The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame class of 2018 was announced, welcoming the Moody Blues, Nina Simone, Bon Jovi, Dire Straits and the Cars to the Hall. Let’s spend a few minutes with the Cars…
Founding members 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. Years later, they ran into each other again just outside Boston, leaving their bands, realizing they were meant to be in the same band. It was their fourth LP ‘Shake It Up’ that delivered their first big hit single “Since You’ve Been Gone.”
In 1978 the Cars were named “Best New Artist” by Rolling Stone. The Cars very first LP sold nearly seven million units. Their MTV video for “You Might Think” earned them the MTV ‘Video of the Year,’ and songs like “Just What I Needed,” “Drive,” and “My Best Friends Girl” propelled the boys in the band sell over 40 million albums in the US.
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.
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