The Cars: Rock Goes to College (full show + encores)

[@donnasweetpurplejune6335]

You can read more information about this fabulous performance here: sweetpurplejune.wordpress.com/2016/06/28/thank-god-its-free-rock-goes-to-college/

[@trumancapote-jm7fc]

Gracias Donna por compartir este increíble material y mil gracias por tu blog! Es realmente maravilloso el amor que has puesto en recopilar todo ese material de mis amados Ben y The Cars.

[@DrNick1960]

Fantastic blog Donna - loving all the info You're absolutely correct, BTW - the security team got hold of the beer-thrower and "invited him to leave" shortly afterwards!!

[@theodorecathey-dy4sp]

Easton is a badass guitar player. Straight up.

[@thegreenbird795]

one of the best

[@donreed]

11/16/24: Time has enhanced the pleasure of listening to The Cars.

[@DrNick1960]

Whoever was the t*ss*r who shouted "Thank God It's Free" at 33:10 - he must have lived to eat those words!! I was at this gig and it still stands out in my mind as one of the best EVER concerts I have been to over the years!!

[@WavyMidnight]

Wow, lucky! This was the best - more intimate setting. I saw them in October 1978. They opened for Styx and played after Angel. Huge venue really took away from the experience. That guy yelling that is probably bragging now about seeing them back then, ha!

[@richardpascual5491]

​@@WavyMidnight i loved The Cars from the get go, i live in the Bay Area, Ca. i went to see them open for Styx in Oakland Coliseum, a big venue also, but they had a huge sound, big fan ever since, seen them in NYC @MSG, then US Festival...

[@WavyMidnight]

I was there! Do you have any photos? I saw a lot of shows there but we couldn't take in cameras and staff was strict: Flashlight in your face "Get back to your seat!" haha@@richardpascual5491

[@WavyMidnight]

That's awesome. Would have loved to have seen them in different venues.@@richardpascual5491

[@stephanie4020]

That’s awesome. You’re a part of history. 💜

[@annacannon2959]

I'm addicted to The Cars!! This video is a priceless treasure for the world to witness real talent without autotune! This band brought the future of music! They deserved to be in the RRHF!! Real class!!

[@youaskedtarot]

I never grow tired of these guys. Even after 40+ years of listening.

[@marcuskeulertz5852]

I like all this Post Punk/New Wave bands. Better than most of the nowadays music

[@RetiredinKorea8587]

I agree, never get tired of hearing the CARS songs, 40 some years. I remember first time hearing the debut and CANDY O at friends house as a young teenager. 59 now. HA!

[@klausrain111]

I saw an interview with the great Elliot Easton where he said he used to work out his lead solos in rehearsal by singing them to himself. Now I understand why he opens and closes his mouth like that when he's doing one of his solos.😂He's one of the best in rock history!😮

[@WavyMidnight]

I love that about Elliot! We all love Ben, and not complaining about how much camera time he got, but wanted to see more of Elliot. Especially the guitar solos and build ups. I also love his and Ben's interactions. So good.

[@jamierussell-satterfield8443]

OMG!!! Benjamin’s LOOK during Bye Bye Love - when he wanted to get someone…. I swear the most intoxicating LOOK ever!!! Not to mention Earth Shattering….and I’m not kidding….I actually had an earthquake notification from my part of the Country as Benjamin sang away! Benjamin…you’re Still shaking things up…and you always will…Sweet Angel. ❤❤

[@WavyMidnight]

Haha, love this!

[@Dick_Weapon]

God yes! I've played that bit over and over--makes my heart pound...❤

[@LisaNess-w4y]

Awww ❤🎉

[@LisaNess-w4y]

I have never been attracted to blond males but this man...gets me every time. He's just smoking hot. Miss him every day 💖😻

[@jondunmore4268]

Benjamin Orr is like Roger Taylor's lost good-looking twin.

[@jl6714]

You know why I love Ben, other than the fact that he was talented and very easy on the eyed..it’s because his eyes smile.. this is very rare!..

[@WavyMidnight]

Especially during All Mixed Up. His mannerisms were the best!

[@dean9498]

I never really realized how good a player Elliot Easton was until I tried to learn some of his parts. He really is a great guitar player.

[@WavyMidnight]

He's amazing!

