Moving in Stereo - The Cars | The Midnight Special

[@ejsmith10]

RIP Benjamin Orr and Ric Ocasek

[@jaamdunk]

These guys essentially made the band rock.

[@Bensonvideos44]

@@jaamdunk Don't forget Greg Hawkes; keyboard player. The Cars - the Cars album manages to marry guitar and keyboard in a way few other bands do. It was a real backbone to their sound.

[@Fat12219]

Ric Ocasek 😮

[@rainbowwoo]

moving in stereo sounds so futuristic

[@whollymindless]

... and so wrong in mono.

[@terryhennessy4980]

It does and it's dreamy in an eerie way ❤

[@doktormcnasty]

@@whollymindless until you realize they managed to Stereo in mono.

[@christophercrowder872]

At a time when pretty much every other program just had bands lip synching to the single(s) on the radio, Midnight Special was amassing a priceless archive of actual live performances. I, for one, am grateful for that.

[@Mike-rm1lb]

Top quality hd recordings too.

[@TheZappawizard]

Actually around this time a good bit of the performances on midnight special were lip sync, just check out REO Speedwagon or Supertramp

[@KittyGrizGriz]

@@TheZappawizardYep!

[@crissrudd4554]

@@TheZappawizard and Journey

[@DonMac3K]

Yeah, The Midnight Special allowed more and more exceptions to their live performance policy in the show's final few seasons.

[@conmolBry3]

Benjamin Orr made every Cars song he had sung on just the best.

[@caroljordan6130]

❤I LOVE BEN ORR'S VOICE 👍🎶☮️

[@richardwarfordjr.5622]

His solo albums too

[@bryanpritchett]

Raw charisma.

[@kumaranvij]

"Sang" is past tense of "sing."

[@LMBrown3900]

@@richardwarfordjr.5622Not familiar with them. Guess I have some research to do! Thanks!

[@b-r0llblog510]

When you realize being 50+ years old that you had the best last youth there will ever be.

[@Mttmkk]

Mine was cool, I'm 34

[@YvonneMobley-uq1tl]

FUCKIN A

[@ranchokitty1]

@@Mttmkk everyone's youth was cool! even todays, but those 1970s were something else, like a dream. Better food (McD and Taco Bell were very good), better music (by far) better films and Oh, those drive-ins movies!

[@MArellano65]

Youth is youth, fair enough! Your world is a playground, but the culture, the people, the music and the movies set us apart in an unimaginable way! We werent angry. Everyone mattered and the politicians weren't so far gone yet! We all had a choice and a chance to be free! Now, we are enslaved and most have no idea? Men were men, women were women and there are still only two genders! We are not confused! The USof A was a beloved nation with a couple of hiccups! Now. We are the laughing stock of the world!

[@ranchokitty1]

@@MArellano65 Yeah that's what I meant to say.

[@RodeWerk-Rw]

The Cars were an insanely good band with the most unique sound. Thank you, The Midnight Special,

[@mekugi]

Orr was awesome. This is an incredible live performance. Wow!

[@davebrown4841]

Smoked a lot of pot listening to the Cars back in the day.

[@overthehilldill3626]

​@@davebrown4841my saying was it's 420 somewhere.

[@ohioguy215]

@@overthehilldill3626 👍 Now THAT'S a positive attitude!

[@paulvon2378]

proper American rock in roll band from Boston, MA.

[@leftybass5860]

I was in high school when the first album came out. We’d never heard anything like it before. It was like rock music from outer space. It was the 80’s before it was the 80’s.

[@4saken404]

Yeah I thought this song came out in the 80's. I was shocked to find out it was in 1979!

[@I_Fight_Instacart]

People always group music by the decade, but it would probably make more sense to group it by the artists or inventions that prompted the shifts. Van Halen changed everything in '78, and we got hair metal. Keyboards hit their full stride around '82 or '83, and we got all the new wave and techno stuff. But just throwing it all into decade bins is easier, as if everything changes on January first.

[@ellab8897]

@@4saken404- 'Moving In Stereo' is from the debut album of The Cars, released in 1978. As @leftybass5860 pointed out, it's like The Cars began '80s music before the 1980s.

[@thebigjimmyd]

Interesting. I was high in school when I first heard this. ;)

[@Moemoney32]

That’s what I always say. Ahead of their time 👍

[@markt4605]

The Cars first album was a breath of fresh air. This song was quite a leap in progressive music. Loved it as a 15 year old and it still holds up today.

[@Lerch-zc3ww]

Thats what I loved about them...'prog', but still rock n roll.....rip.....

