Mid-Week Song

 

Boston-bred new wave band The Cars were one of the most influential and listened to groups from the late '70 on. Their main songwriter and singer Ric Ocasek, who passed away in 2019, would have celebrated his 78th birthday today. He later produced albums by Weezer, Bad Brains and No Doubt, among others. His band's own contribution reads like a soundtrack of the late '70s and '80s, from "Just What I Needed," "Shake It Up," to today's song, "Drive," their biggest international hit. As many who've followed the band know, the "Drive" video features Czech supermodel Paulina Porizkova, who would later become Ocasek's wife, as well as lead singer Benjamin Orr (née Orzechowski) who died in 2000. Enjoy.

Mid-Week Tribute Songs: Ric Ocasek

The lead singer and composer for The Cars, the iconic "new wave" rock band of the '70s and '80s, Ric Ocasek died last Sunday at the age of 75 of cardiovascular disease in New York City. His style -- personal and musical -- set him and his band apart from the crowd of disco and hair bands of that era. Their eponymous debut album spawned three top ten hits and was one of the most successful debut albums of all time, powered by Ocasek's hook-laden compositions.

The Cars were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2018, and after the band broke up, Ocasek became a sought-after record producer to many bands and artists, offering guidance and encouragement. His sudden death prompted tributes from across the music and entertainment business, including a heartfelt one by Stephen Colbert shown below. RIP to a groundbreaking composer and musician.

Off of their debut album, "My Best Friend's Girl":



On Ocasek's "Drive," bandmate Benjamin Orr sings the lead vocals, and Ocasek's wife-to-be, model Paulina Porzikova, is featured.



Colbert remembers Ric Ocasek: