Another sad loss for rock and roll this weekend. Legendary The Cars frontman Ric Ocasek was found dead in his New York apartment yesterday. Sources tell the “New York Post” he was discovered unconscious and unresponsive by his estranged wife, model Paulina Porizkova. He was 75.
To review, the Cars released their self-titled debut album in 1978, which went on to sell six-million copies, and remain on the “Billboard” 200 album chart for 139 weeks. They released seven albums overall, selling over 23-million albums throughout their career. Their last release, 2011’s “Move Like This,” was the only one without bassist and singer, Benjamin Orr, who died in 2001 from pancreatic cancer.
The Cars catalog is vast – though they are best known for such songs “You Might Think,” which won them Video of the Year at the 1984 MTV VMAs, “Drive,” “Just What I Needed,” “My Best Friend’s Girl,” “Since You Been Gone,” “Shake It Up” and more. They were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2008.
As for Ocasek and Porizkova, the couple married in 1989, the singer’s third marriage, and they announced their separation in 2018, but remained close – even continuing to make appearances together. They have two sons together, and Ric has four other sons, two of each of his previous marriages.
- Many stars took to social media upon hearing the news of Ric’s death. Check out some of the reactions below:
Carnie Wilson✔@CarnieWilson
Ric Ocasek… I’m
so sad. The Cars are a big part of my musical love affair. He was amazing and will be missed. The music of The Cars will inspire people and move people forever. My prayers go to his family friends and all the fans.
el-p✔@therealelp
RIP Ric Ocasek
Richard Marx✔@richardmarx
Aw, man. RIP #ricocasek and thank you for the songs on “Heartbeat City” alone. You were a true original.
Mike Portnoy
✔@MikePortnoy
In the late 70’s, in between my obsessions for Kiss, the Ramones, The Clash & The Sex Pistols, I also was a big fan of The Pretenders, the B-52’s, the Police, Devo & The Cars…the 1st two albums are classics from start to finish. Sad to hear of Ric Ocasek’s passing #RIPRicOcasek
Kurt Loder✔@kurt_loder
RIP #RicOcasek Cars were the first band I saw that qualified as new wave — their synths and leathers were too pricey for pure punk. Long gone, of course, and now Ric too, a sweet guy. Suicide was one of several outside bands he produced: http://bit.ly/2kMjcFY
RainnWilson✔@rainnwilson
I’m stunned and saddened by the loss of Ric Ocasek – he was a visionary who affected the lives and hearts of everyone who listened to music in the 80s. God Speed, Ric! Keep Moving in Stereo!
Bette Midler✔@BetteMidler
#RickOcasek, leader of #TheCars, has died. Unbelievable. Their sound was the sound of a whole decade; biting, mischievous, lighthearted, sardonic and fun…wish we were all that young again…RIP until vinyl returns…xoxo…
Billy Idol✔@BillyIdol
Sorry 2 hear about #ricocasek RIP loved his work with the band #Suicide
So sad. Such a great writer, singer, play