[@richfisher4203]

My first cassette tape back in the late seventies was this

[@Rean-the-Bean]

Great memories

[@alteredbeast1974]

I agree, they were ahead of their time, and ahead of almost everyone else..... awesome performance here, and actually live too

[@jandinki]

You’re the same age as me! I could have written this

[@animemanganet]

If I could have changed one thing about my youth it would have been to go to more concerts. Life is short people.

[@tangocharlie9291]

Amen! Making up for lost time, though. 👍🏼

[@jasona5806]

Tru dat

[@terryhuebner877]

My first conceret was Kiss in 1976 and Bob Seger opened up for them, (What a match that was) I never missed a concert after that. Of course tickets were very resonable back then. I remember almost not going to see ZZ Top on New Years Eve because the tickets were $8.50 can you believe that. of course i only made $2.20 an hour back then.

[@elvisjordan5137]

​@@terryhuebner877I went to see KISS in 1990...& concert Tix were still only $15. Nobody would be able to fathom that these days! Today it almost seems like you'd have to sell ur 1st newborn child to goto a damn concert.lol I feel very grateful to have lived during the greatest time in history for music.

[@murraymiller4321]

Amen brother …amen❤

[@Alnava-ml3wn]

If you’re in your 50s and you’re still alive listening to good music I congratulate you.

[@davidessenberg471]

How about the 60s . First Consert. The Cars 1979. Cobo Hall Detroit mi.

[@patricklamb130]

70s 😎

[@tommcqueen2840]

70's here. Still listening. Ears shot.

[@kelseymariel2127]

12 years old in 78 when I ran out to get that first Cars album. 58 now. Still love all this stuff.

[@joanRooney-x8j]

Try 70's! :)

[@TimEric4d3d3d3]

Phoebe Cates totally digs this performance

[@robertfrederick4714]

Nice

[@rideon1956]

I did lol

[@theotherrobzombie]

This song will forever be linked to that pool scene in Fast Times at Ridgemont High. Phoebe Cates was just stunning in that movie. Natural beauty!

[@mikewerner3797]

I totally dug phoebe 🤤!

[@alfredgalindo8003]

And we all dig phoebe

[@atdeacon]

Orr rocking those heels...lol.. this is fantastic!

[@rubberbiscuit99]

I thought of Prince

[@dennisweis6003]

He’s not moving much… lol

[@coyote4936]

He can do them well

[@Critical_Thinker858]

Big Ben singing lead and rocking the Rick in all his glory. Ric had a unique voice. But Ben had the true rock star voice. This song is and will always remain iconic. So thankful The Midnight Special performances have been preserved for future generations. Phenomenal performance from true legends.

[@franktreppiedi2208]

When RO started singing all their songs and they got real poppy, I lost interest.

[@KittyGrizGriz]

Believe it’s a “Dean” bass & maybe guitar too. You’re right, Ben was a beast singing & playing bass, love the whole band saw them in ‘79 @ Arrowhead Stadium when they hit the big time running, what a great memory.

[@IplayMusic2]

@@KittyGrizGrizBass was a rickenbacker 4001, red guitar was a Deal ML and the white one was a Dean Elite as I recall. I think they changed the nameElite to Cadillac in the 90’s. I’m just a old gear head trying to help. I knew Dean Zelinskis roommate from San Diego.

[@kcbrutality5271]

Big Ben was The Voice , of this band....I think Ocasek copied him.

[@evinwhiteson4902]

You had to live it to dig it

[@Grandizer8989]

I recently went to a Holiday party and met an older, very small gentleman with a long skinny ponytail and funky Converse sneakers. There was something about him that told me that he was some kind of artist because everyone else was dressed up and he had that look. Turns out it was the keyboardist Greg Hawkes. I was blown away. And he lives two streets over from me. He and his wife are amazing people and the stories that he told had us on the edge of our seats. He’s very humble and couldn’t be nicer.

[@slayorcs]

That would have been one hell of a party then.

[@robertferguson533]

Pretty cool

[@NileKelly]

Damn! Talk about a small world. Great story! Was this in Boston or somewhere else?

[@danno9608]

I don't always listen to the Cars, but when I do so do my neighbors. This is probably the best live version of Moving in Stereo ever to be captured on film!!!

[@ellab8897]

@danno9608 - Check this out: kzbin.info/www/bejne/poDNl2qig7aUn6csi=GgJUnpIB_Q0pmKNR BONUS: It's a video of 'Moving In Stereo'/'All Mixed Up' Two songs on one video!!

[@budfromkansas3082]

😂😂🎉🎉❤

[@ericklein5927]

🎉

[@OttoByOgraffey]

Try something original.

[@elvinposey5251]

why not? the are one of the most original rock bands of all time? what are you listening to Tailor Swuft?

[@abrahama2643]

I remember in the 80s EVERYBODY loved The Cars. Whether you were a banger, a punk, a rapper, a prep, or a jock. EVERYBODY loved The Cars.

