In 1993, the members of Weezer traveled to New York to meet Ric Ocasek, who was slated to produce their debut album. “He was one of the most significant icons of our childhood,” says bassist Matt Sharp, who had grown up seeing Ocasek’s hits in rotation on MTV. “I can’t think of videos without thinking of him.”
Arriving at Ocasek’s Manhattan address, the bandmates found themselves entering a stately 1850s townhouse with 20-foot-high ceilings, an elevator, a pink pool table, and portraits of Ocasek done by Andy Warhol hanging on the walls.
Arriving at Ocasek’s Manhattan address, the bandmates found themselves entering a stately 1850s townhouse with 20-foot-high ceilings, an elevator, a pink pool table, and portraits of Ocasek done by Andy Warhol hanging on the walls.
- 10/18/2019
- by David Browne
- Rollingstone.com
Billy Corgan paid tribute to Ric Ocasek, the former leader of the Cars and esteemed producer-for-hire who died Sunday in his New York City apartment at the age of 75. Corgan helped produce the New Wave icon’s 1997 solo effort Troublizing, and wrote the album’s final track, “Asia Minor.”
“Devastated to hear of the passing on this man, Ric Ocasek,” Corgan wrote on Instagram. “It has brightened my spirit to see how many have posted about Ric, praising his originality, flair, and brilliance. I was blessed to have known him,...
“Devastated to hear of the passing on this man, Ric Ocasek,” Corgan wrote on Instagram. “It has brightened my spirit to see how many have posted about Ric, praising his originality, flair, and brilliance. I was blessed to have known him,...
- 9/16/2019
- by Angie Martoccio
- Rollingstone.com
This interview originally appeared in the April 17, 1997 issue of Rolling Stone
You knew he was tall, but when Ric Ocasek walks out of the Blue Room at the Chung King House of Metal, in New York, you realize he’s impossibly tall — and reedlike to the point of being wispy. The man whom those over 25 know as the former leader of New Wave icons the Cars (and those under 25 know as the producer of Weezer and Nada Surf) is here recording his fifth solo album; Smashing Pumpkin Billy Corgan is producing a few tracks,...
You knew he was tall, but when Ric Ocasek walks out of the Blue Room at the Chung King House of Metal, in New York, you realize he’s impossibly tall — and reedlike to the point of being wispy. The man whom those over 25 know as the former leader of New Wave icons the Cars (and those under 25 know as the producer of Weezer and Nada Surf) is here recording his fifth solo album; Smashing Pumpkin Billy Corgan is producing a few tracks,...
- 9/16/2019
- by Suzan Colon
- Rollingstone.com
When Ric Ocasek learned the Cars were finally entering the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in December 2017—14 years after they were first eligible—he was overjoyed. “It’s certainly a wonderful feeling to be accepted by peers,” said the singer, who was found dead in his New York townhouse on September 15th. “It’s kind of a big thing for me and the band.”
At the time, the Cars hadn’t performed since a quick 12-date reunion tour in 2011 to support their comeback record Move Like This. It was...
At the time, the Cars hadn’t performed since a quick 12-date reunion tour in 2011 to support their comeback record Move Like This. It was...
- 9/16/2019
- by Andy Greene
- Rollingstone.com
Tony Sokol Sep 15, 2019
The Cars' Ric Ocasek merged punk, pop and avant garde music to help launch new wave.
Ric Ocasek, co-founder and main singer of the band the Cars, was found dead in his Gramercy Park home in New York City, police confirmed, according to Variety. The songwriter and painter was discovered unconscious and unresponsive by his estranged wife, Paulina Porizkova. Few details have been released, including a cause of death. The NYPD announced Ocasek's age as 75, but NPR says he was 70, according to public records.
Rhythm guitarist Ocasek formed the Cars in Boston in 1976 with bassist and singer Benjamin Orr, who died from pancreatic cancer in 2000. The pair met in Cleveland in 1965 after Ocasek caught a performance of Orr's band the Grasshoppers on a local musical variety program called The Big 5 Show. In 1968, the pair formed a band called ID Nirvana, playing regularly at Ohio State University and area clubs.
The Cars' Ric Ocasek merged punk, pop and avant garde music to help launch new wave.
Ric Ocasek, co-founder and main singer of the band the Cars, was found dead in his Gramercy Park home in New York City, police confirmed, according to Variety. The songwriter and painter was discovered unconscious and unresponsive by his estranged wife, Paulina Porizkova. Few details have been released, including a cause of death. The NYPD announced Ocasek's age as 75, but NPR says he was 70, according to public records.
Rhythm guitarist Ocasek formed the Cars in Boston in 1976 with bassist and singer Benjamin Orr, who died from pancreatic cancer in 2000. The pair met in Cleveland in 1965 after Ocasek caught a performance of Orr's band the Grasshoppers on a local musical variety program called The Big 5 Show. In 1968, the pair formed a band called ID Nirvana, playing regularly at Ohio State University and area clubs.
- 9/16/2019
- Den of Geek
The Cars were the New Wave band with the purest Top 40 heart, thanks to Ric Ocasek’s vision of combining post-punk detachment with glossy hooks and a nervy sense of hunger. The Cars joked that they should’ve called their astonishingly tight 1978 self-titled debut The Cars’ Greatest Hits, for good reason, and they kept rolling out precision-tuned new models throughout the Eighties. Ocasek also had success as a producer and solo artist, and when the Cars returned with their brilliantly titled 2011 comeback LP, Move Like This, they proved they could...
