Just What I Needed - The Cars | The Midnight Special

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[@abelincoln3287]

Benjamin Orr, one of the coolest guys ever!

[@Jbones72]

People don’t realize how many hits he sang!

[@groovedohg]

Especially in the beginning of this song, he reminded me of a male equivalent of Debbie Harry. Those 2 together would have been an unbeatable couple

[@mfsb8473]

Ric Ocasek should have let Ben sing all the songs. When you have a guy in the band as handsome as Ben, you make him the front man.

[@TuckerSP2011]

He absolutely was. So talented yet humble.

[@Fordham1969]

@@mfsb8473 No. Orr may have had a "better" voice in the traditional sense but Ocasek's was definitely more interesting sounding and was one of the elements that made the band unique and original.

[@hfrench789]

When you are almost 60 and never knew Ric wasn't the only singer for the Cars. Seriously appreciate learning about Benjamin and his talent. He was truly awesome

[@mowieboy]

I thought the exact same thing! I had no idea, but now I can hear the difference. And I’m 59! Lol

[@mikehawk6782]

So you thought Ric was the one who sung Drive?

[@torreyintahoe]

I always thought Rick was the singer and I was listening to these guys in the early 80's.

[@DavidMoore-bl7gb]

It was a long time before I realized Rick was not the main singer. I bought their double cassette when I was 11 it wasn't til I was about 30 I learned my mistake.

[@TheAgentAssassin]

Yeah isn't that weird? I always thought Ric sang all the songs. Some sort of weird Mandela effect. I was in my 50s when I found out. How did this happen?

[@OfficialJayPriceman]

Ben had the looks and the voice... What an AMAZING rockstar

[@mr.majestic3851]

Ben making all the girls sick in 78

[@kennethfurr7397]

He reminds me of Roger Taylor from Queen.

[@nancyfilingeri414]

I agree

[@wheelinthesky300]

Ben's voice has a clarity like distilled water. One of the best singers of his era.

[@hankscorpion]

I can hear a voice that inspired goth singers everywhere... DEFINITELY like his vocals over the howard stern looking guy

[@wheelinthesky300]

@@hankscorpion Rick had a good voice, but more of a novelty sound. Ben had one of the best voices of the late 70s/early 80s.

[@deenine]

@@wheelinthesky300 I think Rick and Ben had very similar voices.

[@wheelinthesky300]

@@deenine There was some similarity. But Rick's voice kind of wobbled, had a little hippity hop, and was a bit more baritone, with Ben more staccato, leaning tenor. Could be that Rick wanted Ben to sing things a certain way. As Rick wrote most of the material, I'll wager he sang on demo tracks and Ben tried to emulate him to a degree.

[@deenine]

@@wheelinthesky300 Once I learned to listen I could hear it, but as a kid I always thought it was one guy.

[@LuckyPenny67]

I’m officially obsessed with this particular video. Thank goodness the cameraman spent so much time zoomed in on the beautiful face of Benjamin Orr. Fantastic voice, great song!

[@jojospeechy4848]

Ditto!! Benjamin was gorgeous? ❤❤🔥🔥😘😘

[@gramparkhurst7450]

Happy heavenly birthday Benjamin ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@lf9341]

My eyeballs are forever grateful!

[@tommyrsrracer]

57 year old straight guy about to head out to deer camp and I agree, man crush! 😂

[@rleon8339]

What a voice Ben had. No computers, no tuners, just a microphone plugged into an amplifier. Incredible.

[@stevenvondrak]

Vocal Analysis from "Wings of Pegasus" KZbin channel - kzbin.info/www/bejne/Y3bFioSvpLOIadE

[@gizmoitus]

One of the all time great voices in Rock history. Far too few people knew that most of the hits were built around Ben's one of a kind voice, and these lived performances rendered while playing bass. 70's rock was the sound of incredible vocalists: Ben, Brad Delp, Paul Rodgers and Lou Gramm.

[@moonbubbles3046]

Benjamin Orr was a beautiful man in every sense of the word.

[@sweetsinnndy5201]

He really was

[@mikeyoungblood1642]

Yep. I’m heterosexual but that man was fucking gorgeous and badass

[@kimmyfreak200]

yup... kinda has the bobby from karate kid/luke skywalker look

[@danettewelborn5577]

Very gorgeous man and he sings good too!