[@rhalld]

It was the Cars, Hall and Oates, Blondie, Pretenders. 80's was a great time

[@christinedanser956]

Truth! I loved Queen, Cheap Trick, The Cars

[@christinedanser956]

...and Bowie, Elton, Heart..

[@williamblakeslee4727]

Even old time Rock'n'Roll lovers love the Cars!

[@raymondmedina1375]

I saw them in ‘78 backing Styx. They were booed off the stage. But they fought back, came back out while the crew set up for Styx, and started flipping people off, and telling the crowd to “F” off. And vowed to not come back. Albuquerque wasn’t ready for them. But they did come back in 1980.

[@CurtoidHarvonium]

There is just too much exceptional music from that era for me to fully grasp how lucky I am to have lived through it! The Cars were certainly a part of that massive golden age of exceptional performances and bands making really innovative and powerful music. I love this band!

[@kthor]

So true!

[@Spookje09]

I was going to also comment on how fortunate I am to have lived and experienced the 70s, 80s and 90s. I was 9 when this happened and it's the beginning of falling in love w rock and punk. 1979 really had some great releases, Buzzcocks 'Singles Going Steady', the Clash 'London Calling', Iggy Pop's ' New Values' and Devo 'Duty Now for the Future' are just a few others. Disco ruled then and the reaction of rock n roll to it really gave us some bangers! Ooh, I almost forgot another important smasher of a release from 1979- The Damned 'Machine Gun Etiquette'.

[@jodidavis6595]

Well said me too. Graduate of 83. So I enjoyed 70’s and 80’s

[@cris_261]

Graduate of '86 here. Definitely agree, there was so much great music. Been able to share some of this with my kids. I figured it was a good way to start them on their musical journey.

[@I_Fight_Instacart]

It trips me out that these guys were considered super hip when I was an 8th grader in '84, when Heartbreak City was new. Ric Ocasek was 40!

[@jefff2223]

This is my 9 year old son’s favorite song right now. Makes me a proud dad to have shared this great music with him. He’s also loving AC/DC.

[@josephhobbs3009]

I have to say, Thank you for sharing music from the past with your son! My son is approaching 30! I shared all the music of my day with him. He now likes everything from classical to heavy metals! And plays mean piano. Thank you again!!!

[@powerwagon3731]

Tell him we have great memories from those years! and we were once young too.

[@lynnnewlin4395]

Good DAD!!!!!

[@billgoforth7426]

You should be dad way to go ..

[@Jason5000]

Smart kid

[@tomholmes4173]

Never missed the Midnight Special. All the most popular artists.

[@GTRJohn13]

Never?

[@timbates6309]

I didn't always blow out my car speakers back in the late 70s, but when I did, this song was usually part of the reason why.

[@BooksForever]

Dos Equis

[@terrygates8546]

Blew up my home stero Amp a couple times to the Cars epic first album. Ground breaking.

[@tedecker3792]

My roommate started keeping tweeters in stock at our house. 6’ tall infinity speakers sounded great when cranked up.

[@KittyGrizGriz]

⁠@@tedecker3792Woofer’s/Sub-Woofer’s and Tweeter’s, right? Or am I dreaming here haha. Your comment brought back some long forgotten memories. Ex husband was a bass player had reel to reel tapes too, I miss those great times of musical exploration-expression

[@markbeames7852]

then you'd take your Camaro to Stereo Outfitters for a new woofer and tweeters.

[@DanM-ys5pz]

Elliot Easton always played exactly what the song needed. Never too much, never too little.

[@kimcooper1833]

Back when you can appreciate real music being played and sung.

[@ForceWinds3]

🎯

[@brenthardenburg4920]

Hi Kim 🙂

[@christophermiller7532]

There's tons of music played and sung that are real now. That's some "get off my lawn" stuff. The old people in 1979 said the same thing about The Cars and they were wrong too.

[@mizzury54]

Blah blah blah. I still appreciate it.

[@ULTIMATEPATCHES]

@@christophermiller7532 Kim is referring to the fact that most of the songs on the radio are programmed and not musicians playing musical instruments.

[@Fresh-tw7ev]

The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame waited for Benny to pass away before it would induct The Cars. What a crime this hometown guy from Cleveland couldn’t enjoy that magical moment with his fans while he was alive.

[@samhain4399]

The RRHoF is a travesty and irony rolled into one... And you are very on point with the Cars, as just one example.

[@hedge685]

Nobody gives a shit about the RRHOF.

[@tomarmadiyer2698]

​@@hedge685I only care about it as far as "id wipe my arse with it if I could, but not much else"

[@emiliorodriguez9166]

I don't mean to defend the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, and I really do share the sentiment. However, this is inaccurate. Ben died in 2000, and, as per the Hall's rules, 25 years must have passed after an artist's first record release ("The Cars" was released in 1978). They became eligible in 2003, so, even if the Hall had loved The Cars, Bend would have never seen the induction with his very eyes.

