I got married in November 1979 and my wife and I took our first road trip in June 1980. We followed her parents and siblings to Disney World. They were towing a travel trailer and the National speed limit was 55. We drove a ‘77 Camaro LT that I had recently installed a new radio / cassette deck in. It was a Sanyo Bi Amp unit and had Sanyo Triaxial speakers. I couldn’t afford the Jensens. The only thing that allowed us to keep our sanity on that slow ride was to let Candy O loop over and over. When I hear Let’s Go and It’s AllI Can Do I’m right back on that trip with the love of my life. I lost her to cancer 3 years ago. Now when I hear these songs I’m elated at first and then end up in tears before they finish. R.I.P Ben, Ric and my beautiful Rhonda Lynn.
So sorry for the loss of your beloved bride. I lost my husband last October. It is tough. You have those wonderful memories like I do with my husband. Sounds like you are blessed. I am as well. My name is Teri. Using my beloveds UA-cam account.
@@garylefevers Thank you Teri. I'm sorry for your loss. Losing a spouse is like nothing else. Yes, I am blessed. Blessed to have been able to share life with the best person I've ever known. Take care.
I’m with ya Steve… sorry for your loss. My wife died about 6.5 years ago to colin cancer. I understand more than you might believe. I am also a song leader at church and there are still a number of songs I just can’t lead anymore. I still hear my Sandy singing them and I don’t want to cause people focus on me, because it’s not about me. Some certain rock songs help break me outta the blues when I go there.
The Cars debut album vs. the Boston debut album is one of those debates over which one is better that will never end... Both are just awesome and never get old!
Oh man, what memories The Cars' debut album brings back. In 1981, my sister went on a trip with some friends and left her 1972 Orange Datsun 240z home with the keys. Our parents were out for the day, and I was bored, so I did what all fifteen-year-old brothers would do: I took the Z for a joy ride. I grabbed the keys and jumped in. Since we both shared the same taste in music, I grabbed the cassette of their debut album, slid it into the 7162 Alpine Stereo, and found my favorite song, 'Moving In Stereo.' I drove around the park and local hotspots for hours. A week later, my sister asked me if I had taken her car, and I confessed. I wondered how she found out, and she said that several of her friends had seen it driving around the park for hours and looked like a blonde kid driving it. She never told my parents.
I always love the band. After my brothers death last year. I stumbled back on The Cars and haven't looked back. I loved Benjamin Orr then and still to this day. The Cars fandom has really helped me get through the grief process for my brother. 17 months to the day i lost him, i lost me dad. Again, i have The Cars music bringing me the only bit of joy i can count on. This group of 5 men will never know how much they have helped me and I''m Sure countless others like me make through the rough patches of our lives. Thanks for highlighting them!
I think we took the Cars for granted in the 80’s and never appreciated their brilliance until many years later. Today’s song is 45 years old, and I still love it.
I was born in "65 and we definitely took music for granted because almost everything that played on the radio was exceptional and people generally enjoyed all the genres. The Cars and Boston were a huge part of enjoying life.
I am a music nerd, and I always knew Ric Ocasek was great, he also produced bands that were obscure, he had a great appreciation for stuff that was not on the radio, like Bad Brains, and Suicide.
When I turned 17, I called the local radio station in Cleveland, OH to request Let's Go! The DJ told me that he'd play it within the hour because it was my 17th birthday! I stayed by my radio and had a tape ready to record it! He announced that it was a birthday present for a caller and then let it rip! One of the best days of my life!
I am almost 60 years old, I have heard music for decades, and Let's Go by The Cars will always be my favorite song of all time. Great job Professor of Rock!
@@michaelrouthier8491Stay the night was a top 40 “pop” hit and a top “10” rock hit. I wish others would have charted. “Too hot to stop” was really good.
The Cars first two albums were truly historic. I can attest as I was 18 in 1978, and I'm sure most will agree: a college freshman from any pre-2000 generation had their finger on the pulse of what was cool... NOBODY sounded like the Cars in 1978, it was such a new and fresh sound!
Absolutely. I was 16 in 1978 and I remember these incredible albums. They really did take popular music in a new direction -- ushering in the Punk era and the New Wave era. They were the first.
I was right in between you two at 17🎉and I played The Cars 1st album and Parallel Lines almost til the grooves wore out, my sister heard them constantly from hee room before and after school! We both love them both❤
@chuckmann3593 well the music was great but I'd say to be an adult in the 80s was magnificent ✨️🥳 I will always be an 80s girl! The music 🎶 was just starting to become fantastic and the Cars, Blondie and the Police were our starting point! Then soooo many amazing bands, and even regular radio stations "rock" became the legendary kind 💯👏🌟 I'd say 20s again and yes, even 30s!!❣️
The Cars were the band that my father and I bonded over the most. My most cherished memories are driving around in my dad's 1977 Dodge Dart blasting Let's Go along with all the other songs from the first two albums. We never got tired of those cassettes. The Cars are in my DNA. Always will be.
