Scott McCarl of the Raspberies in 1977
Copywritten Photo courtesy of Scott McCarl
Eric Meets John
Eric Carmen is said to have met John Lennon for the first time at the Record Plant where the Raspberries were recording their "Starting Over" album. It was quite the introduction with Eric hitting John in the face with the men's room door.
Eric and Raspberries' drummer Mike McBride were invited by Lennon to hand-clap in the background for the Harry Nillson track "Loop de Loop" on the "Pussycats" album.
John Lennon is said to have loved the Raspberries album and rumour has it that
John assisted the group with the mix of their song "Overnight Sensation."
The Raspberries had a poster in their recording studio that Lennon painted over including
eyeglasses and other swirls of color, signing it at the bottom. Surprisingly, none of the group members took the poster
home from the studio and its current whereabouts remains unknown.
Rumoured Lennon Rickenbacker
It had been rumoured for some time that Lennon was so taken with the
Raspberries' music and Eric Carmen's interest in the Rickenbacker 12 string that he present
a member of the Raspberries with a Rickenbacker 360/12 Fireglo. It was not possible to
document this through any written source either than the interesting comments made in preparation for
a Bonham's Auction. Repeated visitations to the site were unable to determine whether the instrument was purchased, and if so, for what amount.
The photograph and particulars of the instrument and the auction are presented here.
Rumored 360/12 Fireglo presented to Raspberries
1967 GI 3950 used in Nillson Album recorded at Record Plant
Bonham's Auction Lot 762
"February 18, 1998 at 56-59 Lots Road Chelsea London England
JOHN LENNON:
A rare 12-string Rickenbacker custom red GLO Serial No. G.1.3950 1967 owned and played by John Lennon.
£2500-3000
This guitar was used in New York's Record Plant Studio whilst recording with Harry Nillson. The USA band, The Raspberries, were also recording at the Record Plant at this time. A member of The Raspberries played this guitar on a session with John and Harry and expressed a liking for the guitar. John later gave this guitar to The Raspberry band member (the vendor) for his help on the session. With full letter of authenticity.
See Inside Front Cover Illustration"
Raspberries' Reaction
All of the previous members of the Raspberries have a busy schedule and of
their email reponses to date only one has commented the "Rumoured Lennon Rickenbacker." After sometime
Eric Carmen graciously responded to my query about the instrument. A quote from Eric
was received late in 1998 and was as follows.
"To Peter McCormack: I heard about this auction some
time ago and to the best of my knowledge John Lennon didn't give any
Rickenbacker 12-string guitar to any of the Raspberries. I'm not sure how
this story came about, but I'm pretty sure if John HAD given any of us the
guitar we would remember." Thus ends the story and speculation regarding yet
another Rickenbacker guitar owned by John Lennon.
For more information regarding the Raspberries
visit the Eric Carmen Homepage
Article Submitted on January 10, 1999
© 1999 Peter R. McCormack. All rights reserved.