[@stopthephilosophicalzombie9017]

Why did they wait?

[@MrScoop156]

The 1970s were a golden cornucopia of musical goodness

[@Fat12219]

The CARs 😂😂😂😂😂

[@PongGod]

I don't care what anyone else says about it, but this is The Cars' greatest track.

[@cthulholmhastur5317]

This was a great era when synths came in and yet were still played live. The Cars first album remains a masterwork of punk, hard rock, space rock, ... God I love it.

[@mnoir8888]

Yes ! Don’t forget Glam ! Wowza

[@cthulholmhastur5317]

@@mnoir8888 No doubt. The first time I heard "Good Times Roll" I was just...wow! This is something new.. rockin, yet intelligent, and a tad campy?

[@ChannelSyxx]

Still in my top 5 all time favorite list.

[@cthulholmhastur5317]

@@ChannelSyxx Moving in Stereo! That sliding bass riff... soooo heavy.

[@dwaynewladyka577]

The birth of new wave music. This is awesome.

[@Hittdogg17]

Edgar Winter

[@thonatim5321]

I would not classify The Cars as "New Wave".

[@Hittdogg17]

@@thonatim5321 yes but they influenced new wave

[@thonatim5321]

@@Hittdogg17 sure. So did the Rolling Stones but we do not classify them as New Wave.

[@Hittdogg17]

@@thonatim5321 not even close to the same. I don't think you even understand what new wave means

[@codasm]

The album that killed disco, thank you The Cars!

[@usmc6157]

Got that right!

[@allexisberry7367]

I love all music . Including disco .

[@guaporeturns9472]

@@allexisberry7367Same.. and nothing killed disco.. disco lived on in my head!

[@voodoodisco]

kinda dramatic. LOL no, it didn't kill disco

[@douglasdixon524]

I like Ted Nugent and Disco. Just don't let Ted know I posted this.

[@dethengine]

Sometimes I wonder why The Cars weren't more famous, but then I remember that they had a ton of hits, and I was just a stoner. 😂

[@mortlieb8239]

They did have a lot of hits, but they were never part of the "show biz" scene which sets them apart, and I think that's why they seem less "famous".

[@FranktheDachshund]

They were not really into that rockstar lifestyle like so many other rock bands at the time.

[@johnie19644]

Yea me too I just turned 60, I drank a ton of beer in my buddies 69 Camaro listening to the cars all night long

[@mwblackbelt]

Another musical genius that deserves more recognition: Greg Hawkes

[@mwblackbelt]

@@TheCyberspaceCowboy otherworldly

[@mwblackbelt]

@NickJaramillo-gi7gs yeah, sorry. My eyes aren't what they used to be

[@ULTIMATEPATCHES]

1000%

[@freehaven1]

Benjamin Orr ....the most underrated rockstar ever!!! prove me wrong

[@CostaCadidaddy]

Bingo

[@matthewturan9343]

I remember watching this as a teenager. Our music was so damn good!!!

[@chilaquil8388]

Damn Straight

[@francoiszdanowicz]

I was 15 back then. Can't wait for the time machine to be invented

[@kelseymariel2127]

@@francoiszdanowiczI was 13 and same! I want to go back.

[@jimlong8077]

WOW WOW WOW! What a monster sound they laid down live!! This is an incredible version of this song! I am shocked!!

[@Mike-rm1lb]

Ben Orr could sing live excellently!

[@lemurianchick]

I am surprised it was live because it seems many of the performances on this show were lip-synced for whatever reason.

[@Keith-rk4td]

Unexpected so Freaking Heavy🤘🤠🤘

[@LowEarthOrbitPilot]

If you knew the Cars, you knew that they didn’t care much for stage performance, as much as they did for musical perfection, and trying their best to re-create their album sound live, in front of the audience. ❤

[@kurtp8833]

Please tell me you're kidding. I liked this band, but this performance was horrible.

[@CDavis-el3es]

Here's what younger people don't realize about watching this after midnight in the 80s - you had no idea what to expect and there was absolutely NO pause or rewind. You either saw it on the TV or you missed it. Forever. That's what made concerts like these so magical and one-of-a-kind. When this came on I wasn't old enough to get high or get laid yet, but this show was a preview of just how special Friday nights could be (in the 80's at least).

[@snoops5581]

This actually came out in the late 1970’s because I was in high school & graduated in 1980.

[@callen8908]

They were my high too. What a great music era for us as young people

[@sonicdewd]

I was 7 when this song came out. It was so awesome I got laid that night. Just kidding. I was 56 when this song came out.