The cover art of the Candy-O album was painted by Alberto Vargas, who has retired a few years earlier, bu was persuade to take on the assignment by his niece who was a huge Cars fan.
His legendary pinup art was featured in nearly every issue of Playboy from 1959 to around 1975 when he retired. They were often printed on the reverse side of the centerfold. But he actually began painting this type of art in the 1920s!
To me "All Mixed UP" will always be the greatest Cars song. Both sad, and happy, great drumming, and a sublime Alto Sax jam at the end. Gives me the chills every time. A song worthy of an episode unto itself. I think The Cars would be hugely popular if they just busted onto the scene now. Great episode.
I love All Mixed Up! Strangely I think it’s their one song off the debut that still sounds like it’s from the 70’s…the rest of those songs sound like “the future”. 😂
I agree that All Mixed Up is worthy of an episode too. I listened to their first 2 albums endlessly, both sides - all the songs! All Mixed Up has a special place in my heart though! ❤️
@@ProfessorofRock Thanks. Ric was very active on the scene until he passed, producing and doing work with younger bands. I think he really missed Ben though.
I basically bought the first album by mistake when I was around 12 years old, and immediately fell in love with this band. The Cars are criminally under-appreciated in the rock world.
I'm not so sure I would agree. At least not up here in the great white north. I doubt I could find anyone who doesn't love them. I would bet at least one in 3 from my generation have st least the Greatest Hits. Canada loves the Cars. I kinda claim them as my own as do many Canucks.
These guys were so good. I'm so glad they got into the hall. They were pioneers. Fantastic music. Two vocalists. Hours of great music. Thanks for this episode, professor.
Benjamin Orr died of pancreatic cancer at his home in Atlanta on October 3, 2000, at the age of 53. He was to young but left us with a lifetime's worth of great music. Ric Ocasek died of heart disease, specifically hypertensive and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, with pulmonary emphysema as a contributing condition. September 15, 2019. Ric was 75 years old. Their first two albums were far better than their greatest hits album. Every true Cars fan would agree. But I liked other tunes from them too. Thanks "Professor" for a kickass video. Been a Cars fan since they came out. Peace.. Joe
Great episode. I'm 71 years old and the Cars were one of my favorite bands back in the day. But shockingly, today is the first time I ever heard of Benjamin Orr. 😳😳
My first dance with my future wife was this song…and 35 years into our marriage it’s still “our song.” Thanks for the memories Benjamin, Rick and the gang.
Another great Cars handclapper is Bye Bye Love! So many of their songs are addictive, quirky, with fun lyrics and weird synthesizer and guitar riffs, but great musicianship.
One of my favorite songs is a Benjamin Orr solo song called Stay The Night. I was going through a breakup with my first love at that time as she just wanted something else, and I was wrecked. I used to drive around listening to music that spoke to me, and this song used to tear into me and tore me down, but for some reason going into the pain deeper always helped get me through it. This song was both haunting and genius, and to this day, it brings back that sadness that I actually cherish because somehow being able to feel deep emotions just feels so healing - even sad ones.
The Cars were more than a band, they were a force that changed music for the better. The 80's were the best decade for music and it was all "jump started" by their creative, fun, unique sound.
That’s an overstatement. The cars are just part of the early 80s sound but then became like a really synthetic and annoying band. The only redeeming member of the band was Benjamin. His songs are the best of the cars. He was fantastic. But when the 80s started, it was journey escape it was Michael Jackson. It was Prince. It was a whole new wave thing it was Missing Persons. We can go on and on the kickstart that decade, including other big hits Ghostbusters end Lionel Richie jams I mean, it’s such an amazing first part of the 80s, but the 80s were over by the late 80s in fact they might’ve been over by 86, 87. In retrospect 80s as a decade was half utterly fantastic and half horrid.
They were a band made for MTV. I loved their videos and I think Magic stands out for me. Things must've been going good b/c that song and video brings nothing but happy thoughts for me.
