Ric Ocasek, singer for The Cars, dies at 75

By Dan Whitcomb

 

Producer Ric Ocasek arrives at the 2015 MusiCares Person of the Year tribute honoring Bob Dylan in Los Angeles, California February 6, 2015. REUTERS/Mario Anzuoni/Files

 

(Reuters) - Ric Ocasek, the idiosyncratic lead singer and chief songwriter of the 1970s and 80s hook-heavy hitmakers The Cars, died on Sunday at his home in Manhattan. He was 75.

 

Ocasek was pronounced dead at his townhouse after someone called 911 about 4 p.m. EDT (2000 GMT) to report that he was unresponsive, a New York Police Department spokesman said. The cause of death will be determined by the city's coroner.

 

His representatives could not be reached for comment on Sunday.

 

"So sad. Such a great writer, singer, player, producer," fellow classic rocker Peter Frampton said on Twitter of Ocasek. "My thoughts are with his family. Rest in peace."

 

Ocasek, born Richard Theodore Otcasek in Baltimore in 1944, met bass player and future band mate Benjamin Orr after moving to Cleveland for high school.

 

The pair joined with guitarist Elliot Easton, keyboard player Greg Hawkes and drummer David Robinson to form the Cars in mid-1970s Boston. Ocasek was the main songwriter, sang lead vocals on most songs and played rhythm guitar.

 

The band's self-titled debut album, featuring the singles "Just What I Needed," "My Best Friend's Girl" and "Good Times Roll," reached Number 18 on the Billboard album charts and put them on the leading edge of pop rock.

 

The Cars scored their first top-20 single, "Let's Go," in 1979 and launched a succession of hits throughout the 1980s such as "Shake It Up" and "Drive," always identifiable through Ocasek's distinctive vocals.

 

The band split up in 1988, and Orr died of pancreatic cancer at age 53 in 2000. The surviving members reunited for a final album, "Move Like This," in 2010.

 

The band was inducted into the Rock 'n' Roll Hall of Fame in 2018.

 

After the final dissolution of the Cars, Ocasek, who often spoke of his dislike for touring, produced dozens of albums, released solo material, wrote poetry and made visual art.

 

Ocasek was married three times and had six sons, two from each relationship.

 

His third wife, supermodel Paulina Porizkova, announced in May 2018 that the couple had separated after 28 years of marriage.

 

(Reporting by Dan Whitcomb in Los Angeles; Editing by Sandra Maler and Gerry Doyle)

 

-- © Copyright Reuters 2019-09-16

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4 minutes ago, webfact said:

Ocasek, born Richard Theodore Otcasek

Deed poll or typo?

I liked his music, light and feel good, but still rock. They were still relevant at the start of the video era and made some classic music videos. Notably, You Might Think. 

Let the good times roll Rick, thanks for the tunes.

Just now, wgdanson said:

Deed poll or typo?

Not a typo.  He changed his name.  His three sons by his first wife still have the surname Otcasek, while the younger two are named Ocasek.

The Cars were a great band for their time.  RIP.

 

RIP

Just now, webfact said:

 

RIP

Arguably their best known song, it was their biggest international hit.  Written by Ocasek, but sung by bassist, and co-founder of the band, Benjamin Orr, who passed away in 2000 aged just 53.

RIP

... and  Best Friend's Girl by his side?  ???? 

Listening to the Complete Elektra Years box set right now.  They really had hit after hit after hit.  

Edited September 16, 20196 yr by Airalee

wow this is sad for me. i used to edit music videos in the 80's.  you had to be there.

Edited September 16, 20196 yr by NCC1701A

1 hour ago, ballpoint said:

His three sons by his first wife still have the surname Otcasek, while the younger two are named Ocasek.

Just read on BBC that he was married three times, and had two sons with each. 

You just do not know who to believe these days.

 

Just now, wgdanson said:

Just read on BBC that he was married three times, and had two sons with each. 

You just do not know who to believe these days.

 

Yep.  Some sites say 5 sons, some say 6, but at least two of them have the surname Otcasek, and one Otsacek.  Very strange:

 

 

 

 

 

Another great artist who has left us, I love his music, his voice and his guitar’s sound.

make me feel nostalgy of these  olds and magics years.

 

for the good times!...

 

 

My Cars favourite

 

 

One from his post Cars days:

 

Would see him often walking around the Village in lower Manhattan where his townhouse was on 18th Street.

 

 

 

 

Loved The Cars and Ric. Saw the band twice live. Great muzak and seemed a cool dude. Sad news.