- 9/16/2019
- by Jon Dolan, Patrick Doyle, Brian Hiatt, Christian Hoard, Elias Leight, Rob Sheffield and Hank Shteamer
- Rollingstone.com
The 33rd annual Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony treated the audience at Cleveland’s Public Auditorium to a reunited Bon Jovi, a hilarious induction speech by presenter Howard Stern, and touching tributes to Tom Petty and Chris Cornell.
The April 14 event kicked off with The Killers, who honored Petty with a cover of “American Girl.” Singer Brandon Flowers also nodded to a bit of “Free Falling” during the performance. It was followed by Stern’s introduction of Bon Jovi. The SiriusXM radio host, and self-anointed “King of All Media,” commented: “It took years of pondering to decide that this glorious band that sold 130 million albums [should be let] in.
Jon Bon Jovi’s twenty minute long speech was a gracious nod to the history of the band, with generous mentions of people along the way who paved the way to the Rock Hall honors.
“I’ve been writing a speech...
The April 14 event kicked off with The Killers, who honored Petty with a cover of “American Girl.” Singer Brandon Flowers also nodded to a bit of “Free Falling” during the performance. It was followed by Stern’s introduction of Bon Jovi. The SiriusXM radio host, and self-anointed “King of All Media,” commented: “It took years of pondering to decide that this glorious band that sold 130 million albums [should be let] in.
Jon Bon Jovi’s twenty minute long speech was a gracious nod to the history of the band, with generous mentions of people along the way who paved the way to the Rock Hall honors.
“I’ve been writing a speech...
- 4/15/2018
- by Michele Amabile Angermiller
- Variety Film + TV
After last week’s cascade of top titles including new releases from Beastie Boys, Jennifer Lopez and Stevie Nicks, the release slate slows to a trickle the week of May 10 in terms of marquee names. However, there are still plenty of reasons to be “Glee”-ful as Matthew Morrison releases his solo album debut, plus neo-soul sensation Rafael Saddiq returns with a new set. The Cars, “Move Like This” (Hear Music/Concord): Ric Ocasek and the boys are back with a tight set produced by Jacknife Lee. It’s their first album featuring original members Ocasek, Elliott Easton, Greg Hawkes and David Robinson in...
- 5/10/2011
- Hitfix
The Cars, from left: David Robinson, Ric Ocasek, Greg Hawkes, Elliot Easton. By Mark SeligerNew Wave icons the Cars broke up just in time. Their deadpan lyrics and penchant for white sunglasses, striped shirts, and shag haircuts never could have survived the angst of the 90s. Frontman Ric Ocasek seemed content to produce some of that generation’s defining bands (Weezer, Hole, and No Doubt, among others). That is, until the announcement last fall that Ocasek and the other surviving original members (guitarist Elliot Easton, keyboardist Greg Hawkes, and drummer Dave Robinson) were collaborating on their first new studio album since 1987. The new album, Move Like This, is classic Cars. The songs are full of handclaps, bright synth melodies, sunny chord progressions, and Ocasek’s faux-jaded, cool-nerd vocals. Here, Ocasek discusses his lyrics, his looks, and how life is strangely the same when you’re moving in stereo.
- 5/5/2011
- Vanity Fair
The Cars have announced a North American Spring tour in support of their new studio album .Move Like This. - which arrives May 10th from Hear Music/Concord Music Group. The tour will kick off on Tuesday, May 10th at Seattle's Showbox SoDo, and the set list will draw from the band's remarkable career and include songs from the new album. .Move Like This. was produced by Garret "Jacknife" Lee and The Cars, and finds the band - Ric Ocasek, Greg Hawkes, Elliot Easton and David Robinson - brimming with confidence and creative energy, in full charge of their considerable power and enduring influential artistry. The album.s inspiration came in the fall of 2009 as Ocasek considered how to...
- 4/4/2011
- by Patrick Luce
- Monsters and Critics
The Cars have regrouped to record a new album and are planning a tour. The forthcoming LP will mark the band's first in 23 years, reports Billboard. Singer Ric Ocasek, guitarist Elliot Easton, keyboardist Greg Hawkes and drummer David Robinson have recorded a number of new songs for the record. Veteran engineer Paul Orofino, who is working on the release, confirmed the reunion in a message board post. A clip from a new track called 'Blue Tip' appeared on their Facebook page last week. Hawkes reportedly played the (more)...
- 10/22/2010
- by By Mike Moody
- Digital Spy
Rock supergroup The Cars are teasing fans about a possible reunion by posting a photo of the bandmates working together in the studio on their Facebook fan page. The "My Best Friend's Girl" hitmakers split 22 years ago, three years after enjoying a massive global hit with Live Aid theme "Drive".
Bandmates Elliot Easton and Greg Hawkes reteamed for a mini-Cars reunion in 2005, but failed to convince frontman Ric Ocasek and David Robinson to join them. Instead, they hit the road as The New Cars with Utopia stars Todd Rundgren, Prairie Prince and Kasim Sulton.
The new photo features Ocasek and Robinson and an accompanying caption reads: "Anyone in the mood for a reunion by The Cars?" The fifth member of the band, bassist/vocalist Benjamin Orr, died of pancreatic cancer in 2000.
Bandmates Elliot Easton and Greg Hawkes reteamed for a mini-Cars reunion in 2005, but failed to convince frontman Ric Ocasek and David Robinson to join them. Instead, they hit the road as The New Cars with Utopia stars Todd Rundgren, Prairie Prince and Kasim Sulton.
The new photo features Ocasek and Robinson and an accompanying caption reads: "Anyone in the mood for a reunion by The Cars?" The fifth member of the band, bassist/vocalist Benjamin Orr, died of pancreatic cancer in 2000.
- 7/27/2010
- by AceShowbiz.com
- Aceshowbiz
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