[@lancecharlett1761]

Love Ben's bass walk down at 4:18 so simple but so powerfully beautiful.

[@martyconroy3537]

57 year old me is sitting here watching this in awe just like I'm sure 13 year old me was doing when this was originally aired 44 years ago, WOW!!😳👌

[@kathyclancy551]

Speaking as a fellow 57 year old, it is great to go back in your mind to another time 😊

[@kelseymariel2127]

With you both. 57 about to turn 58. My 13 year old self was going nuts.

[@brucemcpherson4805]

Greg Hawkes 1 of the best keyboard players of all time!

[@Ramirez-j1h]

Chester Thompson of Santana is just as good.

[@kelseymariel2127]

He still plays! Does about 6-8 gigs a year with a band out of Boston called Eddie Japan. He can still rock it! Even does some of those rare saxophone solos like the one in All Mixed Up.

[@blakewigginssnewwavechanne404]

Can’t argue with that

[@jameslaguardia2709]

The first concert I ever went to was in 1978 - the Cars opened for Styx, and this was their opening song. The bassline was so low and so loud it took my breath away. It was the first of a hundred or so concerts I've been to over the years, and will always be really special to me.

[@KittyGrizGriz]

Wonderful! Saw them in ‘79 @ Arrowhead Stadium but had been to many concerts already. They were fabulous! Openers were Heart, Bob Welch, Ted Nugent, Sammy Hagar & local band Missouri. Great memories, eh? I love “Moving in Stereo” song followed by “All Mixed Up”, a 2 punch tune - knock out!!!

[@tracevicente]

Im actually jealous. I loved Styx too. I was too young for concerts but was a huge music head.

[@rainbowwoo]

the cars and styx, what a match! I’m so jealous

[@2532robh1]

God that must have been awesome.

[@mnoir8888]

Benjamin Orr, a name I only learned about a month ago. Now an obsession. I feel ripped off that Ocasek was the only face of The Cars I ever came across. And sad that I never saw them live. Orr should have sang 90, not 40% of the songs.

[@toddgreer2090]

The thrill of being born in '62.....THIS was a game changer

[@buckeyepilot3929]

Best band of the 80s, hands-down. RIP Benjamin Orr and Ric Ocasek.

[@HOWYOUDOIN884]

My older bro's fave band and he had the best car stereo... RIP bro, see ya later

[@eric_in_florida]

Great song, featured on Fast Times. RIP Ben and Rik.

[@Washington-Dreaming]

Interesting. I’ve seen that movie several times for, well, the pool scene. But I couldn’t remember this song in the film. Keep it real - or rather “keep them real” - Phoebe Cates!

[@penelopepitstop6731]

Oh, now I'm psyched for this, maybe will get a Midnight Special for point 5, which is the most important point in making out, which is to put on side 1 of Led Zeppelin IV.....which is, of course, Kashmir........ROTFLMAO kzbin.info/www/bejne/sJ2QdKWfgpuprpI

[@dehydratedwater9806]

@@Washington-Dreaming it's the song playing when she gets out the pool in slo-mo

[@KittyGrizGriz]

Everyone loves Benny-11 Letters! “Orzechowski” his given last name has eleven letters & was hard for some to pronounce~hence his cool nickname. One of the sexiest man-musician I’ve ever seen with massive stage presence, and his fabulous voice-bass playing! Used to think he was British, nope…Cleveland, Ohio native. Was glad to experience them live in ‘79 @ KC Arrowhead Stadium; opening acts were Heart, Bob Welch, Ted Nugent, Sammy Hagar & local band Missouri. Still have the memory of walking around the standing room only field section, sun setting a little lower on a hot summer day, my long hair lightly blowing in the welcoming cooler breeze as Ric sang; “Let them leave you up in the air Let them brush your rock and roll hair”, so ethereal, that feeling has never left me.

[@lawrencelitterini4973]

The cars really jump started the 80s This band was deep with musical artist. Their sound everlasting.

[@zardoz1138]

Nobody’s cooler than Ben Orr in that video. Great song.

[@stevemcleod7761]

In awe of Benjamin Orr there is something so so special about him and the whole band every member is a very unique musician in there own way and together wow what a band

[@Bluezee1]

Man this song takes me back. One of the most iconic intros in rock and roll. R I P Rik

[@ChannelSyxx]

RIP Ben.

[@that70sgirl90]

Phenomenal performance! There will be nothing like the music we experienced. Happy Monday... thank you for sharing! 💖

[@KittyGrizGriz]

Thankfully it’s right here; forever 😊

[@that70sgirl90]

@@KittyGrizGriz 👌 KZbin is like a time machine.

[@KittyGrizGriz]

@@that70sgirl90 It sure is! I love your “name” so cute 🥰. What is ‘this’ actually called in YT lingo, don’t think it’s ‘name’ haha, I’m new to YT after watching vids for many years, finally took the plunge.