[@BryanBguitar]

What is even more amazing about his playing is that he started out as a right handed player and learned to play left handed and switched over later in life! As a guitar player myself that blows my mind and may be the most impressive thing I have ever heard in the rock and roll world!!

[@WavyMidnight]

I'm confused because I read that also but then I saw a doc on him that showed him at a young age playing left-handed. It mentioned at 8-10 years old he played a right-handed guitar turned upside down.@@BryanBguitar

[@markfromct2]

Agreed Mr. Dean Did you see the Van Hallen fingering?

[@DanM-ys5pz]

Totally agree. Also Ric Ocasek doesn't get enough credit for his excellent rhythm guitar work.

[@pedrovaldiviezo8287]

29:21 Ben - "I'm gonna get you 😤" Random guy in audience - " 😧 "

[@michelejoerres4165]

I think actually it was a girl maybe? Cause he smiles right before. ;)

[@ilovegaga11]

@@michelejoerres4165very lucky girl if so 🥵

[@romin5035]

That segue from Moving In Stereo to All Mixed Up is so damn good. Benjamin Orr’s live vocals were unbelievable.

[@josefinagarza241]

Audience rude throwing stuff😮

[@thaddpresley]

the keyboard player is 26 years old in this video. He was born in 1952. unbelievable how young he looks.

[@WavyMidnight]

They all did. Ric and Ben were in their 30s when they hit big. Miss them.

[@carollee6963]

He's very talented too, just like every member of The Cars!!

[@tracyhall6195]

Greg Hawkes ! 😃 🎹 🏆!

[@patrashdigger]

DEFINITELY the best version of Bye Bye love! With Ben telling someone in the audience that he's going to get him and Ben singing this song with great attitude, it just great

[@klausrain111]

Sorry but I missed the part where Ben tells someone in the audience he's going to get him. Just as well that he didn't get the chance, British audiences don't take a lot of shit, especially from American bands.😅

[@WavyMidnight]

Psh. Ben wasn't the aggressor here. Someone threw a drink at him. Orr stayed professional and chill at the same time - did his job perhaps better than he's ever done. The whole band, brilliant! @@klausrain111

[@stephennetherton9818]

My favorite band

[@quakers200]

How to put that much into bye bye love and still play an amazing bass part at the same time I can't see how it's done.

[@janetaldrich7747]

​@@klausrain111Ben was in the Army and had already fought off an armed attacker when he was younger. He could take care of himself

[@margaretgehler9580]

Here to show David Robinson massive praise. So consistently good.

[@WavyMidnight]

Not enough coverage in videos that's for sure!

[@jamesrockland9616]

FUCK MAN, so MANY other contenders, but i've decided at the Candy-O mark that CARS is my "all time fav" and "best all round" band ever... it's got everything a musical ear can ever ask for, perfect (not over the top) solos, terrific vocals by both members, exquisite musicianship and chemistry among the players, and a "feeling" or "vibe" that brings nothing but auditory joy

[@julenepegher6999]

I Love the Cars❤ and your Comment. 👏

[@patrashdigger]

I would love to see this sold on DVD! These people in the audience have no idea what greatness they are witnessing! These 5 musicians complimented each other like I never seen in any other band, to get two great singers in Ben and Ric in one group is totally awesome and this is why the Cars will always stand the test of time

[@karenstoddard8278]

In 1977 I was 16 and thought Ian of the Bay City Rollers was the cutest guy ever 😅 Jump forward a year and I saw Benjamin Orr for the first time, looking and sounding as only he could. It was game over for me. There isn’t a sexier bass player living or dead. He can be 30 or 50 or somewhere in between…I appreciate his talent even more now than I did back in the day. Thank you , Donna for sharing all that you have of The Cars and especially Benjamin. ♥️. This is my favorite show that I’ve watched on YT. Like so many others have said-wish there was a time machine back to late 70’s 😊

[@josefinagarza241]

Excellent, thank you

[@stephanie4020]

Karen - I was born in 1977, but I understand this. I have loved the Cars ever since I first heard their music as a child, but it wasn’t until I studied the group and its members that my appreciation for their work truly deepened, and I have beaten myself up over it, particularly because we have already lost Ben and Ric. The Cars were so far ahead of their time, they invented 80s music in the late 70s.