I beg to differ as to it being even REMOTELY, 'the best' - for MULTIPLE reasons; MUCH of the decade's sound was constructed upon a RELIABLE 50's-60's-70's foundation (Duran a PARTICULAR example, though predominantly Colin Thurston, Alex Sadkin & Nile Rodgers had GOOD instincts to make THEIRS, timeless) but, even WITH extensive remastering of CERTAIN songs, artists since - they STILL sound extremely dated and / or THINLY produced; lacking 'gravitas' or LASTING sonic (i.e., ASIDE from [sub]cultural) impact, UNLike those preceding it and the Nineties ESPECIALLY.....really WASN'T until Split Enz's "One Step Ahead" (although "I Got You" had planted a seed) and the Tubes' two-post Remote Control albums that I started coming to terms with so-CALLED 'New Wave' - indeed, though liking "Train In Vain" and to a lesser extent, "Alone In The Supermarket" utterly HATED the Clash; SO many of those 'snot-nosed' punks - LIKE disco [ironically] it was SHAMED down album rock listeners' THROATS then by NOXIOUS creatures such as Malcolm McLaren & Kim Fowley (ASK Cherie Currie about HIM.....)
I first met the members of the Cars in 1982 at the US Festival in San Bernardino Heart, Cheap Trick, The Motels, Pat Benatar Santana, B-52, Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, Eddie Money 💰 and the the Kinks.
Always been proud & admired The Cars from my Boston early years! Benjamin Orr deserves all the accolades for his co-founding the band & his exceptional vocals and bass playing….♥️🎶
Their song, "Drive" is magic for me. It's one of those that should have been, oh, a half hour long. It has a calming, soothing effect on me somehow, even the lyrics seem to offer the comfort of an old friend always looking out for you. It sings to me.
The Cars are truly one of my all-time favorites. Candy-O was my introduction to them and remains my favorite Cars album. The triplex of Double Life to Shoo-be-Doo to the title cut of Candy-O with each song transitioning seamlessly into each other is one of the greatest moments of mixing and recording in my opinion. And of course I loved Let's Go as well.
I Love The Cars! I love every track of every album! My favorite track is "Heartbeat City." That song is not only a sonic adventure, Jacquie was the name of a young woman that I loved, and things just didn't work out for us. Benjamin Orr does not get enough credit as a phenomenal vocalist.
I put on my vintage Cars Heartbeat City T-shirt this morning, and was delighted to see Benjamin Orr's handsome face on this video's thumbnail! Oh yeah! The Cars forever!!
I think younger generations don't get the Disco thing because they can't grasp the fact that the only place to hear popular music, new music, was on the radio. And popular radio stations played all the music. The Rock, the Pop, the Funk, the Motown, the Disco. And so when Disco became ultra popular, all the bands began to play it. Including the Rock bands!! 😮 Including Rod Stewart (who had been Rock to that point), the Rolling Stones, Paul Mccartney, Pink Floyd and even KISS had Disco songs. (And there were more.) That was when it became too much, and the Comiskey Park thing happened.
When I hear 'Just what I needed', it immediately puts me in my grandparents' backyard with my cousin trying to convince him it was a new band that gonna blow up🤯 1978 is one of the years for landmark albums.😎
The Cars first 2 albums bring back my best memories of being 18 and 19 washing my car and rocking out! I never tire of the music and the sweet moments i now cherish. Such a great band! RIP Ric and Ben. ❤
In my eyes the cars saved rock and roll from the disco funk. And agree that Benjaman Orrs voice was smooth and awesome. Great memories for me listening to them while cruising.
POR you forgot to mention the Cars induction into the Rock&Roll Hall of Fame in August 2018. I remember watching it. Sadly Benjamin Orr had already passed on Oct 4, 2000. Rick OCasek and the remaining band mates gave a heartfelt tribute to Benjamin. I had tickets to see the Cars back in January 1983 at Richfield Coliseum here in Ohio. Our winter weather was so bad with icy roads. The concert was cancelled. I was heart broken! The Cars were one of my favorite & still is! Oh how I would have loved to see them in concert with Benjamin. To fill the void, I'm reduced to finding their performances on YT that others have graciously uploaded. Benjamin Or is buried about an hour or so drive from where I live. It's one of my Bucket List items to go pay my respects!
Definitely one of the top 5 American bands in my estimation. Jumping from one triumph to the next from the start, and with the stones to switch directions on Panorama, then change up again.
The Cars took me along for the ride during my college and post college years. I started college in September of 1978. I remember walking into the student union building and hearing Just What I Needed on the jukebox. My reaction was "Whoa! What the hell is this???" I knew I was hearing the future, and it was so refreshing to listen to something other than the Bee Gees. Fast forward to March, 1984. I finally finished college and started the process of becoming an adult. I moved to the Dallas/Ft Worth area to start my post college journey. I had no family or friends nearby and even though I was excited, I was also a bit lonely. I was driving down the freeway and You Might Think came on. It felt like an old friend had shown up and it really put me at ease. The rest of the album took me through the glorious summer of 1984 and beyond - what an incredible piece of work! Thank you Elliot, Greg, and David. Ben and Ric, y'all are sorely missed!