[@TheMisterGriswold]

He's often referred to as "Beautiful Ben".

[@jobu88]

You can't make kids today understand how important the Midnight Special was, back when you had 3 TV channels and no internet.

[@AbsurdlyGeeky]

It was a cultural moment that will only ever exist in posterity. Time grinds onward.

[@pdogg6470]

Well said.

[@paulmartin7737]

I am just discovering it, we never got it in Aus. Marc Bolan's was a great clip!

[@EvilEndz]

Late night live music shows are the absolute best thing ever. We have Later with Jools Holland these days. Priceless.

[@tjs114]

We had more than 3 channels when Midnight Special aired, but we were in the San Francisco bay area, so maybe that explained it. Friday night/Saturday morning after Johnny Carson. Between Midnight Special, Rock Concert and later Videowest Backstage Pass; live music was something we could see at home.

[@le_th_]

Almost forgot how incredibly sexy Orr was as a front man, and not just his look but his voice. This Midnight Special segment is so much better than when I saw them live in 1984, so so much better.

[@bradowen761]

It's crazy because I always thought of him as another random older rocker dude in the 80s, but watching this now... my goodness, he really was so beautiful.

[@Candy_O_11]

@@bradowen761 Totally agree - I was too young to appreciate Ben when this song came out but OMG he is perfection! Both as a musician, vocalist and rockstar!

[@SamanthaRunion-s5p]

Heck even his teeth were sexy! LOL

[@weeniehutjunior]

Ben was such an incredible singer. But also he exuded amazing charm, and coolness. He was mesmerizing to watch.

[@johnwatts8346]

and he was a good looking fella as well.

[@simbagabrielle5891]

Mesmerising and hot AF … my first rock ❤❤❤

[@KittyGrizGriz]

He was a very humble man too, makes him all the more 🥵!!

[@gordonmills2748]

Not gonna lie, he was an incredibly handsome man. True "rock star" good looks.

[@Woozlewuzzleable]

Anyone else think he looks like Jude Law.

[@juliedaisies]

I am angry I didn’t understand how Ben was vital to my life until now. He is a treasure and I am grateful for his voice. Cancer sucks.

[@SuperMarbles13]

Fellow cancer survivor here! (colon stage 3) Hope you are well! That man was a damn treasure! 😻😻😻 Got to briefly meet Ric ocasek on the heartbeat City tour. Glad to report I was the uncoolest, slobberiest, dork fan girl EVER 🤔😵‍💫😹 (Ben waved at us as he was passing by . Be still my 💜

[@leokimvideo]

A band who defined the 80's pop sound in the 70's

[@neonfroot]

Most decade cultures often start in the last years of the previous decade.

[@RubbelisPro]

100% ahead of their time. Same with Talking Heads, and so many other great bands that spawned in the mid-'70s.

[@richardlefaive1944]

Bingo. These guys were new wave 5 years b4 the term even existed. 80s synth pop was basically launched off these guys.

[@techlab1883]

And the 70s were riding off the waves of the 60s

[@MontagTheMagician]

I'd say that was the B-52s.

[@gogonog]

Their first album could have been a greatest hits album it is that good !

[@jimomertz]

It’s one of those rare perfect debut albums.

[@MrAitraining]

Most debut albums are made up of all the band's best stuff they've written and compiled during their pre record deal career years. the 2nd and 3rd album is the real trick. Less time and more pressure.

[@johnwatts8346]

yep, total class.

[@ronaldmilner8932]

Wait...I thought it was a greatest hits album!!!

[@Kingfisher1215]

And yet Candy O was a better album. It was significantly more refined.

[@benjaminogdon3808]

It's nuts how good Ben Orr is. He's nailing the vocals and the visuals... while playing bass. And he's nailing that too.

[@popsrock6622]

Benjamin Orzechowski September 8, 1947-October 3, 2000 Polish-American, Rock God! Thanks for the music! We miss you! Rest In Peace!

[@stevenvondrak]

Ben's father and paternal grandfather were born in present day Ukraine. His mother, born Alzbeta Benova, was Carpatho-Rusyn and born in present day Kojšov, Slovakia.

[@devinthierault]

​@@stevenvondrakYup ethnic distribution completely changed post world war 2.