[@karenstoddard8278]

@@stephanie4020 They were remarkable, right? Even now, 40+ years later, their music still holds up. No one like them

[@stephanie4020]

@@karenstoddard8278Absolutely. They’re timeless. 💜

[@marjoriemorse9229]

I wanna go back!

[@rexxengineering8333]

Check out Elliot’s solo in Nights Spots just before the 26:00 mark. The whole solo is tapped and this is just 9 months after Van Halen’s first album came out. Elliot is amazing!

[@dbarbour8352]

So Eddie Van Halen did the tapping before Elliot’s work on the “Nightspots” solo?

[@cigarmerchant2238]

More like Steve Hackett and Jeff Beck were tapping way before Elliot or Eddie...

[@BobSchaar]

@@cigarmerchant2238 ...and Randy Bachman quite possibly before Beck.

[@bushbeachlifestyle6721]

33:10 "thank God it's free" that FLOG should've been thrown out on the spot hahahahahaha unbelievable!

[@jeffreyhoehn9307]

Elliot Easton is on fire during My Best Friend’s Girlfriend.

[@Dick_Weapon]

And Bye Bye Love!

[@DanM-ys5pz]

One of my favorite Easton solos as well. It's almost like he's channeling Don Rich from the Buck Owen's Buckeroos. To throw country style guitar work into a completely different genre like The Cars was genius level.

[@johnoconnor998]

Just wanted to say thank you. Grew up in the Boston Mass area, but in 77 moved to New York (about an hour north of NYC). I would constantly go back to the Boston area. A local radio station was playing this music and I thought it was real good. The Cars were the group and they had no albums out yet, but WBCN in Boston played them. When the album came out I was back in NY and I had to be one of the first people to buy it where I did.

[@wallynowacki6704]

Bye Bye Love. Such a good song from the 80s.

[@aschneider70]

The best band who mixed 70s and 80s ever. In my teens in the 80s we were crazy about them. Ben Orr was a rockstar and he knew it - and what a voice! Elliot was a master guitarist, one of the best American guitar player ever. Rick a mastermind and a fabulous songwriter. Hawk was ages ahead with his keyboards and Robinson was a real powerhouse.

[@dannybailey4893]

Listening to each distinctive creative power within this band come together for a definitive lesson in technique and talent. From the spot on lead guitar of Elliot Easton to Greg Hawkes' innovative keyboards there was always the mystique of the two similar sounding lead vocalists who could sing about life in surreal yet profound terms while posturing a very punk attitude without the rebellious overtones. Simply put...this band and this album were and always will be a part of me on a very visceral level. #RIP Ric Ocasek #RIP Benjamin Orr #Rock Legends

[@donnasweetpurplejune6335]

Perfectly stated!

[@analogkid4957]

Beautifully worded. This band encapsulated the unique new wave sound of the late 1970’s. I especially love the pulse of Greg Hawkes synth underlying “ Let the good times roll.”

[@stephanie4020]

Thank you for being articulate enough to be able to put my thoughts into words. 💜

[@davidherringgo]

Thank goodness 🙏 for Y.T. ❤️ this footage of The Cars.

[@sheilaa6628]

The best! Ben's beautiful voice. Blinking those eyes. I finally saw the bottle fly by on another video.

[@WavyMidnight]

Yes, during Bye Bye Love. That whole episode. Ben was so chill. Read that security 'removed' the guy. Nice.

[@mksland3884]

Damn they were so good live!

[@josefinagarza241]

Amazing ❤

[@marksoquet8626]

14:32; my favorite song of theirs...

[@44kickinit]

Love Ben’s smile during “All Mixed Up” starting at 22:51. And Greg kills it on the sax!

[@tamparocks]

My favorite song😢

[@janetaldrich7747]

He had such a sweet smile ...

[@mobergeron4898]

Best song

[@willfade7994]

Great show but that prick in the audience should’ve been kicked out of there. Whoever he is, he was unbelievably rude. Long live The Cars! Thank you for sharing this here. 👏

[@danielpresson7263]

Cars Fans - you've got to check out a trio from 1972 named "Milkwood" - 1 album named "How's the Weather" - It's Ric and Ben before The Cars - vocals amazing and Ric's guitar is amazing - different vibe, a bit CSN, but every song is incredible

[@Matt-oy7pz]

The 🚘 CARS.. at their peak.