My first introduction to The Cars was their 1984 album, "Heartbeat City". But, through classic rock stations and the release of their Greatest Hits album, I became familiar with their older material, and "Let's Go" was one of my favorites among those. And, yes, I admit that I was clapping along with it too. LOL
Let's Go is my favorite Cars song! There is no other band like them. I used to have trouble telling Ric and Ben's voices apart, but after enough listens, it becomes more obvious. Great video, Professor!
You say everything I want to say about this band, and particular song, in such a detailed way. You speak my language. I have always been a major supporter of The Cars, and especially love that they’re from Boston, my home town. When I first heard their music, I was completely blown away! It just doesn’t get old. It just keeps getting better every time I listen to it. You have such good material that you put out on this channel, so thank you, thank you!
the Cars music was really awesome and all of the band members made their sound perfect and their lyrics were easy to sing along with and I never considered them new wave they were just a great rock n roll band thanks for the great rock n roll memories Professor. 🎶🎤🎸🎸🎹🥁🎶
DUDE! I'm getting a real love-hate for your channel. We really had the best music in the "Rock Era" and you're reminding me I'm old. But what the heck, I'm not even ready for retirement and had a great life. So, Love your channel! Keep it up! And yes, I've already been to your patreon section.
Benjamin Orr singing Drive makes me stop whatever I’m doing and sends me back to a certain place in time with a certain girl. That moment is forever frozen in time and never changes. Hope you are well Nancy.
This may be my all time favorite breakdown from the Professor. What a great song from a truly great band-and what a great personal story. Thanks for sharing your connection to this classic.
Let’s not forget to pay homage to one of the greatest guitarists in rock history…Mr. Elliot Easton…Didn’t know he was from Brooklyn, NY until i saw a ‘free’ concert in Coney Island (Brooklyn, NY back) in the late ‘90’s. The headliner was Creedance Clearwater Revisted (a reformed CCR) they introduced the guitarist as “and on guitar, you’ve probably heard of this group, he played with THE CARS, one of Brooklyn’s own…Elliot Easton”. Being from Brooklyn, i thought that was so cool at the time. Elliot is an amazing guitarist, musician, songwriter, who was inducted into the RRHOF with THE CARS back in 2018
This is one of the best videos you've produced. I loved the Cars mainly for the colour in their music which had a reminiscent quality and really exceptional vocals
Professor of Rock you're a man after my own heart!!! My Fave Band Hands Down...yep Ben has more of a country voice the way he says words I think and Ric a Buddy Holly type way of singing...Benjamin Orr The Most Gorgeous Guy To Ever Live...Thank You POR For Honoring Them Again ❤🏁🚗💨💯
I adored Ben Orr. His voice was unforgettable, he had such a steady, cool stage presence and of course he was magically handsome. So sad that he passed away at such a young age.
Love the Cars! Steve Miller’s “Go On Take The Money and Run” has a famous clap part in it twice and me, my wife and son always participate. One day in a small collectibles store it came on and when the three of us clapped along the entire store started laughing and commenting how cool it was that we all do it no matter where we are. Keep up the great work Adam, I really enjoy your channel.
I am of the opinion that the 70’s was actually the greatest decade for music! The 80’s would have been sad without the 70’s artists that played through the 80’s! I lived both!
The Cars always takes me back to high school. I graduated in '84 and my friends and I would listen to all of their cassettes/albums, not quite incessantly!
The Cars are my guilty pleasure, their music just makes you feel good. It takes me back to a more innocent time as a kid in the 70s. They had a sound all their own that has not been duplicated, I am I got to experience their music from the beginning. RIP Ric and Benjamin
Cars remains one of my favorite bands ever and I always thought Rick Ocasek did most of the singing. It wasn't until several years of listening to them that I realized that Benjamin Orr was the lead singer on most of the songs that I really liked. I'll tell you what, it's something special to crank up "Moving in Stereo" on a great system and listen to it while you have been smoking a left-handed cigarette. I even had Rick Ocasek's solo album on cassette. 😁👍
I love your enthusiasm for The Cars, my favorite band since my older brother Tim introduced me to their debut album sometime in the late 70s. Thanks for once again doing them proud with your incomparable commentary on one of the greatest songs in Rock N Roll.
It's all mixed up ❤ Met Benjamin Orr in the elevator at an Insurance Co. I worked at and he was renewing a policy, he was physically beautiful and so sweet and yes, soft spoken ❤️
My earliest memory of The Cars was hearing "Let the Good Times Roll" and "Best Friends Girl" on AM radio. Great band, and not a single bad song on their greatest hits!!!
Good memories of The Cars. My buddy in HS introduced me to their first album. The day Candy-O was released I picked it up and that evening I went cruising with my buddy (RIP Doug) cranking Let's Go in my 75 Chevelle's tape player. 🎼🎶🎵🎶🤙 Good Times!
