Eric Carmen, a singer-songwriter best known for the classic song “All By Myself,” passed away at the age of 74, his wife has announced.
Before establishing himself as a solo performer, the American star first gained fame with the power pop group the Raspberries.
One of his greatest solo successes, Hungry Eyes, was featured in the 1987 cult film Dirty Dancing.
Carmen’s wife Amy said in a statement on his official website, “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.”
She concluded her statement with the quote “love is all that matters… faithful and forever” from his 1977 solo album Boats Against The Current.
The Ohio-born singer co-founded the Raspberries in the early 1970s with Jim Bonfanti and Wally Bryson, and was later joined by Dave Smalley after John Aleksic left. Their first album, Raspberries, was released in 1972. Some of the songs, including “Go All The Way,” which later featured on the 2014 Guardians of the Galaxy soundtrack, were banned by the BBC in the UK due to its sexually suggestive lyrics.
One of his most well-known solo songs is All By Myself, which was later covered by Canadian singer Celine Dion and became one of her most iconic hits.