[@williammawley9744]

I am older now, but I still let the good times roll!!

[@joanRooney-x8j]

I'm 74 this year & have got it bad for the Cars! Rock- n-roll never dies....😊

[@marcuskeulertz5852]

I like those intimate concerts, instead of massive audiences in stadiums.

[@michellewells1456]

1978 Ben Orr, the epitome of cool to this very day

[@tracyhall6195]

Play on, BENJAMIN !! 🎸 28:48 ! 😍 💙 🙏

[@seeyoug5193]

Benjamin ORR NADIE LO SUPERA EN 2023 FOREVER❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@TheBlocklandPlayer]

They Were So Cute. Workman Loved Them So Much

[@djohnson3022]

Love it Finally getting to see them perform. ❤

[@mikemacdonald3160]

Damn this is a great video. I got tickets in 1978 to see Styx in Flagstaff Arizona, the warm-up band was The Cars. (Who are they). LOL.. They were unbelievable. They were so so fricken good. I miss the bands from the 70's and 80's.

[@humanchannel7825]

They’re fine but they stand too still

[@WavyMidnight]

I saw that tour also. SF Bay Area. Went mainly to see The Cars. Yes, so good!

[@BobSchaar]

@@humanchannel7825 Where does it say that jumping around is required to make good music? If you want jumping around, go to a ballet.

[@Karen.cook424]

Every time I watch this I think, “those disrespectful blokes in the audience”….it infuriates me😡

[@joanRooney-x8j]

Me too! I bet the band couldn't wait to get the hell out of the place. The band acted with dignity & professionalism. Those dumb hecklers are everything that's wrong in our world!

[@kjack4712]

Best band ever.

[@DAVYMAC]

Cars lead guitarist is very tasteful. Succinct with barely a wasted note!

[@jfboomerang1310]

What a great band.

[@frankb1686]

What a complete lineup,cant say who adds the most to the band.they could have left "im in touch with your world" off their setlist So many better tunes."bye bye love" 28:38 Is such a well-rounded tune and my favorite from this show.

[@janetaldrich7747]

If you watch the Musikladen concert, "I'm in touch with your world" was a highlight, not least because of Ben's sultry intro and Greg "the human sound effect" Hawkes.

[@denisem270]

Candy - ooooo I need you soooo!!!!!!💞💞💞 Benjamin was such a hottie!!!!🔥🔥🔥

[@ellzedd4113]

Look how young they are. They came to a college near me but i was too young to get in. My cousins said the crowd was crazy for them. These people need to be checked for a pulse. I did see them in 87.

[@DoctorD250]

What a great set. One for the ages.

[@jaredbracci3529]

Thank you for posting the whole show! Little did England know… the real originators of New Wave were ready to take over😊

[@kimhannan4892]

Just love, love, love this concert...I listen to it frequently because it's just so good!!! And I have a special place in my heart for Hotel Queenie..." ...when did you catch up to the sky..." Absolutely love it!!!!!!!!!

[@ladystrange7791]

This is one I listen to/watch frequently as I’m trying to go to sleep….something about it is so calming, even on the fast numbers. Probably also has a great deal who do with Ben & Elliot…my favorites…who couldn’t have sweet dreams watching them before closing the eyes?!?!? ✨🎸❤🎸✨This is wonderful Donna, never saw the encore, thank you!!!!

[@vapeshop2351]

What a night that must of been

[@julenepegher6999]

A “Sweet Treat” this Easter wknd. Thank you! I LOVE the Cars and this concert! And Ben, “Every girl’s crazy ‘bout a sharp dressed man.”

[@WavyMidnight]

"Firetruck Red pants" was one description I read, ha!

[@monickalynn4365]

Damn, when I first heard The Cars it was around the You Might Think time period. Was discovering metal then like J.Priest and Metallica at around 12,13 so The Cars were a no-no to budding metalheads,LOL. This video schooled me: The Cars ROCK,and were massively talented. It's crazy what we dismiss when so young. Better late than never,right?

[@michaelrischbieter3678]

I love that look at 12:00 that Benjamin Orr gives to the camera...so cool somehow..like he was looking at you personally!! I really appreciate these early concerts....they were so raw and the sound so unfiltered and pure. The interaction between Elliot and Benjamin were also just so great to see. Thanks SO much for posing these, Donna Sweetpurplejune!! I wish I could get these in a format could put on an iPod!!

