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The Cars

From Alfawiki
The Cars
Company typeBand
IndustryMusic
Founded1976 in Boston, Massachusetts, United States
FounderRic Ocasek, Benjamin Orr, Elliot Easton, Greg Hawkes, David Robinson
Defunct1988 (first disbandment)
FateDisbanded in 1988; reunited 2010–2011; inactive after 2011; final performance 2018
Headquarters
Boston
,
United States
Area served
Worldwide
Key people
Ric Ocasek (lead songwriter, rhythm guitar, vocals), Benjamin Orr (bass guitar, vocals), Elliot Easton (lead guitar), Greg Hawkes (keyboards, saxophone), David Robinson (drums)
ProductsMusic albums and singles
Number of employees
5 (core band members)

The Cars originated as an American rock group established in Boston in 1976. Emerging from the late 1970s new wave movement, the ensemble featured Ric Ocasek on rhythm guitar, Benjamin Orr handling bass duties, Elliot Easton on lead guitar, Greg Hawkes playing keyboards, and David Robinson on drums. Both Ocasek and Orr shared lead vocal responsibilities, with Ocasek acting as the chief songwriter and band leader.

The Cars were pioneers in blending 1970s guitar-driven rock with the synthesizer-infused pop sound that defined the early 1980s. Music critic Robert Palmer highlighted their unique combination of punk minimalism, art rock elements, '50s rockabilly influences, and power pop into a cohesive and recognizable style.

In 1978, Rolling Stone readers honored them as "Best New Artist." Their self-titled debut album, The Cars, achieved sales of six million copies and remained on the Billboard 200 chart for 139 weeks. The band produced four Top 10 singles: "Shake It Up" (1981), "You Might Think" (1984), "Drive" (1984), and "Tonight She Comes" (1985). They also received the Video of the Year award at the inaugural MTV Video Music Awards in 1984 for "You Might Think."

The group disbanded in 1988. Benjamin Orr passed away from pancreatic cancer in 2000. In 2007, Elliot Easton and Greg Hawkes collaborated with Todd Rundgren to form The New Cars. The original lineup reunited to produce their seventh studio record, Move Like This (2011), which was followed by a North American tour before entering another period of inactivity. In April 2018, The Cars were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, reuniting for their final performance prior to Ric Ocasek’s death in 2019.

Early years

Prior to forming The Cars, Ric Ocasek and Benjamin Orr played in multiple bands across Cleveland, Columbus, and Ann Arbor before relocating to Boston during the early 1970s. There, alongside guitarist Jas Goodkind, they formed Milkwood and released the album How's the Weather in 1972 via Paramount Records; however, it failed to chart.

Following this, Ocasek and Orr established Richard and the Rabbits, which included Greg Hawkes—a Berklee-trained musician who had contributed saxophone parts to Milkwood's album. After Hawkes toured with Martin Mull’s musical comedy troupe, Ocasek and Orr performed as an acoustic duo in Cambridge, Massachusetts, crafting songs that would later evolve into early material for The Cars.

Subsequently, they joined forces with guitarist Elliot Easton in Cap'n Swing, a band that also featured drummer Glenn Evans among others. Orr served as lead vocalist without playing an instrument. The group's jazzy approach conflicted with Ocasek’s preference for rock music. After limited interest from record labels, Ocasek revamped the lineup by adding bassist Orr and drummer David Robinson—who had experience with the Modern Lovers and DMZ—and renamed the ensemble The Cars in 1976. Robinson played a key role in shaping the band's image and proposed their name.

Rise in popularity, The Cars, and Candy-O (1976–1979)

The Cars made their official debut on December 31, 1976, performing at Pease Air Force Base in New Hampshire. Keyboardist Greg Hawkes became a full-time member in early 1977 after substituting for Danny Schliftman during initial performances.

Throughout 1977, The Cars toured throughout New England while honing material for their debut album. Their nine-track demo received extensive airplay on Boston radio stations WBCN and WCOZ, especially the song "Just What I Needed." After attracting interest from Arista and Elektra Records, they ultimately signed with Elektra under A&R executive George Daly.

Their first album, The Cars, released in June 1978, climbed to No. 18 on the Billboard 200 chart. Singles such as "Just What I Needed," "My Best Friend's Girl," and "Good Times Roll" all entered the Billboard Hot 100 charts. Several other tracks from the album also enjoyed substantial radio play.

Their sophomore effort, Candy-O (June 1979), outperformed its predecessor by reaching No. 3 on the Billboard 200. Featuring cover art by Playboy illustrator Alberto Vargas, it yielded their first top-20 single "Let's Go." Subsequent singles "It's All I Can Do" and "Double Life" followed but did not match previous commercial success.