[@that70sgirl90]

@KittyGrizGriz I did the same thing. After watching KZbin for some time, one day, I finally subscribed. I decided i wasn't going to use my real name. I could be anyone I wanted to be. I took my favorite era of time, which was the 70s, and one of my favorite shows of the 70s, which was "That Girl," and that's how I came up with my name.... "That70's girl." I hope you enjoy your time here on KZbin. Thank you for sharing! 💖

[@kthor]

@@that70sgirl90Love the name & how you arrived at it! I think our YT names (I didn't wanna use my real name either, so went with first initial & first part of last name😁) are called our usernames....I think!🤣Yes, I definitely remember "That Girl", "The Flying Nun", "Petticoat Junction", "Green Acres"....so many great shows from that era of time!📺

[@GT-bz9nc]

When this song came out it was like nothing i had heard before. Its dynamic and immersive listening experien was a production masterpiece. The entire debut album seemed to take up most of the air in the music room that year, and there were many great releases in ‘78

[@thomasaquinas157]

That first album... I played it almost as much as Boston's debut album. At deafening levels, of course. Great high school memories. When Boston bands ruled the world...

[@MRAMX390]

Exactly 💯 ❤

[@gooddognigel9992]

Their debut album has stood the test of time.

[@terrygates8546]

Along with the Doors debut album pure genius for its time. Never gets old

[@TheListOf]

One of my favorite songs of all time! ❤

[@lemurianchick]

Because of Phoebe Cates? 😐

[@eduardoalmeida61]

bad taste

[@TheListOf]

@@lemurianchick No, because of MELODY.

[@TheListOf]

@@eduardoalmeida61 You should see a dentist about that...

[@debd353]

Should always be followed by "All Mixed Up".

[@conditionallyunconditional5691]

Cars, Devo, Knack, B-52's, Phil Collins, Pink Floyd were all part of a huge sandwich of bands. From high school to college, these were all popular. But the Cars were unique, became popular and easy to dance along. These live performances are priceless. 👏👏👏👍

[@elvinposey5251]

I love Cars Knack but the rest of those bands just blow!

[@rayburn8282]

Dont forget talking heads

[@KittyGrizGriz]

Blondie, too!

[@tul9033]

So ahead of their time! Then and NOW!

[@skymaster9484]

Boy whoever pinned the phrase they were 80's before the 80's could not have described this band anybetter.

[@StephanieJeanne]

🤩🔥🔥Such a cool song! It's one of those listening in headsets or driving in your car kind of songs. I don't know that keyboard player's name, but he's awesome! The Cars were just one of the coolest bands ever! I'm so glad you have this footage! 😁💜

[@johng4503]

Greg Hawkes on keyboards

[@brötzmannsax]

@@johng4503 A great multi instrumentalist that still rocks on.

[@KittyGrizGriz]

LOVE the CARS!! 😅

[@StephanieJeanne]

@@KittyGrizGriz 🙌😎

[@Dojacks]

Greg Hawkes

[@3fsw3]

From the first time I heard, “Let The Good Times Roll” I knew I was hearing a totally new and astonishing phase of rock n roll that was not going away. The Cars did it album after album without let up. What a time to be young!

[@kamwickw933]

Beautiful Ben Orr’s voice seriously hits me in the right place 😜

[@matthewsteven1723]

Grew up in the 80s and I guess I never appreciated these guys like I should have. This video says it all.

[@JustinBraham-p5e]

Quite a badass walk down he does on that bass 😊

[@ULTIMATEPATCHES]

right!?

[@RSGill1903]

Every time I hear this, I picture Phoebe Cates climbing from the pool. SO good seeing them do this live. In 1979 I was just a young 22 year old, hard to believe that time has passed so quickly.

[@davidrichter9164]

I love that scene.

[@mizzury54]

I was 22 and 23 also.

[@bryanprince5276]

NOW PICTURE PHOEBE CATES . WEARING A DIAPER 4 BLADDER LEAKS ;&/R CRAPPING HERSELF. THEN INSTEAD OF GETTING OUT OF POOL. SHE IS COMING OUT OF BATH TUB

[@cbotten106]

Okay, I admit it I'm the guy who wore out that part of the Blockbuster rental VHS copy. Mea culpa!

[@DrTomoculus]

THANK YOU MIDNIGHT SPECIAL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! BEN ORR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@villain68]

Every time I hear this song I think of the Fast Times At Ridgemont High scene.

[@brenthardenburg4920]

This song takes me back to the late 70's with the Ellis family in Traverse City, Michigan. Hi to Kim, Kyle, Kathy, Koby, Klaire and the other two that start with a K!!!