[@Markothunder]

Even Ric Ocasek😢

[@ConteL62]

@@stevenvondrak Thank you for this comment, first I've ever read that was correct about his ancestry. His mother's birth location was Hungary at the time, but border changed to Czechoslovakia 6 years before she emigrated. Many people from that town settled in the Cleveland area. Mother Hungarian, Father Russian by birth location. Religion was Russian Orthodox.

[@MissJensk1]

❤

[@dystopian..]

I just turned 60 and this band still gets me and the wife of 34 years up and rocking.

[@mikeparker3865]

me too my friend. saw them on Halloween 1979 in Portland Maine and it still ranks as one of my all time favorites slightly behind two Eagles front rows in Boston and a meet and greet with Joe Walsh.

[@dystopian..]

@@mikeparker3865 wow. Now that’s amazing.

[@Uncle_Mark2600]

I love the Cars; Benjamin Orr is awesome! Elliot Easton very underrated.

[@AWZap]

Okay, I’m an 80’s child who was born in 78 and had no idea there was a front man before Ric and this is the first time I’m seeing Benjamin Orr. My mind is absolutely blown. Just blown.

[@lambyUK2007]

There wasn't a frontman before Ric, it's just that he and Benjamin occasionally would alternate singing duties.

[@tjs114]

Ben Orr wasn't showy like Ric; but he did some of their best ballads. I believe the last to really stand out was "Drive" released in 1984 which hit #3 in the Top 100 and #1 in Adult Contemporary. It's also the only single the Cars ever had that certified Gold.

[@zookytar]

@@tjs114 He did some of their best hard rockers, too.

[@rick6z5]

This band is the perfect example of a well oiled machine. They sounded exactly like being in the studio when they played live.

[@misterwirez7731]

That's kinda how they made records back in the day. They go in the studio and get everyone's sound just right, and the mics were setup for each instrument and the sound they wanted to capture. Then the band all just played.

[@florpcorp]

@@misterwirez7731 that's actually a pretty uncommon way of recording, even back then. I don't think they recorded the album that way either

[@Rondo2ooo]

​@florpcorp so and so... even today bands play together and jo track-wise, especially if they are good.

[@Cruciferaer]

Thought the backup vocals were a little rough here honestly

[@karenstoddard8278]

Love this song! Benjamin was smoking hot. So much talent in one band!

[@browndentalpa1753]

This video is special. The closeup of Ben Orr is Gold. I wasn’t a big fan of Cars when they started but that has changed since I saw this video. Yes Ric was a genius. The other band members were great but Ben Orr , the voice, the face, the hair, this is his Best. Cheers Ben please rest in peace except to hear those who get such joy from your presence on Earth. Thank you Sir.

[@Goawaykidyoubotherme]

Or was the straw that stirred the drink

[@musical_mortgage_guy]

Ben owned that stage- cool and charismatic to the max.

[@K-D76]

Ben was so incredibly GORGEOUS 😍 with a rockstar body, rockstar voice & beautiful angelic voice, as well. He was extremely humble & so proffessional. RIP Ben Orr 😢 & Ric -you both will never be forgotten. I wish I had got the chance to see Ben perform live with The Cars ❤

[@torreyintahoe]

He was a beautiful man inside and out.

[@jeffwolinski2659]

Damn his vocal here is so much better than the studio version! Legend, RIP, gone wayyyyyyy too soon.

[@animemanganet]

Actually I think all of their older live versions are better than their recorded versions. Once they toured in 1984 though I think the powers that be synthesized their voices whilst in concert. Ruined it for me. I concentrate on these older performances : )

[@scottiehall8695]

No autotune. No pitch correction. No flashy show with dancers. Just raw talent.

[@greatunz67]

Benjamin Orr was the true heart of The Cars, he sang on the best songs, but the general public all seem to think it was Ric Ocasek on everything.

[@timhoovermusicman]

I did too back then...

[@yvonnes3947]

I blame MTV. Ric sang in every video except for Drive, which I thought was just a one-off

[@susanhartline7539]

I'm 63 and Just realized all my favorites are sung by Ben, who is so dang handsome!! Back in the 70's and 80's, you had to buy a music magazine to see good pictures of bands. When MTV happened, I didn't have a TV. I do love YT for all the footage I get to watch and all have yet to discover.

