THE CARS.. UP CLOSE INTERVIEW 8/ 26/1987

[@FELIPEGARCIA-fk6zx]

THE CARS : No drama, no public scandals, no arrogance, no egos, no conflicts...THE CARS: well educated guys, intelligence, sophistication, individually well talented musicians as singers and NOBODY I mean NOBODY would be able to imitate them. They're unique, period!!.

[@winstonking5683]

The Cars and Rush ... Both are the intellectuals and gentlemen of R&R

[@cynthiariordan1046]

Well......actually there really was arrogance, ego and conflict.

[@FELIPEGARCIA-fk6zx]

@@cynthiariordan1046 All bands do but The Cars in particular behaved way better then most bands, an unique band with the right elements .

[@winstonking5683]

@@cynthiariordan1046 Really ... Though Neil Peart wrote all the lyrics and could of taken all the publishing rights the band split every cent that came in a third A third A third ... Hometown well behaved Canadian boys ... There were no egos in Rush or arrogance ... Do a little research

[@cynthiariordan1046]

@@winstonking5683 Actually, I was responding to Felipe about The Cars, where Ric Ocasek maintained a mental and PR stranglehold over the group that was at times demeaning and creatively stifling of other band members. He always spoke in terms of "I" and "me" instead of "we," and could be openly insulting of other members in interviews. Rush--on the other hand, were a totally collaborative team (regardless of who the lyricist was) who were very well-matched to one another in terms of their level of musicianship, and they totally respected one another.

[@laurelwood791]

Best band ever. Ever. Immortal legends.

[@pechejanuary5028]

Ben’s voice made up the Cars , along with the rest of the band🥰🥰

[@susanbezio6708]

9/8/47. Happy birthday Benjamin Orr 75

[@timemusic3600]

This song is a masterpiece.. It was a privilege for me to have lived in the 80's...

[@nopeandnope7398]

My all-time fave American band!!

[@bmelvin1234]

I spent the weekend listening to and appreciating The Cars. My goodness they were great! To musicians all the way around.

[@rubenurrutia9614]

PURO PINCHE CARS!!!!! 💖👑💯

[@denisem270]

Love it!!!!! Benjamin oh me oh my!!!!💥💥💥 Loved this band so much!!!!💞💞💞🚗🚗🚗🚗🚗🎶🎶🎶🎸🎶🎶🎶

[@annamariamalig6905]

This makes me sad. The Cars won't be the same as before...both vocalist are gone. RIP RIC and BEN.❤

[@nervo6321]

I am from East Yorkshire in the UK but in 1978 when i was 14 me and my friends thought the Cars were fantastic and still do 40 years on, Just what i needed was our favourite song on blue car picture disc .....happy days.....

[@willfade7994]

Thank you so much for this! The Cars remain in my top 5 favorite bands of all time. I listen to them often but with a heavy heart knowing we can never go back in time to those days. RIP Benjamin Orr and Ric Ocasek. The world still mourns the 2 legends. They will always live on in my heart until I get to Heartbeat City in Heaven where I hope to find them playing music. I still cry over Ben... God rest their souls. 🌹

[@kathygrinder3076]

I just got back from a pilgrimage to Bejamin's gravesite. Quiet little country cemetary. The tombstone does not reflect his greatness. Very small and quaint. I left him a memento, as several other people have done. Now I want to meet David Robinson and Elliot Easton. Greg too!!

[@rebeccaatkinson4531]

MINE AS WELL

[@rebeccaatkinson4531]

Yesss we do. They'll always be in our hearts and heads

[@connie5474]

This is why we need a time machine.

[@jimmylorang995]

Unique...to me...is the best adjective to use to describe The Cars. There music still sounds FRESH and UNDATED...FOREVER, MAN... I'm 56...and The Cars playing on the F.M. stations here in Michigan was a HUGE part of the memories of my youth. The Cars were fantastic songwriters which were carefully crafted. Elloit Easton is a phenomenal guitarist. His solos were well balanced and precise...a previous student of the Berklee College of Music...

[@christinachappell2620]

These guys are the 'BOMB'!!! The 80's will always be #1 with me and had I spent more time on these guys...I would have appreciated them then. It is so unfortunate for me now that I just found out, after I was looking into attending a future concert of theirs, that both lead singers are gone. I am such an idiot and a damn fool for not getting into these guys enough to realize just how super unique and talented these guys actually were. I'm so sorry and I apologize to each one of you!

[@brettbasil]

The Cars in the Door To Door era or the last cd with Ben...just really remember the day I heard they broke up when I see D2D. Heart breaking for me. Thank you for enlightening us with this great interview. BIG LIKE-- B.B.

[@lostinnevermore5354]

Panorama is my favourite. It’s very Elliot and very Greg. Always thought it was pure brilliant!!!

[@rebeccaatkinson4531]

Yup love Panorama

[@commonsense6846]

Me too!

[@weinerdog44]

We never knew what hit us, and what type of great days we were living

[@amourinaioane9633]

They we're such a Brilliant Band,love listening to there songs even more now in 2020,this interview is awesome to listern to.