[@janetaldrich7747]

Love the smile between Ben and Elliot around 7:05.

[@BigRedJonson]

Absolutely brilliant live performance. June 6, 2022 was the 44th anniversary of the release of their debut album "The Cars", which introduced a brand new genre of music - "New Wave" - and opened the door for early new wave artists like Blondie, The Pretenders, The Police and Talking Heads. It's hard to believe New Wave is 44 years-old. Rest in peace Benjamin Orr and Ric Ocasek. Thanks for the music & thanks for the memories! Thanks for posting :^)

[@donnasweetpurplejune6335]

The setlist: 0:01 Just What I Needed 3:06 Good Times Roll 6:45 I’m in Touch with Your World 10:35 My Best Friend’s Girl 14:37 Moving In Stereo 19:52 All Mixed Up 24:25 Night Spots 28:38 Bye Bye Love 33:10 Don’t Cha Stop 36:51 You’re All I’ve Got Tonight 41:14 Candy-O 44:00 Hotel Queenie

[@josefinagarza241]

I love when someone posts songs,names❤

[@josefinagarza241]

Killer keyboards,it makes the "unique " sound❤

[@marklarose8600]

your all ive got gtonight

[@vandalorianvandalorian4769]

Dave, Greg, Elliot, Ben and Ric are spectacular are the Fathers of New Wave!

[@matthewwalsh6795]

Thank you for posting the full show. I have been studying this show for our new Cars tribute band that was supposed to debut this month. Hopefully soon. Be well everyone.

[@rockinricky4855]

Benjamin Orr😍😍😍😍

[@caryetch]

What a treat. What a time. What a band. Bravo.

[@kathebowler3946]

love

[@evelone5181]

always out the window when it comes to making dreams

[@kathebowler3946]

raw, vulnerable,and rockin", long live The Cars!

[@analiajimenalopez4666]

La voz tan hermosa de Benjamin Orr

[@roberttenuto5301]

Just dam awesome

[@LittleMissIssues]

HOly cow !!! It happens sometimes - goosebumps jump off my skin when he sings those opening lines of Moving in Stereo! omg it just happened......LLlloooooooovvvvvvveeeeeeeeeeee

[@Sanity-sv1gm]

Donna - you rock. Adding the encore footage is just brilliant!! "When did you catch up to the sky.." That delivery. Oh my!!!!! Thanks for keeping the love alive.

[@LisaNess-w4y]

Saving this gem for laters.... damn they were sooo good and tight. The punks in England didn't know what to do with that talent, it was threatening.

[@karenduell4620]

First Musikladen, now this! You've done it again Donna, thank you so much!

[@denisem270]

Bye bye love freakin incredible!!!! Loveeee loveeeeee loveeeee it!!!!! My absolute favorite from Benjamin Loveeee him forever💞💞💞😇😘😘😘

[@7flag]

Wow! So good!

[@gimenaspagnuolo9983]

What a perfomance!! lo mejor

[@edzcutie72]

I super love this ❤

[@brgreg8725]

The perfect debut album LIVE!!!

[@deniseferraccioli6083]

Thanks so much for posting, I thoroughly enjoyed watching this tonight in the midst of this difficult time. Such a fab band, an amazing mix of talent and that Benjamin is so dreamy...and that voice of his 💗 I had forgotten how much I love that song "Night Spots"... a great cruising around tune. They look like they're having a blast playing it here! Their music was the soundtrack to my high school days. I gotta say, "Moving in Stereo" is still such a cool tune. Loving your blog too right now Donna SweetPurpleJune. Hugs from 🇨🇦 Stay well and be safe.

[@denisem270]

Loveeeeed this sooooo much!!!!! Thanks Donna you rock!!!!!! Best band ever ever ever!!!! 💞💞💞🔥🔥🔥🚗🚗🚗🚗🚗🎸🎶🎶🎶 Loved Benjamin's smile!!!!💞💞💞🔥🔥🔥😍😍😍 It's an orangey sky always with some other guy it's just a broken lullaby Bye bye love!!!!❤️❤️❤️ Loveeeeeee this song!!!!!!!❣️❣️❣️

[@kimhannan4892]

Hotel Queenie, how I love you...must be the lefty playing lead guitar...amazing!!! Thanks Donna!