[@Garvarino]

check out some of his solo stuff,,, incredible

[@LeeFred78]

I thought the same thing...that Ric sang all their songs. I stumbled across this video a few years ago here on YT and found out different. Lots of talent in The Cars!

[@Big_Island_Boi]

This song is still better than virtually ANYTHING on the pop or rock charts in 2024. Crazy.

[@KeikoMushi]

I generally try to avoid listening to new music because it is generally disappointing what music producers push on consumers. However, I have found bands like The Heavy and Ghost Hounds that are enjoyable listens. Just move away from the pop and popular country and the options become more tenible.

[@Big_Island_Boi]

@@KeikoMushi Certainly the basic musicianship seems to be lacking in our society today. 100 yrs ago, just about everybody played some kind of instrument, sang, etc. People didn't sit around and watch TV or surf the net... they DID things... like play music with friends, family, church members, etc. Even 40-ish years ago when I was in grade school, just about everyone was in some kind of music program or group. The band. The choir. But not so much anymore. The focus is now more on sports and test scores. One reason so many great musicians and bands have come out of Great Britain over the years is their music curricula in public schools and universities--which still values and emphasizes music... though also not as much as in the past.

[@SilverHammer1969]

​@@Big_Island_BoiYes yes, I couldn't have said it better. There really are very few if any virtuoso musicians in popular music any more. never mind the singer/songwriter. Thank God for Paul McCartney and Bob Dylan in 2024 👍🎸🥁

[@kevinkwmiller]

Ben sounds amazing! Great voice.

[@bengrimshaw4811]

Was just about to write the same. The vocals are pitch perfect here. Most modern singers would kill to sound like this live!

[@stevenchelmsford4882]

Ben Orr was gorgeous ... a beautiful voice as well ...

[@suzannezoubeck5216]

No autotune...just talent...what a concept (great song...great band). Benjamin left the planet way too soon...f#@k you cancer!!!❤☮🌎

[@DPhasely]

One of the greatest American rock bands.

[@Woody-mk6bm]

Ben at his most confident, cool and sexy. Thanks for the music. RIP Ben, you are so missed.

[@bryancuttance9547]

Rik Ocasek once said something to the effect that all their best songs were given to Benjamin to sing. Exhibit A:

[@theoriginalchefboyoboy6025]

probably my fav solo break of all time - so short, concise, so perfect...

[@frozendivots1564]

Couldn’t agree more. He has many solos that said what was needed without dragging on.

[@zookytar]

Apparently it's also incredibly technically difficult

[@surfingraichu7594]

Funnily enough my first thought when I saw the singer was “dang that’s one attractive dude, especially for the 70’s.” And ofc the comment section are 50+% people head over heels over him😂

[@MsJhook]

Man he was a rockstar

[@marieo6109]

Real music. No lip syncing. Clear in tune voice. These are real musicians.❤

[@Wooley689]

I was going to say the same thing. Nothing like todays recorded tracks and auto tune mess.

[@peabarter_3074]

I totally agree with all of the Benjamin Orr comments. He is captivating on stage, with his unique voice, stage presence, and looks. I never get tired of watching him play no matter how many times I see him. Thanks for the memories, Ben!

[@hindlewalker9330]

And l agree with you.

[@Gregc63]

Elliot Easton was such a fantastic guitarist, his live solos were spot on to the studio recordings! Clean crisp and not a missed note! He was so underrated!

[@michaelratcliff8634]

The Cars sound so "mainstream" nowadays, but back when this song broke out it was like they dropped in from another planet.

[@garyolshan4177]

what made the cars so great was easton's masterful guitar playing, and those sweet, sweet melodic leads

[@MrkB-gt5tv]

EE was brilliant. He was like their unacknowledged secret weapon. Everybody fawned over Ben and Ric, but EE's parts and playing were absolutely *crucial* for this band. Brilliant.

[@garyolshan4177]

@@MrkB-gt5tv Well said,

[@gordonquigg9389]

It's rare when everyone in a band is a genius and totally compatible for the music. Well these guys were absolute geniuses. And none of them could have done it alone. Their first two albums were absolute flawless master pieces. Every song, not one note out of place, feeds you into the next, on both albums. They blew the lid off of old rock and ushered in the new rock in 1979 and 1980.

