In the late 70s and early 80s, one band stood above all others relative to originality and sound. The Cars! In 1978 the Cars were named “Best New Artist” in the 1978 Rolling Stone Readers’ by its readers, and their very first LP sold nearly seven million units. Their MTV video for “You Might Think” earned them Video of the Year, and songs like “Just What I Needed,” “Drive,” ”My Best Friends Girl,” propelled the boys in the band sell over 30 million albums in the US.
Much like other great bands, Rick Ocasek met Benjamin Orr in Cleveland in the late 60s while playing in separate bands. They hit it off right away, promising to keep in touch as they went about their merry ways. Years later, they ran into each other again just outside Boston, realizing they were meant to be in the same band. It was their fourth LP ‘Shake It Up,’ that delivering the hit single “Since You’ve Been Gone.”
The Cars broke up in 1988, and although there had been talks about a reunion, Rick was against it. Sadly, Benjamin Orr died of pancreatic cancer in 2000, thus they lost all chances of getting back together again. The Cars were up for induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2015, but have yet to get the call.