Oh man, The Cars is at the top of my favorites list on any given day. I remember cruising Main Street in high school with my friend listening to all the Cars music. It crushed me when Ben passed. Of course I bought his excellent solo album. Extraordinary band that I never tire of.
The Cars were a, just have fun group. They, like most of the good group's, had a very individual sound. When you heard a new song, you knew who it was, very quickly. Grat show.
The Cars are my all-time favorite band. _Candy-O_ is an amazing album, and contains what might be my favorite Cars tune: "Dangerous Type." _Heartbeat City_ is my favorite album of theirs.
I saw The Cars in Denver in 1983. I didn’t expect much because I wasn’t a big fan. They put on a great show. All five members are brilliant musicians and the vocals were outstanding.
I just watched a interview with KISS that aired on Halloween 1979 - Ace Frehley has the most hilarious sense of humor and a signature laugh that’s infectious 🤣🤣🤣🤣 Professor you gotta interview Ace !
Poll: What is your pick for the MOST ADDICTIVE SONG of the ROCK ERA?
Drive.
Well there's plenty of good choices, my go to pick is California Girls.
Cars - Just What I Needed
@@Code.Name.V Great choice.
Ace of Spades by Motorhead.
I got married in November 1979 and my wife and I took our first road trip in June 1980. We followed her parents and siblings to Disney World. They were towing a travel trailer and the National speed limit was 55. We drove a ‘77 Camaro LT that I had recently installed a new radio / cassette deck in. It was a Sanyo Bi Amp unit and had Sanyo Triaxial speakers. I couldn’t afford the Jensens. The only thing that allowed us to keep our sanity on that slow ride was to let Candy O loop over and over. When I hear Let’s Go and It’s AllI Can Do I’m right back on that trip with the love of my life. I lost her to cancer 3 years ago. Now when I hear these songs I’m elated at first and then end up in tears before they finish. R.I.P Ben, Ric and my beautiful Rhonda Lynn.
So sorry for the loss of your beloved bride. I lost my husband last October. It is tough. You have those wonderful memories like I do with my husband. Sounds like you are blessed. I am as well. My name is Teri. Using my beloveds UA-cam account.
@@garylefevers Thank you Teri. I'm sorry for your loss. Losing a spouse is like nothing else. Yes, I am blessed. Blessed to have been able to share life with the best person I've ever known. Take care.
❤❤
I’m with ya Steve… sorry for your loss. My wife died about 6.5 years ago to colin cancer. I understand more than you might believe. I am also a song leader at church and there are still a number of songs I just can’t lead anymore. I still hear my Sandy singing them and I don’t want to cause people focus on me, because it’s not about me. Some certain rock songs help break me outta the blues when I go there.
I feel for your loss. May God bless you.
I loved this band! As an old guy, we never knew how good we had it musically from the '60's through the '80's.
R.I.P. Ben and Ric.
The Cars debut album vs. the Boston debut album is one of those debates over which one is better that will never end... Both are just awesome and never get old!
Both from the same city!
Absolutely two of the best bands ever, and I feel lucky that I got the chance to see one of them live!
I'd have to add America's debut to that list
Boston by a mile!
That city had the ABC bands all at the same time. Aerosmith, Boston, the Cars.
The Cars and Blondie rode that crossover wave like surf pros. Two of the best out of that era. Love your content, sir.
💗
Devo was good too.
Oh man, what memories The Cars' debut album brings back.
In 1981, my sister went on a trip with some friends and left her 1972 Orange Datsun 240z home with the keys. Our parents were out for the day, and I was bored, so I did what all fifteen-year-old brothers would do: I took the Z for a joy ride. I grabbed the keys and jumped in. Since we both shared the same taste in music, I grabbed the cassette of their debut album, slid it into the 7162 Alpine Stereo, and found my favorite song, 'Moving In Stereo.' I drove around the park and local hotspots for hours.
A week later, my sister asked me if I had taken her car, and I confessed. I wondered how she found out, and she said that several of her friends had seen it driving around the park for hours and looked like a blonde kid driving it. She never told my parents.
Thanks for sharing!
240Z and the Cars? Definite recipe for fun!
Awesome story!!
Seems like a super cool sister.
That is such a classic Gen X story lol
Love Benjamin Orr. Love "Drive". One of my favorite songs ever. So sorry that he's gone. And those beautiful, sleepy eyes.
Benjamin Orr, wow. He had the voice, the looks. He just looked chill. Still love him, and I'm 70 now.
Drive....oh what a song.
He had an incredible solo song called “stay the night” that was just *chefs kiss*.
@@mik1of3 I haven't heard it. I'll look it up.
Yes we liked Stay the Night too. Rip Ben Orr.