[@mobanewman7139]

Not a miss on that first album

[@TucsonDude]

Supposedly Ric's wife (Paulina) provided financial assistance to the Cars only to be kicked to the curb.

[@beckiebuist803]

My God Ben was a beautiful creature.

[@MarinaLund]

No kidding

[@snydedon9636]

You girls need a cold shower.😂

[@Darin.Pearson]

Yup

[@Darin.Pearson]

I'm a completely heterosexual man, and I can see it clearly.

[@starlitestarbright514]

I knoooow ! ❤

[@JamesCarson-tm8df]

One of the most underrated singers ever Benjamin Orr at least they finally got their due to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame unfortunately He wasn't there RIP Ben

[@melissatyree566]

It seems like the RRHOF wants to wait until people are dead before they induct them.😢 RRH of SHAME.😠

[@johnurban7333]

When he was singing was he thinking “Man, why am I such an underrated singer”

[@KittyGrizGriz]

Gosh I can’t stand the word underrated, it’s way ‘Overrated’ in comments 💤 💤

[@johnurban7333]

Exactly what makes a singer underrated

[@ellab8897]

@@johnurban7333- I’m not fond of the overused “underrated,” either. In terms of Benjamin Orr though, an element of under recognition, thus under appreciation, is there. Even amongst fans of The Cars it’s largely unknown how many of their songs have Benjamin’s lead vocals. He seems too obscure relative to all of his talent. I don’t know as underrated is the word for it, but something seems wrong.

[@kck9742]

They were so good. Benjamin Orr was gorgeous.

[@timhalloran8337]

Ben Orr is one of those few guys like say Otis Redding (regardless of style diff) who could communicate in short stoccato notes so many different nuances within one octave or so.

[@bobthebear1246]

Same with Ric Ocasek.

[@RicRod1000]

The fact that this was sung live is very impressive. Kudos to all involved!

[@jumpinjojo]

Songs are always sung live.

[@GeoffGillDrums]

Ridiculous compared to 2023. Sounds like the frikkin album. Sick band.

[@TheRambler]

Have you ever been to a concert?

[@The_Kirk_Lazarus]

​@@jumpinjojoTell that to Don Henley.

[@intothesunset3]

​@@jumpinjojoOn most TV shows, the singing was not live, it was lip-synced. The Midnight Special was an exception.

[@Crissy991]

Ben is gorgeous ♥

[@jeffrobodeenyehcmon5925]

The 70' and 80' were magic! Kids today will NEVER know how special the music world was back then. At least they can watch video of it.

[@AmayzArt]

They'll never know how special life can be either....

[@michiganman5341]

I miss real music like this. One of my favorite bands for sure. I loved the Midnight Special!

[@Mankind_-]

I feel the same way. Thank God for video and KZbin.

[@thomasdidymus1393]

Hell Yeah!!! The Cars 🚗 were an amazing band. ONE OF A KIND!

[@johnroche7541]

The Midnight Special was magical as we saw all the best bands the world has produced at their zenith. Thank God for You Tube for these amazing clips of great bands. I think hundreds of years from now people will look at the music of the 197O's and 1980's the same way we look back at the Renaissance. The music from the 1990's to the present day is awful.

[@srothmissouri61]

@@johnroche7541I remember watching Midnight Special when David Bowie had that red or orange hair. I remember sitting there going holy sht wtf. First time I had ever seen something like that.

[@ellab8897]

@@johnroche7541- I wouldn’t go quite so far back as to when music became awful, but I agree with you.

[@girlfriday-nl9we]

Growing up, don’t think I ever appreciated what a unique sound Ben Orr had with his vocals - especially when he goes deep into his basement voice. I mean, he and the other singer sound British (kinda like Bowie) yet it’s an American band! And for some reason, I always thought of the Cars as a purely ‘80s band, didn’t remember “Just What I Needed” coming out as early as ‘78. I used to listen to Casey Kasem’s weekly Top 40 show religiously, his annual Top 100 show & often saw the Midnight Special. Maybe it took a few hit songs for the Cars to really get on my radar? There was so much great music back then, a lot of really great bands/tunes competing to stand out, but the Cars were really first-rate. Plus I was a kid and really took things for granted, there was so much great music - hard rock, pop, punk, funk, rhythm & blues, soul, the beginning of post-punk & New Wave alternative rock. I loved a lot of stuff but didn’t truly appreciate it as I do now!