[@n.v.1258]

Ben had a beautiful tone, high mid and low. perfect God given talent.

[@michaelmuniz5172]

My absolute favorite Cars song

[@ronboerste1813]

I remember when these guys first came out God I really miss the good old days 🥺

[@BigDumApe]

Wow. That live Cars performance is everything I hoped it would be. It is a deceptively simple sounding song, but there are many layers to it. Just fantastic!

[@naturegirllover]

I was lucky enough to go to 3 their concerts. Amazing 🙏

[@John-k1m9l]

I'm also 63 and was embarrassed at first to love this beautiful sound all my friends back then were rockers but I couldn't stop listening and never will he's my favorite artist of all time Devo is second

[@tricky6219]

I am 64 and when I first heard The Cars, I knew that music was changing and New Wave was on the way. In my opinion, they kicked off a new era in popular music. Ahead of their time!

[@StanleyCullerEsq.]

I am just beyond astounded by how beautiful these Midnight Special clips look! It truly is an opportunity to be transported back to when I was a teenager and just falling in love with music. Thank you, for this channel! (Also, if I may… Musical artist Paul Warren & Explorer were on the Midnight Special twice, I believe the years were 1979 and 1981, and I would be so grateful to these those performances again. All the best!)

[@KevinJames-yg9eu]

I was 2 at the time, so I remember none of it, but I'd rather be there than here.

[@chiphargis3703]

This album came out in 1978

[@Beamshipcaptain]

I was 17 in 1978. The new music was interstellar in creativity and quality then, unlike the music of today, which will be forgotten. @@chiphargis3703

[@Jeffrey.Seelman]

Stunning. And I love the keyboards.

[@classicarcadeamusementpark4242]

Me too. Huge influence on me. I learned the synth parts and are working with an upcoming Cars tribute band. Greg Hawks really made this song stand out. Can't imagine what it would have sounded like without him. Totally different, that's for sure. To me, this is the most defining song of The Cars.

[@KittyGrizGriz]

@@classicarcadeamusementpark4242Oh wow, that’s really cool you play keys and in a Cars tribute band too! I took lessons around age 9, overheard piano teacher telling my mom I couldn’t read music but could play by ear, thought it meant I sucked and lost interest. Have a nice Yamaha with all the bells and whistles but it’s “too complicated” electronically for me, bummer. Peace and happy songs~shows for you! 😄

[@classicarcadeamusementpark4242]

@@KittyGrizGriz I play exclusively by ear. Most professional rock musicians do, even the famous ones. I bought 2 crates full of sheet music as a teen, but quickly discovered the keyboard tracks on sheet music for rock and popular music is not a transcription of the original recorded keyboard tracks, but rather a facsimile of the entire band including vocals as something meant to be played on a piano. Basically, sheet music was useless to me so I lost interest in learning how to read it better. My goal was always to play in a band covering the original keyboard parts. For people that play pure classic music or church Hymns I'm sure it's fine, but for other type of music, your ear is far more important. I also took notice a lot of people that do read sheet music and many have no feeling for the music, but have learned how to play what is written without really hearing what they are playing. Often things like learning the precise timing required in a band is not a skill they learned. Knowing how to do all this and reading sheeting, sure the more skills you have, the better.

[@KittyGrizGriz]

@@classicarcadeamusementpark4242 So your saying, there’s still hope for me?? 😂 My ex husband was a bass player and jammed with his 2 older brother’s (electric guitar~drums), his best friend played acoustic and sounded just like Neil Young. Somewhere on a long forgotten reel to reel tape is my voice~harmonizing, I sang in choirs. Definitely missed my calling (dance too), have always “felt” the music 💃🎶 Rock On!🤘

[@reinerschulmann586]

The Cars are the best rock band and the debut album "The Cars "and Heartbeat City are the best album of all time . Rest in Peace Ric and Ben !

[@KarenMullins-ms7np]

2024 anybody?

[@MichaelSmith-uw2tl]

Always!❤

[@lisatravis4089]

Awesome song and group. They don't make them like this anymore! 😢😊

[@jessetryon5108]

I think I wore this 8 track out.

[@1001mugsy]

I am....and same last name...Holy wtf!

[@sjs928]

DUDES ! This is 40 years ago + , and it’s timeless …

[@timothyshaneschaefer8289]

60 now. Grew up in the panhandle of Tx. Midnight Special as a kid just blew my mind. Absolutely loved it.

[@voodoolife]

That Rickenbacker bass is gorgeous!

[@gloxepy]

so is the bass player 😊

[@KittyGrizGriz]

@@gloxepyWhew, your not kidding! 😅

[@kelseymariel2127]

@@gloxepy You took the words right out of my mouth 👄

[@paulmorgan7232]

Props to Greg Hawkes and David Robinson two very integral parts of this great group. Rip Ben and Rick

[@doblegcanusee9311]

I remember this album came out in the summer of '78 before my freshmen year of high school. Just a few months earlier Van Halen released the debut album. What a great year for rock n roll.

