Ric Ocasek of The Cars Has Passed Away

2019-09-16

The Cars “The Essentials” album artwork – Story by Cat Badra

The Cars frontman Ric Ocasek was found dead in his New York City apartment

The Cars frontman Ric Ocasek passed away yesterday (Sept. 15) at the age of 75. According to a report by Page Six, Ocasek was “discovered unconscious and unresponsive” in his New York City apartment by his estranged wife, Paulina Porizkova. He appears to have passed away of natural causes, the report states.

Ocasek founded the Cars in 1976 in Boston with singer and bass player Benjamin Orr, guitarist Elliot Easton, keyboardist Greg Hawkes and drummer David Robinson. They performed their first gig on New Year’s Eve that same year and released their self-titled debut studio album in 1978.

The Cars went on to produce a slew of rock radio hits, including “Just What I Needed,” “Good Times Roll” and “My Best Friend’s Girl.” They had a unique sound that brought together classic rock guitars with a synth-based New Wave. The band continued to release new albums and tour into the ’80s, scoring popular rock radio hits such as “You Might Think” and “Drive.”

The Cars were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2018. The surviving members of the band reunited for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame ceremony, and there was even some speculation of the guys getting back together in the future to tour. Orr passed away of cancer at the age of 53 in 2000.

Ocasek is the second major loss in the rock community within the past week. Singer and songwriter Eddie Money passed away on Friday (Sept. 13).

Cat Badra
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