[@SpiritusMundi4EVER]

Wow, thanks for your life story. How is your bowel movement? 🙄

[@joshuahenry7482]

Ben Orr, carried the rhythm and the chorus, and a beautiful bastard to boot.

[@rbtguthrie]

The Cars were huge in the 80's. Forty years later, and they are still miles ahead of the garbage that's on the radio today.

[@jeandonaldson2290]

Talented, perfectly rehearsed band, killer guitar solo and that singer has to be the most physically beautiful human being that’s ever lived.

[@shorthandable]

Well put. They must have rehearsed their asses off because there are a lot of moving parts to that song! And yes, Benjamin Orr was gorgeous! 🔥 RIP, Ben and Ric

[@torreyintahoe]

Here's to Benjamin! RIP Taken too soon. Thank you for the music!

[@MoChua]

I'm 56 and straight as a ruler, but Benjamin Orr is one good looking man.

[@Finthefish-hr8ky]

Just thinking that.

[@sombojoe]

I’m a 59 yo hetero male and I was just about to say how Goddam sexy he is! Haha

[@Finthefish-hr8ky]

@sombojoe lads, it's OK to find a guy attractive or handsome. You don't need to qualify your sexuality. It's your opinion. Valid. It's only a little gay. Besides. I was born in 66. I DON'T GIVE A FLYING FUCK WHAT PEOPLE THINK OF ME. ACTUALLY I DON'T GIVE A FLYING FUCK. LOL

[@MoChua]

@@Finthefish-hr8ky It was meant to be a joke. I could care less what people would think about me given my comment.

[@Finthefish-hr8ky]

@@MoChua X Gen woo hoo.i was being ironic

[@belindacobet8913]

Mr. Ben Orr has one of those faces that is absolutely Beautiful ❤

[@evydarling]

I can't stop watching this. He's was just so beautiful, and talented with a captivating stage presence. More importantly, he was humble and grateful for his time with The Cars. Interviewer: "Are you the sexy one, Ben?" Ben: "Hell, no!" How I wish he was with us longer! ❤

[@dinobird64]

God he was beautiful.

[@weebercorey]

Ben Orr wasn't bad either!

[@jojo6028]

Ben Orr, was probably the most beautiful cat ever in Rock and Roll next to Elvis. He looked like the male version of Deborah Harry!!!

[@weirdfishesoveryonder]

seriously though!!!

[@marcusaurelius1187]

oh that one too, Deborah Harry, gosh these people are immortal

[@demonicsweaters]

The Cars were so freaking good

[@TihetrisWeathersby]

Benjamin was supremely talented, Magical singing and vocals

[@carladams8332]

One of the GREATEST tunes ever.

[@sherry8894]

I loved this band so much! Ben Orr was such a beautiful human!!! RIP TO BEN AND RIC ❤

[@crispmom]

This is such a great song. Still a banger and sounds as fresh as it did in the 1978.

[@Lillyxxxo]

I never seen a more beautiful man in my life . A real life angel and a talented one at that

[@devrawilliams3652]

He was a stunner.

[@MatteoLC]

My wife just said the same thing… and “if he was the front man I’d probably let you listen to them in the car”

[@henrylee8510]

You haven't met me yet! Lol. Or more than likely you'd run away

[@jimstull2751]

I think he has the highest percentage of female admirers of any man who ever lived!!

[@devrawilliams3652]

@@jimstull2751 with good reason. He had many gifts.

[@melissasalvatore2831]

Oh my goodness Benjamin Orr you are one of a kind . You are a Beautiful man. R.i.p .

[@cliftongoodwin2194]

Peak Benjamin Orr captured by the great Midnight Special 🎸 🔥

[@mfactor88]

one of the best albums EVER! still playing it in my CAR

[@nycrandy]

My sister and were traveling up the coast of California I was 17. I had long hair and I had this album. We stooped at a friend of hers house where she lived with her parents and 16 year old brother. We stopped to spend the night with them. The brother and I hit it off and started to play this album. The parents asked me to leave and I had to stay in a hotel, Rock and Roll were against their religion. It was just what needed, I learned a lot about religion that day. Funny how music brings back memories

[@jmichael34]

Early this morning I drove up from Virginia to the Cleveland area to watch the total solar eclipse, but also took the opportunity for a first-time visit to Benjamin Orr's gravesite. Returning home this evening I reflected on my visit, The Cars' music, and what a truly talented and wonderful person he was. Very much missed by all.

