Ric Ocasek, frontman and producer for The Cars, died on Sunday in New York City at the age of 75. Rolling Stone confirmed the news with an NYPD representative yesterday evening. No cause of death is currently available.
Ocasek, born in Baltimore and eventually making his way to Boston, fronted and acted as the primary songwriter for The Cars from their forming in 1976, and the band released their self-titled debut two years later, beginning an influential career that would solidify them as one of the memorable groups from the late-’70s new wave movement, spawning early hits like the ubiquitous “Just What I Needed” and “My Best Friend’s Girl.”
After The Cars’ dissolution in 1988, Ocasek pursued a solo career and continued production work, including on Weezer’s Blue and Green albums, along with work on albums from Guided By Voices, No Doubt, Le Tigre and more. The Cars reunited (without bassist/singer Benjamin Orr, who passed away in 2000) in 2010 and released a finale album, Move Like This, the next year.
Ocasek and The Cars were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2018, reuniting again for one performance featuring Weezer bassist Scott Shriner. Weezer released a heartfelt note after Ocasek’s passing, writing, “Ric was so kind to us, and never faltered or changed a thing either professionally or personally in the three different decades we worked with him. When you were his friend, it was for life, and he was always as generous as could be with his time and care.”
5 Comments comments associated with this post
Dinahmoehumm
September 16, 2019 at 8:27 pmHe sorta looked like a taller, skinnier Alice Cooper in New Wave clothes. Oh well, RIP Mr. Ocasek. Those old Cars singles sounded pretty good coming out of the El Cheapo speaker in my 1973 Pinto.
Daniel
September 16, 2019 at 2:47 pm‘My Best Friends Girl Friend’ was the “Louie Louie’ of the 70’s. It’s basic 1-4-5 could be played almost instantly by beginning Garage Bands and novices. (As long as one could figure out how to transpose it from F?). I sure miss those simplistic rock and roll progressions that the ‘best bands’, especially the ‘Cars’ could do magic with! Other than that we also listened to ‘Yes, ELP, Kansas and Boston’ (at the time) whom we also loved, and yet ‘couldn’t’ copy! RIP Ric and Eddie. We are extremely grateful for your enduring music(s).
Bob
September 16, 2019 at 2:39 pmHe was born in 1949. That would make him 70. RIP
Rich
September 16, 2019 at 2:56 pm3/23/44 was his birthday according to Wiki. Not the best source but the 3 articles I’ve read all list him as 75.
Greg
September 16, 2019 at 2:08 pmBummer. They are dropping like flies. We just got Candy-O and Heartbeat City on MoFi Original Master Recording vinyl they sound incdedible. Panorama is underrated with some cool tunes that haven’t been overplayed. Dude was proof that rock star $ can get high end ass regardless of looks. The Cars were not very “deep”, neither was Eddie Money, but fun listening and party music. RIP.