[@desertrose1226]

Fantastic interview a little piece of Cars history! What a gorgeous speaking voice Benjamin had, also. I don't think Benjamin had anything bad about him!

[@zdrumrguy]

Damn

[@catmip]

Citizenthirteen wow did you know him?

[@lisabarnes7918]

Citizenthirteen I’ve read that at some point in time he did drink a lot. But he also slowed down or stopped drinking in the late nineties before he was diagnosed with cancer.

[@wvufreak56]

@@lisabarnes7918 Yes, not to judge Ben as we all made similar bad choices...but Rick once said Ben's drinking became so bad that Rick didn't enjoy traveling with him. Couple that with being a heavy smoker....that certainly didn't help . ... Ugh! RIP...Ben Orr & now Rick Ocasek 🙏

[@susanbezio1529]

Please don't judge Ben to harshly. You don't know what he was going through in his personal life. He has a hard time

[@mikereilly3636]

Thanks for posting! I miss them so much, especially Ben. I pray Move Like This wasn't their last. Sucks they hate touring so much. MLT tour was a blast!

[@TraceyL.ByeByeLvTheCars]

+Mike Reilly you're welcome

[@johncook7281]

Now we miss Ric Ocasek too.

[@catmip]

Only ric hated touring

[@unbeknownstsoul9240]

Can't believe how little they spoke to Ben.

[@jfjoubertquebec]

Seems like a common theme.

[@tangerinerose3724]

Seems Rick harboured much jealousy and resentment.

[@kansas6263]

@@tangerinerose3724 RRHOF Ric said in a joking way (paraphrasing) “if it weren’t for Ben, I would have been the good looking one” - major paraphrasing. Maybe he was joking 35 years after the fact, and Ben being gone, but at one time, we know that was his feeling. You could tell in his body language. Almost like he was in his own band, very one else in another.

[@EvansSt83]

@@kansas6263 Actually if it weren't for Ben, David Robinson would've been the cute one in the band! LOL.

[@merry8545]

I see it so different cuz Benjamin was shy and I think he was glad Ric loved to talk it took it off him 😂🤣

[@WolfRun59]

The Cars at the Universal Amphitheater when it was open under the stars! So cool. SoCal when it was still a bitchin place to live. Benjamin and Ric, I miss you guys sooooooo much

[@cynthiacardenas7122]

Thanks for posting this, Tracey. This was fun, but also bittersweet, since it must of been done not long before they broke up.

[@TraceyL.ByeByeLvTheCars]

+cynthia cardenas You're welcome :)

[@NESherv]

This interview was done six months before their breakup in February 1988.

[@sharonpolat8411]

Those guys rocked.love the band you are the girl,just whati needed,best friends girlfriend,dive in mytop5.Benjamin oh benjamin seriously palpitations xxx

[@sharonpolat8411]

Oops drive

[@desertrose1226]

Even his voice on here...mmmm...smooth, sweet, adorable...

[@bluezinnia847]

Rest in peace Rick! Miss your band! May the Angels be with you always!

[@rj11peter]

This is wonderful.

[@cookiehill1302]

Thanks Tracey, enjoyed this very much! cookie

[@alwaysknewtowearitwellfanc3650]

I actually think it took them all. Elliott/excellent lead guitar, Ric and Ben, excellent vocals. As well as the vocal backups from the other guys. Greg set a pathway with his keyboard. I can hear so many bands today use his nuances. If you can't, you may not get some of the narratives of music. I am trained in music theory and voice. I miss you two, Ric and Ben. But I know where you are. I still believe Door to Door could make great commercials. "Strap Me In" could be a great car commercial. "Fine Line" in a tv drama. So many ideas, but it's not my circus. Love you ❤ all.

[@wvufreak56]

It's 2020....and I'm just realizing how great The Cars were! Love this Band, though back in the 80's I considered them just another "New Wave" band and I refused to listen to anything then, but blues and classic rock. I truly appreciate this band and Rick's songwriting and Ben's vocals with Elliot's amazon riffs. Greg's an amazing keyboardist as well......RIP BEN & RICK.

[@nopeandnope7398]

Better later than never! ❤

[@wvufreak56]

@nopeandnope7398 Yep....I was on a lay-off a few years back and started watching some KZbin videos of the band and reading more about Ben Orr...and his unfortunate cancer diagnosis. He was not only a great vocalist but a pretty good bass player as well. The whole band was very talented...and very successful. 🙏 RIP. Ben & RIck. Gone too soon. .....

[@ajiadriano6228]

Rest in peace Ric

[@desertrose1226]

Elliott was cute too!

[@catmip]

DesertRose122 all cute in their own way

[@EdnaSilva-cx1nc]

Thanks Tracey!

[@TraceyL.ByeByeLvTheCars]

+Edna Silva you're welcome

[@cindysamaroo9127]

Ben ❤❤❤❤❤💓💓💓💓💕💕💕💗💗💗💘💝💞👊👍

[@bobquack1]

Ric I think had the best speaking voice for radio. His voice has that deep quality.

