t Stay In Your Life 

7. That’s The Way God Planned It

8. Boris’ Lament

9. What About You

10. Have I No Love To Offer

11. America

 

Disc Two:

1. Kaleidoscope

2. If These Are Men

3. David Watts

4. It’s All Over

5. Mummer Band

6. For Eric

7. A Salty Dog

8. Good Times

9. Macarthur Park

10. It’s Cold Outside

11. Conquistador

12. Ramblin’ Gamblin’ Man

 

Recorded live, September 20, 2019, at the Music Box Supper Club, Cleveland, Ohio by Mike Miller.

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The Choir trailer: https://youtu.be/-ukO9okq2SU