[@craigstripling9470]

Ben WAS the voice of the Cars.

[@nondescriptbeing5944]

stellar live performance and Benjamin was beautiful

[@douglusk1627]

looking back now with perspective, I think the Cars I one of the under appreciated groups of all-time. Great songs, great vocalists , sad they are gone

[@rickrose5377]

One of the most perfect pop records ever made. In 1978, I was at the Aragon Ballroom in Chicago, waiting for Elvis Costello and the Attractions to come on. This single had recently been released and came on over the PA. The audience, already familiar with it, went up for grabs. Brilliant.

[@paulbfields8284]

Orr has to be the coolest .. so effortlessly they craft their sound.. that whole album was once important in my driving life… good times. Rest Well Benjamin

[@Jreb1865]

Ben Orr had the classic rock star "look". The hair, the clothes, the "snarl", that booming bass guitar sound. The last 30 seconds of this song sound so damned killer...

[@agtrucks]

I'm a 68-year-old straight grampa, but Benjamen Orr is an absolutely gorgeous human.

[@smokesletsgo2374]

I'm glad someone else can acknowledge this. Would I want to have sex with Ben Orr? No. Is he pleasant to look at? Yes.

[@BosworthMcG]

Bi curious grampa?

[@jimstull2751]

The accolades he gets are incredible !!

[@Pedroisanickname]

Ditto.

[@girlfriday-nl9we]

Haven’t you ever heard anyone say, “I’m straight, but he/she is drop-dead gorgeous.” ? Let the person self-identify as they will, they’re simply saying they’re capable of recognizing beauty without bias.

[@agustinguevara8054]

Benjamin Orzekowski the best of the Cars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[@rodewerk5034]

Exceptional performance by The Cars, what a wonderful era of music, thank you The Midnight Special for this exceptional collection, you rock..and roll!

[@davidnorth3411]

This is in my top 5 performances from the cars . They had everything so tight , the double down was a smoky eyed lead singer to make the girls swoon and the guys be in jealousy chains .

[@17nussbaumroad]

Ric without his signature shades ! Benjamin Orr highly underrated !! For this genre of music they are GOAT`s !!!

[@diannawalker758]

So many great memories from that show. Staying up, "sleepovers" with my best friend. I saw an interview of Ben, and he said he didn't really like doing vocals. I'm so glad he did. The songs they chose for him to sing were perfect because he sang them.

[@misterwirez7731]

OK, folks over 55, tell me if this song was on at least one of your mix tapes... Uh-huh, right? lol. The boys were good tight 5 piece. The Cars were like the bridge from the 70's to the 80's, because those two decades couldn't have been more different.

[@joeytosi]

The Cars stand the test of time. One of the best to ever rock n roll.

[@MrP19883]

Who’s listening in 2024? This song kills

[@dionware9858]

fuck yeah

[@gailbracy3813]

I kinda lose my mind!

[@President_Grover_Cleveland]

Right here brotha!!

[@NEKingdom241]

Ben was a client, Will always be listening!

[@EldritchAnomoly]

I am now convinced that I am born in the wrong generation 😂

[@xz-187]

One of the most beautifully good lookin' rocker in history, besides his across-the-pond twin Roger Taylor of Queen.

[@devrawilliams3652]

Roger Taylor isn’t as pretty as Ben

[@nhiluong9789]

Roger Taylor was cute, but Ben Orr was drop-dead gorgeous.

[@MM-vv8mt]

Ben Orr and Drive remains one of my all-time favs.

[@drivesideways6550]

The Cars were the sound track for every smokin adolescent girl that I'd have no clue what to do with, what a great band. I played the hell out of that first record when I was 10, 11, 12 years old and still absolutely love it today. Great stuff!

[@vivianmartinez5028]

Amazing voice, gorgeous man, Benjamin Orr you are greatly missed.