[@ralphsarcello3085]

anyone know what that first song is on the opening of the video dow dow dow

[@TraceyL.ByeByeLvTheCars]

Hello Again

[@drumminsonlive9199]

That was great! Thanks!

[@Sol_Cabbie]

The Cars were awesome like Duran Duran

[@ericalicous74]

I thought I knew this band, damn there are a few songs I never knew was the Cars. I'm so stupid

[@ghosttgirlghosttspook5478]

one hot group!!

[@ghosttgirlghosttspook5478]

the drummer is so hot, Ben and the drummer,OMG!!

[@saraheart2804]

David Robinson.

[@JohnnyMacalvee-cf7et]

+ghostt girl ghostt spook - You funny. Super talented band.

[@carsfan-uy6hd]

another funny interview please dont take this off.

[@TraceyL.ByeByeLvTheCars]

+carsfan1993 No plans on taking it off

[@stevewilson3793]

Geez, it boggles the mind when you think about at the time The Cars and Boston wrre both struggling to make it happen at the same time in 1976 in the same place, they almost didnt. The record guys if I recall said the Cars were just too weird looking,yeah shows what they knew about the emerging New Wave scene or the current punk scene. And Boston was just told, we dont think anyone would buy it. Yeah makes you wonder how may be music scouting may be just a complete sham? Boston took to the scout the complete and finished Boston debut album that absolutely needed nothing but promotion, passed on it. If I was a record exec, I would have fired that guy. When either of those bands put out a new album,it was like a greatest hits album for other bands. They were hits factories. I think the bands that are the best and most unique, are the ones most resistant to music industry influence.

[@TraceyL.ByeByeLvTheCars]

Thank you for this, Steve.. I love Boston too. Brad had an amazing voice. The whole band and sound is incredible.

[@sararichmond8476]

Greg is such a little duck! ❤️💛💙💘💝

[@lauramayfield5410]

The date of this interview was my 18th birthday!

[@heathermorrow4084]

interesting

[@monicasaluzzi487]

❤❤❤❤❤

[@Gojosaturo614]

Good info. However, annoying that the narrator sets up a song and THEN SKIPS IT, or only plays a few notes and then on to something else..... okay to listen to, if you have attention deficit disorder, you may not even notice!!!

[@willfade7994]

I agree. That drove me nuts! It may have been a copyright issue.

[@iwantthe80sback59]

@@willfade7994 Yup. Copyright kicks in after 4 or 8 bars (sorry, I forget which).

[@rebeccaatkinson4531]

Yeah that annoyed me also

[@BenCulture]

Thank you, +Tracey L. I'm glad "Tonight She Comes" wasn't on _This Side of Paradise._ I don't think it's a great song. Elliot Easton's solo seems to be the best and most-popular thing about it. Come to think of it, I wish "True to You" had been an official Cars song, since every band member except David Robinson is on it. If Ric had put that song on _The Cars Greatest Hits_ along with "Tonight She Comes", it would have improved both albums.

[@BenCulture]

Ben Culture Did they completely forget Elliot Easton's solo album _Change No Change_? I think that was recorded while they were still working on _Heartbeat City,_ but it wasn't released until 1985. It's the best non-Ocasek Cars-solo album IMO.

[@waltermirren7957]

+Ben Culture I do not think Elliot ever played a bad note - even when The Cars were in decline. Still, a great band.

[@davidbalzano7025]

I guess if Door to Door would have included Emotion in Motion, True to You and Stay the Night and other good songs from The Lace, it would have sold better, had more hits and they would have stayed together longer...Then again, it's easy to play Monday morning quarterback and as it was Door to Door did have many quality cuts, just not the big hits that Heartbeat City had.

[@johncook7281]

Pop goes the Music. Door to door tour.

[@OttoByOgraffey]

18 minute long hour and a half video.

[@FELIPEGARCIA-fk6zx]

Tracey L..If you're The Cars #1 FAN well I guess Im taking #2 FAN.

[@iwantthe80sback59]

Guess that makes me The Cars #3 FAN. lol.

[@jnbennett6496]

there first 2 album were great, after that they were commercialized

[@zenpaganwarrior]

Their third album, Panorama, was definitely NOT commercialized! No real radio hits on that one, and only one semi-"hit," Touch and Go.

[@willfade7994]

Not true! Get your facts straight.

[@winstonking5683]

I agree ... The first two albums were what made them .... After those albums I think they wrote with the changing times as the 80s ushered in a new sound

[@rebeccaatkinson4531]

NOT TRUE

[@truckinforjesus]

@@winstonking5683 I agree. If the lifespan of a band is long enough, they have to evolve to some degree.

[@marys3127]

I think Rik had Marfan’s Syndrome. Taken too soon like Ben Orr.

[@anniefannycharles9951]

@MW Thankyou for that information.

[@rebeccaatkinson4531]

What is Marfans syndrome

[@rebeccaatkinson4531]

Just like the Beatles. They should have stayed together to bad Ben and Ric died to bad John and George died

[@victordanielconsuelokatate3725]

Consuelo te amo daniel te amo

[@rolfhoffmann4294]

APPLESAUCE

[@th23461asdc]

Rick was jealous and a liar! He was always jealous of Ben!