[@stevejohnson4272]

This is an amazing live performance. The Cars were a completely new and different sound, and their debut album was just as iconic and groundbreaking as Boston's first album.

[@davelimbo]

And both from Boston area!

[@makethisgowhoosh]

The Cars' first album was huge in my high school. It was the death that disco deserved. Now it's only today that I have nostalgia for disco.

[@ziff_1]

The Cars debut album was one of greatest albums ever made.

[@jeffmiller5071]

What truly special time. This is the apex of rock music. All of the great music has already been played.

[@zebulonswearingen4607]

This is the 1st time I’ve been able to see who played which parts (and how) in this song. Totally awesome. It’s one of my favorite songs by anyone. I grew up listening to The Cars! I’m fascinated by those Dean guitars they’re playing. I’ve never seen one like Ric’s. Such a cool video all the way around. I’ve never seen this actual show on TV but it’s pretty cool here on YT.

[@curtisphilumalee1447]

I actually had a black Dean Cadillac back in the 80’s. Like a dummy I sold it to a buddy. I think ten years ago they reissued the Cadillac but I think they were made in Korea.. Trying to find a 80’s Dean Caddy now is pretty tough.

[@themidnightspecialtvshow]

Rock on!

[@brötzmannsax]

What model guitar is EE playing here?

[@KittyGrizGriz]

@@brötzmannsaxSomeone mentioned “Dean” 🎸on here

[@curtisphilumalee1447]

It was called an ML model but I never seen one in red. I’ve seen them in black, white and a sky blue color. For some reason you can still find them for sale. But they go for a pretty penny. Back in the day Dean made some solid guitars. Late 70’s and early 80’s they were the shit. I owned two different Deans and unfortunately moved on from both of them by the mid eighties. I had a 81 Black Caddy and 84 short scale 8 string bass. I can kick my ass for letting both of them go. As a guitarist you are always moving on to the next best thing.

[@thelastrebelshow1627]

Saw The Cars, Kansas, and Thin Lizzy in 79 at The Cow Palace in South San Francisco Ca. 🤘😆🤘

[@starsourcer]

I have never seen The Cars live performance! This is incredible! Love the music I grew up to! Thank you!

[@dynjarren7523]

This is the best live version of this song I’ve ever heard and it’s good to have video too! The Cars debut album holds up and still sounds lean and mean. It’s like a greatest hits collection. Not a bad song on it. Solid gold! And it ends with this futuristic sounding song. I actually thought this was the musical direction they were going to go into afterwards. It’s still a song one can daydream to. Thanks Midnight Special for preserving this music for posterity. 👏🏻

[@fumingriley]

The way the songs transitioned into one another on this debut album was unique; we'd have a few beers, pass a joint and get lost in these great songs. My favorite being Bye Bye Love

[@dynjarren7523]

@@fumingrileyAnd who does that now? Nobody!

[@mitchclem3404]

creating the 80's right here..

[@rodmandealerman3297]

I was a teenager in the late 70s. I love The Cars just as much now as I did back then. Maybe even more so. Rest in Peace Ben and Ric. Your absences are *keenly* felt.

[@dag681]

Had the pleasure of meeting Eliot. He became the guitarist for Creedence Clearwater Revisited. Very humble soft-spoken man. Always dead in the pocket with tasteful licks

[@andyharman3022]

Do you know how old Elliot was in this performance? He looks like a teenager.

[@kelseymariel2127]

@@andyharman3022 He was 25.

[@ericrickert3045]

The keyboardist is awesome and a key part of this band

[@markd9410]

I was 14..what a great time to be alive.

[@wesbaumguardner8829]

He sounds like two different people in this song. What a talent! RIP.

[@SuperBobbyr]

When I first heard, I thought it was David Bowie..my favorite Cars song

[@pointnozzleaway]

I miss these guys !

[@mournblade1066]

Wow, that sounded amazing. And I was really pleased to see Greg Hawkes be the focal point for once.

[@joemorris2886]

Rocking the heels.

[@userbosco]

That first album was such a great achievement. Every track.

[@bengriffin8506]

Close your eyes and hold on. Deep song, always different and unique. RIP Big Ben.

[@skipdog9912]

Hard to hear this song without thinking of fast times! 😂😂

[@sporty05]

Bought the album when it came out and listened to this song over and over as a kid in my room with my old record player. It's one of those songs that transports you to another place in the galaxy.

[@naturegirllover]

Absolutely to the good ole days ❤

[@joesullivan8861]

they'll never be another show like the Special!!!