Eric Carmen dead at 74: Raspberries singer famous for hits Hungry Eyes and All By Myself passes away in his sleep leaving beloved wife devastated

Raspberries frontman Eric Carmen, known for his solo hits Hungry Eyes and All by Myself, has died at age 74. 

His wife, Amy, who he wed in 2016, confirmed the devastating news on his website on Monday. 

'It is with tremendous sadness that we share the heartbreaking news of the passing of Eric Carmen,' the newscaster wrote. 'Our sweet, loving and talented Eric passed away in his sleep, over the weekend. 

She continued: 'It brought him great joy to know, that for decades, his music touched so many and will be his lasting legacy.' 

Raspberries frontman Eric Carmen, known for his solo hits Never Gonna Fall in Love Again, She Did It and Hungry Eyes, has died at age 71 (pictured in 1970)

Eric pictured with his wife Amy

His wife, Amy, who he wed in 2016, confirmed the devastating news on his website on Monday (seen in 2007)

Amy requested fans respect her request for privacy as she and his loved ones mourn their 'enormous loss.' 

She concluded her statement by referencing his 1977 track, Love Is All That Matters, as she signed off with his lyrics: 'Love Is All That Matters...Faithful and Forever.'

Eric's exact cause of death is unknown at this time. 

He skyrocketed to fame after releasing his breakout hit, Go All the Way, with the pop rock band, Raspberries, which was formed in 1970. 

The group, hailing from Cleveland, Ohio, had success in the early 1970s and drew inspiration from bands like The Beatles, The Who, The Hollies, and Small Faces.

After a five-year run, the band went their separate ways professionally.  

Their most well-known songs include Let's Pretend, I Wanna Be with You, Tonight, and Overnight Sensation (Hit Record). 

Although he was classically trained in piano, the rocker taught himself guitar as a teenager by following a Beatles chord book. 

'It is with tremendous sadness that we share the heartbreaking news of the passing of Eric Carmen,' she wrote. 'Our sweet, loving and talented Eric passed away in his sleep, over the weekend; pictured in 1975

His exact cause of death is unknown at this time

He skyrocketed to fame after releasing his breakout hit, Go All the Way, with the pop rock, Raspberries, which formed in 1970 from Cleveland, Ohio (seen in 1987)

After four months, he began to successfully play the instrument and went on to join a band named Cyrus Erie while attending John Carroll University. 

As a solo artist, he released some of his greatest hits, including All by Myself, It Hurts Too Much and The Way We Used to Be.

Additionally, his tracks, Never Gonna Fall in Love Again, She Did It and the Dirty Dancing classic Hungry Eyes found incredible success on the Billboard Hot 100. 

During that time, Eric also wrote for other artists, including Shaun Cassidy, who reached the top 10 with Carmen's compositions Hey Deanie and That's Rock and Roll. 

The group had success in the early 1970s and drew inspiration from bands like The Beatles , The Who, The Hollies, and Small Faces; pictured in 2007

As a solo artist, he released some of his greatest hits, including All by Myself, It Hurts Too Much and The Way We Used to Be; seen in 1987

In 2004, he delighted fans by reuniting with the original Raspberries members Jim Bonfanti, Wally Bryson, and Dave Smalley. 

At one show, he recalled thinking they 'were being radical.' 

'But FM radio thought we were being reactionary,' he mused. 

In another interview about reuniting with his former bandmates, Eric said: 'People used to ask me 'Why don't you guys get together and just play one gig?' 

'Because it takes the same amount of preparation for one good show as a six-month tour,' he explained. 'I never wanted to be the guy to put this band back on a stage and pop everyone's bubble and have them go home saying 'Oh, they weren't that good.''

Additionally, he said 30 years had passed and 'everybody is a grown-up now, with a life.' 

On that tour, the group recorded a live album of their biggest hits at The House of Blues on Sunset Strip. 

Kiss frontman Paul Stanley was among the first to pay tribute on X (previously known as Twitter)

Radio host Eric Alper wrote: 'Eric Carmen, the lead singer of The Raspberries, who had a million-selling single with 'Go All the Way.' and later a solo artist with hits like 'All by Myself,' 'Never Gonna Fall in Love Again,' 'Hungry Eyes,' and 'Make Me Lose Control,' has passed away at the age of 74'

'Thank you for the music & memories,' one fan wrote

A number of his followers looked back on his greatest hits, including All by Myself, as they praised him for making music they 'could relate to as a teenager'

'RIP Eric Carmen,' another wrote. 'I can't tell you as a painfully shy and lonely kid, how much this song touched me'

Actor Michael Des Barres wrote: 'An exquisite songwriter and vocalist and performer. He loved Steve Marriott and also loved Pop music. He put the two together and created something new …RIP, Eric Carmen' 

Singer John Eddit shared a long tribute as he reacted to Eric's death

'God Speed,' an X user posted, alongside Amy's statement that Eric had passed

In 2013, he released his first new song in 15 years, titled Brand New Year. 

Following news of his death fans and musicians around the world flocked to mourn him. 

Kiss frontman Paul Stanley was among the first to pay tribute on X (previously known as Twitter). 

'Awful News. Eric Carmen has died,' he wrote. Although known to many for writing radio hits like 'All By Myself' and others, Eric was a true rocker at heart. His voice had elements of McCartney and Steve Marriott. The Raspberries did shows with us. A killer band live & I loved their records.'

'Thank you for the music & memories,' one fan wrote. 

A number of his followers looked back on his greatest hits, including All by Myself, as they praised him for making music they 'could relate to as a teenager.' 

Actor Michael Des Barres wrote: 'An exquisite songwriter and vocalist and performer. He loved Steve Marriott and also loved Pop music. He put the two together and created something new …RIP, Eric Carmen.'

Singer John Eddit shared a long tribute as he reacted to Eric's death. 

'It’s a sad day for my inner child who is now in his late forties,' he tweeted. 'Rest in peace Eric Carmen and thank you for the Raspberries.'