Evolution in sound, Panorama and Shake It Up (1980–1983)

After the success of Candy-O, The Cars unveiled their third studio effort, Panorama, in August 1980. This record took a more experimental direction and yielded only one top-40 single, "Touch and Go". Despite reaching No. 5 on the U.S. charts, it did not receive the same critical praise as its predecessors, with Rolling Stone describing it as "an out-and-out drag."

In 1981, the band acquired Intermedia Studios in Boston, which they renamed Syncro Sound. Their fourth album, Shake It Up, was the sole project recorded there. This release marked a shift back toward a commercially accessible sound and featured their first top-10 hit with the title track "Shake It Up", as well as another popular single, "Since You're Gone".

Following their 1982 tour, The Cars entered a two-year break during which members explored solo ventures; Ocasek put out Beatitude while Hawkes released his solo album Niagara Falls.

Heartbeat City, Door to Door, peak fame, and initial hiatus (1984–1988)

In March 1984, The Cars regrouped to deliver their most commercially successful album, Heartbeat City. The lead single "You Might Think" earned Video of the Year at the first-ever MTV Video Music Awards. Other notable tracks included "Magic", "Hello Again", and "Why Can't I Have You". The ballad "Drive", featuring Orr on vocals, gained widespread attention when it was used during a video segment on the Ethiopian famine at the 1985 Live Aid concert held at Wembley Stadium in London. This track became their highest-charting single, peaking at No. 3 on the Billboard Hot 100. Its music video was directed by actor and filmmaker Timothy Hutton.

Their 1985 compilation Greatest Hits included the successful single "Tonight She Comes", which climbed to No. 7 on the Hot 100 and topped the Top Rock Tracks chart. In 1987, The Cars released their sixth studio album, Door to Door, which featured their final significant international hit "You Are the Girl". Nevertheless, this album did not achieve the same commercial heights as earlier works. The group announced their disbandment in February 1988.

1989–2009

Orr passed away from pancreatic cancer at age 53 on October 3, 2000.

In 2008, their debut album was made available for play in the video game Rock Band.

Reunion, Move Like This and second hiatus (2010–2017)

In 2010, surviving founding members Ocasek, Easton, Hawkes, and Robinson hinted at a reunion through social media by sharing a photograph from Millbrook Sound Studios along with a preview of a new track titled "Blue Tip." Producer Jacknife Lee participated in the sessions.

According to Billboard, recording took place at Paul Orofino's studio in Millbrook, New York. Snippets of new songs "Sad Song" and "Free" were released online. The official music video for "Blue Tip," featuring street artist Joe Iurato, premiered in February 2011. Rather than replacing Orr, Hawkes and Lee assumed bass responsibilities.

The album Move Like This, released on May 10 via Hear Music/Concord Music Group, debuted at No. 7 on the Billboard album chart and contained ten tracks totaling under 40 minutes. "Sad Song" served as the lead single to radio starting March 1.

In May 2011, The Cars embarked on a ten-city North American tour and appeared at Lollapalooza in Chicago. Hawkes covered Orr’s bass lines using keyboard and bass instruments; Ocasek performed Orr’s original vocal parts on classics such as "Just What I Needed." Ocasek acknowledged that longstanding conflicts with Orr had impacted the band's internal dynamics.

After concluding the tour in 2011, The Cars went inactive once more.

Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction and Ric Ocasek's passing (2018–2019)

Following a seven-year hiatus, the band reunited featuring Weezer's bassist Scott Shriner to deliver a four-song performance during their 2018 induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Their setlist included "You Might Think" (a track Weezer covered for the Cars 2 soundtrack), "My Best Friend's Girl," "Moving in Stereo," and "Just What I Needed," with introductions by Killers lead singer Brandon Flowers.

On September 15, 2019, Ric Ocasek passed away from natural causes at his residence in New York at the age of 75.

Musical style

The Cars’ sound is often described as a fusion of new wave, power pop, pop rock, and synth-rock, drawing inspiration from genres such as proto-punk, garage rock, and bubblegum pop. Their music also features rockabilly influences, evident in songs like "My Best Friend's Girl." Music critic Robert Palmer highlighted the band's unique combination of punk minimalism, synthesizer and guitar layers reminiscent of art rock, 1950s rockabilly revival, and power pop, resulting in an original and captivating style.

Band members

Touring/session musicians

  • Danny Louis Schliftman – keyboards
  • Scott Shriner – bass guitar, backing vocals

Discography

External links

  • [ AllMusic biography]
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