The Story of the Raspberries

Storytellers: Jim Bonfanti & Al Kaston

 
 
 
 
 

Doors open at 5:00pm, with the storytelling beginning promptly at 7:00pm

• Weekly series combining great food with great stories about Cleveland’s past
• FREE ADMISSION – NO COVER CHARGE
• In addition to our regular menu, we will be offering affordable specials on these nights

Story topic this week…

The Story of the Raspberries
Take a behind-the-scenes journey into one of Cleveland’s most influential rock bands with former Raspberries drummer Jim Bonfanti and former manager Al Kaston. From the band’s formation and rise to fame, to the stories behind their biggest hits and lasting impact on power pop, they’ll share firsthand memories, rare insights, and unforgettable moments that only those who lived it can tell. Hear the stories behind the music, the friendships, and the moments that shaped the Raspberries’ incredible journey from Cleveland favorites to international rock pioneers. Whether you’re a lifelong fan or discovering the Raspberries for the first time, this evening offers a unique look at a band that helped put Cleveland on the rock and roll map and continues to influence musicians today.

Jim Bonfanti Bio

Jim Bonfanti co-founder, renowned drummer and vocalist for legendary classic rock band Raspberries, has been playing professionally since the mid 1960’s.

With The Beatles’ Ed Sullivan appearance as his inspiration, Jim Bonfanti began his musical career in the mid-1960s with The Mods, who would soon become the highly influential regional band The Choir, scoring in 1967 with the garage band classic hit “It’s Cold Outside.” You can still hear this classic track, complete with Jim’s signature intro, around the world on many satellite radio stations including Tom Petty’s Buried Treasure and Little Steven’s Underground Garage. One of The Choir’s biggest local fans was another local musician, Eric Carmen. The Choir would continue with several personnel changes until the spring of 1969.

By early 1970, Jim Bonfanti and Eric Carmen’s previous bands had disbanded, and the two joined forces, adding Choir alumni Wally Bryson and Dave Smalley to form the band that, in the decades to follow would be internationally regarded as the architects of the power pop genre, Raspberries. With Bonfanti’s unique style solidifying the band’s sound, the band would become a million-selling group with the top-5 classic “Go All The Way,” the top-10 “I Wanna Be With You,” the top-20 “Let’s Pretend” and the highly influential AOR tracks “Ecstasy” and “Tonight,” which all feature Jim’s signature beats and fills.

The classic line-up reunited from 2004-2009 for a very successful run of sold-out concerts with fans from as far as England, the Netherlands, New Zealand and Japan coming to the U.S.A. to witness the reunion concerts.
 

Al Kaston Bio

Al Kaston is a 50+ year veteran of the music business, with an emphasis on wholesale and retail sales, management, marketing and promotion. Concurrent with a 35+ year career in the financial services industry, Al has managed and facilitated various concerts, music events, meet-and-greets and artist appearances for record labels and venues.

Al worked in a management capacity with Raspberries during their reunion era, including 16 concerts and as a project manager for two national label concert releases, 2007’s Live On Sunset Strip and 2017’s Pop Art Live, the highly regarded and critically acclaimed recording of Raspberries’ first reunion concert on November 26, 2004. Al continues to manage the band’s social media and merchandise platforms.

For the last 10+ years Al has managed original MSB and Breathless singer/songwriter/guitarist Jonah Koslen.

The goal of the Cleveland Stories Dinner Party is to bring to life some of the fun, interesting stories about Cleveland’s past – from sports, to rock ‘n roll, to Millionaire’s Row, — the series will focus on tidbits from Cleveland’s past that will really thrill the audience. The Music Box is presenting this series in partnership with the Western Reserve Historical Society’s new Cleveland History Center. We think the Cleveland History Center is one of the most important museums in Cleveland. An unknown gem that Clevelanders should know more about, and support. It is the only museum in Cleveland dedicated to preserving and documenting the history of Cleveland. The Cleveland History Center includes two mansions, the Crawford Auto Aviation Museum, Chisholm Halle Costume Wing, Research Library, Kidzibits Hands-On Gallery, rotating exhibitions, and the Euclid Beach Park Grand Carousel.

See all Cleveland Stories dates here.