The Raspberries and Joe Walsh are part of a new phenomenon in the United States. They are part of a fascinating second generation of rock and roll, in that they both acknowledge a number of British musicians among their influences, many of whom in turn, found inspiration in the great American rock and blues musicians.

The cross-fertilisation process is by no means over, but at the moment this second generation is producing the most exciting new music to come from America this decade. Joe Walsh first attracted attention as a member of the James Gang. He has his own band as well as doubling as a producer, most notably with Dan Fogelberg. Our American correspondent Jon Tiven spoke to Walsh and his new drummer Ricky Fataar, as well as to Eric Carmen of the Raspberries.

Both Walsh and Carmen grew up and began to perform in the Cleveland, Ohio area, which has led some American writers to dub Cleveland "The New Liverpool". Accurate or not, Walsh and The Raspberries are exciting enormous attention on both sides of the Atlantic, most recently in their respective albums, So What and Starting Over.