I always love the band. After my brothers death last year. I stumbled back on The Cars and haven't looked back. I loved Benjamin Orr then and still to this day. The Cars fandom has really helped me get through the grief process for my brother. 17 months to the day i lost him, i lost me dad. Again, i have The Cars music bringing me the only bit of joy i can count on. This group of 5 men will never know how much they have helped me and I''m Sure countless others like me make through the rough patches of our lives. Thanks for highlighting them!
I think we took the Cars for granted in the 80’s and never appreciated their brilliance until many years later. Today’s song is 45 years old, and I still love it.
I was born in "65 and we definitely took music for granted because almost everything that played on the radio was exceptional and people generally enjoyed all the genres. The Cars and Boston were a huge part of enjoying life.
Still love the Cars never took them for granted
I am a music nerd, and I always knew Ric Ocasek was great, he also produced bands that were obscure, he had a great appreciation for stuff that was not on the radio, like Bad Brains, and Suicide.
@@ross2812 Agrred. Looking back I think we all took music I. The ‘70’s and ‘80s for granted.
When I turned 17, I called the local radio station in Cleveland, OH to request Let's Go! The DJ told me that he'd play it within the hour because it was my 17th birthday! I stayed by my radio and had a tape ready to record it! He announced that it was a birthday present for a caller and then let it rip! One of the best days of my life!
I am almost 60 years old, I have heard music for decades, and Let's Go by The Cars will always be my favorite song of all time. Great job Professor of Rock!
im 62, feeling the age,for sure. but the music helps dont it my friend
One of the greatest bands. So many hits and the writing was 2nd to none. Amazing. Thanks guys.
Can't go wrong with The Cars. I do like how they blended so many styles together. It made them stand out in a crowded scene.
One of a kind! I love rare and unique things!
Rock on Terrick!
I was really impressed with “Sad Song” from 2011. Before that The Cars hadn’t released an album since 1987, crazy.
@@MinnMorkeAgreed. That was a good album. It probably would have been a big hit if it had come out in the late 80's.
door to door for me is the best, but i love all ric albums
The early 80's summers would not be for me without The Cars playing in the background on the radio.
Ben Orr's solo album is a jewel. Hunt it down!!! We were denied such wonderful future music with his and Ric's passing.
I had both The Lace and Ric’s This Side of Paradise in heavy rotation back in ‘86. The Lace is one I still play til this day. Great, underrated album!
@@michaelrouthier8491Stay the night was a top 40 “pop” hit and a top “10” rock hit. I wish others would have charted. “Too hot to stop” was really good.
Stay the night still sounds soooo good!
I remember “stay the night”
The Lace is a great album!
Benjamin had me at Let's Go. Definitely one of my favorite musicians of that era. RIP Ben and Ric. Their performance at Live Aid was masterful.
The Cars first two albums were truly historic. I can attest as I was 18 in 1978, and I'm sure most will agree: a college freshman from any pre-2000 generation had their finger on the pulse of what was cool... NOBODY sounded like the Cars in 1978, it was such a new and fresh sound!
Absolutely. I was 16 in 1978 and I remember these incredible albums. They really did take popular music in a new direction -- ushering in the Punk era and the New Wave era. They were the first.
I was right in between you two at 17🎉and I played The Cars 1st album and Parallel Lines almost til the grooves wore out, my sister heard them constantly from hee room before and after school! We both love them both❤
@@pattysims7236 To this day, the Cars first album, Blondie's Parallel Lines, and the Pretenders first album are my favorites. Oh to be 18 again...
@chuckmann3593 well the music was great but I'd say to be an adult in the 80s was magnificent ✨️🥳 I will always be an 80s girl! The music 🎶 was just starting to become fantastic and the Cars, Blondie and the Police were our starting point! Then soooo many amazing bands, and even regular radio stations "rock" became the legendary kind 💯👏🌟 I'd say 20s again and yes, even 30s!!❣️
The Cars were the band that my father and I bonded over the most. My most cherished memories are driving around in my dad's 1977 Dodge Dart blasting Let's Go along with all the other songs from the first two albums. We never got tired of those cassettes. The Cars are in my DNA. Always will be.
I can listen to The Cars any time, anywhere! So great! Such a loss of Benjamin Orr and Rick Ocasek.
I heard someone once say about the Cars was that everyone liked them: jocks, stoners, cowboys, geeks, everybody. So true.
The cover art of the Candy-O album was painted by Alberto Vargas, who has retired a few years earlier, bu was persuade to take on the assignment by his niece who was a huge Cars fan.
That's right! You know your history!