[@donnasweetpurplejune6335]

EE definitely brings the fireworks!!

[@franciscosiscapmass1449]

I saw them at Massasoit College in Brockton, MA the week before the first album came out. They played My Best Friend's Girl at the beginning of the first set and at the end of the second set. I thought that was going to be the first single. They were SO good and I got silly drunk. 1978

[@andrewweber2010]

Before reading your article about this show, I always wondered about the things you covered in it: The disinterested audience, Benjamin mouthing those words, and the cameraman's obsession with David Robinson's triangle (Or lack of interest in doing his job). Thanks for posting AND adding the "encores." Great.

[@benforrever2438]

I love this show but had never seen or heard the encores before! What an exciting and fabulous surprise Donna! Thank you for even more of this delicious treat for the eyes, ears and heart!

[@alaskiss848]

Clearly, Benjamin Orr was the dominant force of the band in those days. I think Ric pushed Ben to the background during the Heartbeat City era.

[@denisem270]

Loveeeeee Loveeeeee loveeeeeee it!!!!!!!!!!!!!💖💖💖 Spectacular band!!!!!!👍👍😍💕💕💕🎸🎶🎶🎶😘😘😘 I will loveeeeee the cars forver

[@gmooney1149]

Memories of calling into my local station requesting Let's Go, only to be told that we don't play "new wave". They did eventually.

[@jimdevon9550]

Saw the Cars and a number of other bands in the 70s at Rock Goes to College events. Students Ents was very independent from unis then and many talented bands and young promoters had a great stage.

[@donnasweetpurplejune6335]

Awesome, Jim! I'd love to hear whatever you remember about The Cars' show. Feel free to email me at [e-mail].

[@mollybell5779]

Great great GREAT live show, I've watched it umpteen times, and I'm so happy that this recording exists. Gotta say, though, it's just gross how the commercials pop up mid-song. It would be so much nicer for the commercials to play in between the songs. 😕

[@tracyhall6195]

ELLIOT E. ! 🎸 .. In the RAW !! 😃 ☺️ 37:54 39:04 32:00 !

[@robinshepard4571]

❤❤❤❤❤❤❤ Cars 🎸🌹🇺🇸

[@Hashas4477]

Perfect pick me up today!!

[@jamesrockland9616]

"thank God it's free" yells a typically sarcastic brit in the audience on the 33:49 mark.... i wonder, did this individual realize that night how privileged he was? aight, someone give me a definition of pleasure... this show, the music, the band members, the electrifying audience (lol), i'm sitting here starting 2024 with this video/soundtrack and i implore the gods for it to be a year full of the ONE TRUE PURELY GOOD on this earth (music)

[@josefinagarza241]

He should of just left, his loss.

[@kimhannan4892]

If I haven't mentioned it lately...thanks so much for including the encores. I live for Hotel Queenie...and, of course, the boys don't disappoint!! Thanks again!

[@Buc_Stops_Here]

I saw them once in concert, and then also, on the encore Ben Orr sang. I wonder if that was a regular thing for the Cars back in the day? Did Ben Orr normally sing the encore? He had a great voice of course.

[@stephennetherton9818]

New Wave Rock!

[@robertblackwell5575]

Bye Bye Love...Straight 🔥

[@lastzeen]

Oh my, this is so good. Thank you for posting this.

[@lettybastien4624]

Thanks for the time stamps in the description.

[@luciafortunata8639]

O The Cars é simplesmente o máximo pena que acabou ainda bem que as gravações para a gente matar a saudade e cuitir obrigada por postar pra nós fãs saudosos

[@LittleMissIssues]

It's these amazing shows that really makes me want to time travel!!! I think of it every time~!!! I was 12 when this was happening but already loved them when they came out and switched from guitar to bass because of Benjamin! ha! I also wore this outfit he has on in this performance! I still have red pants and wear a white shirt with the vest in homage to him..... LOVE him and the Cars forevs and evs!!! xoxoxo I have made a few fun little fan girl videos from the pics & gifs I have saved! I love making them and watching everyone else's too! THank you for all you do! xoxox

[@gardenia81]

Thank you! It’s awesome to see the full show!