Vinnie's relationship with Eric Carr
Posted: Sun Sep 29, 2013 5:24 pm
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johnkissfan1974
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Post Sep 28, 13 22:42
My encounter with Connie Caravello (Eric Carr's mother)
In the late 90's Eric Carr's parents had a booth at the Middletown NY fleamarket. I had learned of the booth by my father and stepmother, whom at that time lived in nearby Warwick. It was explained to me as a "Kiss" booth because of all the memorabilia that was featured, you could imagine my surprise when I visited the fleamarket and learned the owners were EC's parents!
Connie Caravella was present this day and she was an incredibly sweet woman. In reflection there are so many questions that I wished I had asked, but because I was so surprised I didn't know what to say. The following is what I clearly remember from that day.
The booth had personal items owned by EC and displayed for sale. The ONLY item that was featured but NOT for sale was the complete 1987 drum set from the Crazy Nights tour (metallic with the chikara symbols). The drum set was completely set up on the floor and I touched the metal drums as well as the chikara symbol (which was vinyl stickers I believe). There was some large paintings that fans had made for Eric throughout the years. The one that sticks out to me (and was my favorite) depicted the band from the 1980 People magazine cover. The painting was absolutely beautifully done and the background was either purple or blue with lighting bolts striking down towards Gene, Ace and Eric' head (Paul was down towards their feet area). Also I remember a cross that EC had worn in a bunch of photo shoots from the CN era as well as a pair of sunglasses were for sale.
I asked Connie who Eric was close with and she said Ace and Vinnie remained very close to him after they had left the band. After Eric' death, Vinnie had written a song called "An Elephants Last Parade" in memory of him (I don't follow VV so not sure if this is already public knowledge). She said that Gene was always friendly with she and Eric's father and spoke about he giving Eric the Porsche when he joined he joined the band but that Paul wasn't very outgoing to speak with them. She did state that Gene tried to contact Eric while he was in the hospital but at some point Eric cut all ties with G&P (which is what has been said for years). She also said that Eric was afraid he was going to be replaced or knew that he was going to be replaced.
She was present when he passed and I asked what his last moment was and what he said and she said that he looked up at her and said "mom" and that was it.
I purchased a VHS compilation featuring various footage, which I asked her to sign the cover. There was 5 or 6 photographs 4x6 of Eric from different ages of his childhood (ranging from age 5 to teens) and I stupidly sold those photos on ebay in 2002 to someone in Germany. A few years later I came across the photos on a website called Kissforums or something like that. I am not sure if it is still up and running. I did, however, keep the VHS tape with Mrs Caravello's signature on the cover as well as a letter that she sent me for their booth. I will look for the items and take a pic if anyone is interested.
johnkissfan1974
User avatar
Full KISS Army Member
Full KISS Army Member
Posts: 326
Joined: Feb 02, 07 21:07
Post Sep 28, 13 22:42
My encounter with Connie Caravello (Eric Carr's mother)
In the late 90's Eric Carr's parents had a booth at the Middletown NY fleamarket. I had learned of the booth by my father and stepmother, whom at that time lived in nearby Warwick. It was explained to me as a "Kiss" booth because of all the memorabilia that was featured, you could imagine my surprise when I visited the fleamarket and learned the owners were EC's parents!
Connie Caravella was present this day and she was an incredibly sweet woman. In reflection there are so many questions that I wished I had asked, but because I was so surprised I didn't know what to say. The following is what I clearly remember from that day.
The booth had personal items owned by EC and displayed for sale. The ONLY item that was featured but NOT for sale was the complete 1987 drum set from the Crazy Nights tour (metallic with the chikara symbols). The drum set was completely set up on the floor and I touched the metal drums as well as the chikara symbol (which was vinyl stickers I believe). There was some large paintings that fans had made for Eric throughout the years. The one that sticks out to me (and was my favorite) depicted the band from the 1980 People magazine cover. The painting was absolutely beautifully done and the background was either purple or blue with lighting bolts striking down towards Gene, Ace and Eric' head (Paul was down towards their feet area). Also I remember a cross that EC had worn in a bunch of photo shoots from the CN era as well as a pair of sunglasses were for sale.
I asked Connie who Eric was close with and she said Ace and Vinnie remained very close to him after they had left the band. After Eric' death, Vinnie had written a song called "An Elephants Last Parade" in memory of him (I don't follow VV so not sure if this is already public knowledge). She said that Gene was always friendly with she and Eric's father and spoke about he giving Eric the Porsche when he joined he joined the band but that Paul wasn't very outgoing to speak with them. She did state that Gene tried to contact Eric while he was in the hospital but at some point Eric cut all ties with G&P (which is what has been said for years). She also said that Eric was afraid he was going to be replaced or knew that he was going to be replaced.
She was present when he passed and I asked what his last moment was and what he said and she said that he looked up at her and said "mom" and that was it.
I purchased a VHS compilation featuring various footage, which I asked her to sign the cover. There was 5 or 6 photographs 4x6 of Eric from different ages of his childhood (ranging from age 5 to teens) and I stupidly sold those photos on ebay in 2002 to someone in Germany. A few years later I came across the photos on a website called Kissforums or something like that. I am not sure if it is still up and running. I did, however, keep the VHS tape with Mrs Caravello's signature on the cover as well as a letter that she sent me for their booth. I will look for the items and take a pic if anyone is interested.