Thank you A brilliant cover
What he didn't mention was that Vargas drew a "bunny" in color for Playboy magazine for many years. Tasteful if course
His legendary pinup art was featured in nearly every issue of Playboy from 1959 to around 1975 when he retired. They were often printed on the reverse side of the centerfold. But he actually began painting this type of art in the 1920s!
I thought that was an image of a real woman.
To me "All Mixed UP" will always be the greatest Cars song. Both sad, and happy, great drumming, and a sublime Alto Sax jam at the end. Gives me the chills every time. A song worthy of an episode unto itself. I think The Cars would be hugely popular if they just busted onto the scene now. Great episode.
There's a really great cover of All Mixed Up. Red House Painters. Very different from the original but it works well.
I love All Mixed Up! Strangely I think it’s their one song off the debut that still sounds like it’s from the 70’s…the rest of those songs sound like “the future”. 😂
I agree that All Mixed Up is worthy of an episode too. I listened to their first 2 albums endlessly, both sides - all the songs! All Mixed Up has a special place in my heart though! ❤️
All Mixed Up is one of my favorite Cars songs. An entire episode would be great.
Definitely agree. It wraps the album up beautifully. It's also their hardest and darkest song.
RIP Ric Ocasek. Everytime I'm in his neighborhood a Cars song comes on. Tall dude, you couldn't miss him. Ric was the coolest.
Very cool! Tell us more!
@@ProfessorofRock Thanks. Ric was very active on the scene until he passed, producing and doing work with younger bands. I think he really missed Ben though.
Saw him and Paulina in New Orleans when my ex wife and I were on our honeymoon.
Sunday marks five years since he left us.
Orr was the catalyst
Another good video, thank you. Orr was a great talent. The Cars were terrific and much needed in the late 70s and early 80s.
I basically bought the first album by mistake when I was around 12 years old, and immediately fell in love with this band. The Cars are criminally under-appreciated in the rock world.
I'm not so sure I would agree. At least not up here in the great white north. I doubt I could find anyone who doesn't love them. I would bet at least one in 3 from my generation have st least the Greatest Hits.
Canada loves the Cars. I kinda claim them as my own as do many Canucks.
Benjamin Orr was a gift- very talented guy.....was definitely my favorite Car.
These guys were so good. I'm so glad they got into the hall. They were pioneers. Fantastic music. Two vocalists. Hours of great music. Thanks for this episode, professor.
The Cars music is so contemporary that I’ve seen young people hearing them for the first time think they’re a great new band!
So great to be alive back then! Loved the Cars
Amen!
Benjamin Orr died of pancreatic cancer at his home in Atlanta on October 3, 2000, at the age of 53.
He was to young but left us with a lifetime's worth of great music.
Ric Ocasek died of heart disease, specifically hypertensive and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, with pulmonary emphysema as a contributing condition. September 15, 2019. Ric was 75 years old.
Their first two albums were far better than their greatest hits album. Every true Cars fan would agree. But I liked other tunes from them too. Thanks "Professor" for a kickass video. Been a Cars fan since they came out. Peace.. Joe
Great episode. I'm 71 years old and the Cars were one of my favorite bands back in the day. But shockingly, today is the first time I ever heard of Benjamin Orr. 😳😳
My first dance with my future wife was this song…and 35 years into our marriage it’s still “our song.” Thanks for the memories Benjamin, Rick and the gang.
Another great Cars handclapper is Bye Bye Love! So many of their songs are addictive, quirky, with fun lyrics and weird synthesizer and guitar riffs, but great musicianship.
Since 1978 Bye Bye Love has been my fave and the transition to Moving In Stereo is perfect!
It's funny… I clicked on this out of nostalgia but then realized just how timeless uniquely great music truly can be.
One of my favorite songs is a Benjamin Orr solo song called Stay The Night. I was going through a breakup with my first love at that time as she just wanted something else, and I was wrecked. I used to drive around listening to music that spoke to me, and this song used to tear into me and tore me down, but for some reason going into the pain deeper always helped get me through it. This song was both haunting and genius, and to this day, it brings back that sadness that I actually cherish because somehow being able to feel deep emotions just feels so healing - even sad ones.
Love Stay the night!!
The Cars were more than a band, they were a force that changed music for the better. The 80's were the best decade for music and it was all "jump started" by their creative, fun, unique sound.
I couldn't agree more!
That’s an overstatement. The cars are just part of the early 80s sound but then became like a really synthetic and annoying band. The only redeeming member of the band was Benjamin. His songs are the best of the cars. He was fantastic.
But when the 80s started, it was journey escape it was Michael Jackson. It was Prince. It was a whole new wave thing it was Missing Persons. We can go on and on the kickstart that decade, including other big hits Ghostbusters end Lionel Richie jams I mean, it’s such an amazing first part of the 80s, but the 80s were over by the late 80s in fact they might’ve been over by 86, 87.