[@kevinbee1006]

They were just a fantastic band Benjamin Orr was a really sweet guy I have read stories about him over the years and with all the fame he just lived like a regular guy.....RIP Ben and Rick....

[@shushnow3812]

I love this song more now that I know Ben was on vocals, and I have been listening to them since I was 11 in 1980. The mainstream did not showcase Ben adequately, and Ric was focused on more. One of my favorite vocal endings to any song! Classic.

[@tubester4567]

I dont know why people are saying this, The Cars first big album was Candy-O in mid 1979 and the hit single "lets go" was played everywhere and Ben was the lead singer. Ric sang half the album songs but the big commercial hit was sung by Ben. There are videos on KZbin of Lets go being performed on TV shows like midnight special and Ben is singing it.

[@shushnow3812]

Well I was 10years old in ‘79 and not exposed to as much as older people back then until MTV.. and Ric was singing in the videos they played

[@tanyaweathersby9393]

Here I am again....crushing on Ben.....beauty and talent 😍

[@arbiehill68]

Yes a huge old lady crush here too. Doesn't get old. It makes me so very sad that he died so young.

[@aboutagirlnamedjessie]

Uhh, I love this! Benjamin is soo gorgeous! In the MTV era it seems like he was kinda pushed to the background, even on Drive you couldnt see him for all the acting going on around him. This is a perfect performance! Thank you so much for posting these super talented guys! Love this channel and seeing all of these amazing bands in their prime!

[@yvonnes3947]

Agreed! MTV videos showcased Ric Ocasek as the lead singer, and I never Benjamin Orr sang my favorite Cars song until today.

[@KittyGrizGriz]

I saw them live in ‘79 @ Arrowhead Stadium nose bleed seats. We made it down to the standing room only floor section when Cars came on (all day concert). They sounded great but never ‘saw’ them up close, figured Ric sang lead back then also. If only I’d known what Ben looked~played bass like, I’d have squirmed my way to him! 😂😅

[@erichschorr2609]

Ben Orr as good looking as we was he was very private and reserved, introverted of you will. So I don’t think he necessarily even cared about being in the background.

[@April-pw5ub]

⁠@@erichschorr2609No, he did mind as did the rest of the group. After a while Ric was in the forefront and it was part of the tension that lead to the breakup.

[@Cheri461]

I'm 60, and grew up in Boston with The Cars. Since I was never that into their music, I only saw viewed Ben briefly, with a passing "he's kinda cute", and thought Rick sang all the songs. It's only been TODAY that I realized that Ben was the voice of the songs I did like, and how damned BEAUTIFUL he was. His looks are what I'd imagined a literal Angel might look like.

[@zookytar]

This song has been one of my favorites for decades. Same opinion and knowledge of Ben until a couple days ago. Same opinion of him now! Wow!

[@AlmostReady504]

To this day, being fortunate enough to see The Cars at The Warehouse New Orleans one of the best shows I've ever seen. And I've lived alone time. Seen a lot of shows. Rest in peace Ben and Ric. God bless The Cars

[@michaelfleming528]

Benjamin Orr and Rick Ocasek were, to a lesser extent, the Lennon and McCartney of the late 70s and 80s. Their debut album was a masterpiece and was different than any new wave or punk at the time. Their harmonies were great. Their melodies were hypnotic.

[@rebeccawagner4167]

This was a night that I couldn't wait for the Midnight Special to come on. I live the Cars. My teenage years was filled with moments like this. It was great growing up in these times. I truly appreciate them.

[@knuteboy3778]

One of those bands that came roaring out the gate with a highly successful debut album.

[@Every_Day_islike_Sunday]

Yeah. We were being bombarded with disco crap at the time and they provided great relief for the masses.

[@172turtla]

Right! I was listening to The Cars last week and was sure I was listening to a greatest hits compilation.

[@KittyGrizGriz]

Their 1st two albums were fantastically great!!

[@KittyGrizGriz]

@@Every_Day_islike_Sundayaww, I loved dancing at the disco too 😊

[@Every_Day_islike_Sunday]

@@KittyGrizGriz sorry i was punk rock, anti-disco. Now that I'm old, i don't mind it so much. Glad you had fun! Those were great days.

[@taniaburns7575]

To this day the 70's and 80's has the best music