In retrospect 80s as a decade was half utterly fantastic and half horrid.
NO WAY!! The 60's and 70's were THE BEST DECADES for music 😊 ❤
They were a band made for MTV. I loved their videos and I think Magic stands out for me. Things must've been going good b/c that song and video brings nothing but happy thoughts for me.
I beg to differ as to it being even REMOTELY, 'the best' - for MULTIPLE reasons; MUCH of the decade's sound was constructed upon a RELIABLE 50's-60's-70's foundation (Duran a PARTICULAR example, though predominantly Colin Thurston, Alex Sadkin & Nile Rodgers had GOOD instincts to make THEIRS, timeless) but, even WITH extensive remastering of CERTAIN songs, artists since - they STILL sound extremely dated and / or THINLY produced; lacking 'gravitas' or LASTING sonic (i.e., ASIDE from [sub]cultural) impact, UNLike those preceding it and the Nineties ESPECIALLY.....really WASN'T until Split Enz's "One Step Ahead" (although "I Got You" had planted a seed) and the Tubes' two-post Remote Control albums that I started coming to terms with so-CALLED 'New Wave' - indeed, though liking "Train In Vain" and to a lesser extent, "Alone In The Supermarket" utterly HATED the Clash; SO many of those 'snot-nosed' punks - LIKE disco [ironically] it was SHAMED down album rock listeners' THROATS then by NOXIOUS creatures such as Malcolm McLaren & Kim Fowley (ASK Cherie Currie about HIM.....)
I first met the members of the Cars in 1982 at the US Festival in San Bernardino Heart, Cheap Trick, The Motels, Pat Benatar Santana, B-52, Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, Eddie Money 💰 and the the Kinks.
Damn! That IS a festival!
YES!
Man, I passed on that concert because The weather forecast called for a 100° day... Big regret!
@@flavellinator d'oh! 😖
@@Code.Name.V Damn Skippy
Always been proud & admired The Cars from my Boston early years! Benjamin Orr deserves all the accolades for his co-founding the band & his exceptional vocals and bass playing….♥️🎶
Their song, "Drive" is magic for me. It's one of those that should have been, oh, a half hour long. It has a calming, soothing effect on me somehow, even the lyrics seem to offer the comfort of an old friend always looking out for you. It sings to me.
One of the greatest songs of all time. It should be on every classic rock playlist.
It's my favorite from them, as well. I met Benjamin Orr back in the early 90's and he was just the coolest dude. Very genuine.
It’s only 4 minutes long but the music alone should be like 30 minutes.
Yes, it is ethereal
The Cars are truly one of my all-time favorites. Candy-O was my introduction to them and remains my favorite Cars album. The triplex of Double Life to Shoo-be-Doo to the title cut of Candy-O with each song transitioning seamlessly into each other is one of the greatest moments of mixing and recording in my opinion. And of course I loved Let's Go as well.
Thanks my friend!
I love that 8 minute, 3-song sequence. When Ocasek yells "JUST TELL ME WHAT TO DO" and then that Candy-O riff starts up, how do you not go nuts?
The album is like ear candy!
YES. That medley is incredible. It starts off so nonchalantly but yeah, the transition between the last two songs hits HARRRD. 💥
I Love The Cars! I love every track of every album! My favorite track is "Heartbeat City." That song is not only a sonic adventure, Jacquie was the name of a young woman that I loved, and things just didn't work out for us. Benjamin Orr does not get enough credit as a phenomenal vocalist.
Amen! He was one of a kind.
I put on my vintage Cars Heartbeat City T-shirt this morning, and was delighted to see Benjamin Orr's handsome face on this video's thumbnail! Oh yeah! The Cars forever!!
@@LazyIRanchHe looked like the love child of Rutger Hauer and Michelle Pfeiffer.
Heartbeat City is amazing as a song!
I'm a child of the 80s and it's so hard to tell the new generation how popular disco was.
I was at Cominskey Park the night disco died.
There was some great disco, but the really bad stuff seemed to get more attention.
I think younger generations don't get the Disco thing because they can't grasp the fact that the only place to hear popular music, new music, was on the radio. And popular radio stations played all the music. The Rock, the Pop, the Funk, the Motown, the Disco. And so when Disco became ultra popular, all the bands began to play it. Including the Rock bands!! 😮 Including Rod Stewart (who had been Rock to that point), the Rolling Stones, Paul Mccartney, Pink Floyd and even KISS had Disco songs. (And there were more.) That was when it became too much, and the Comiskey Park thing happened.
One of the classiest rock bands ever. Miss both Ric and Benjamin...
Always liked ‘Cruiser’ off Shake it up…perfect tune for a nighttime cruise in my ‘77 Trans Am.
AWESOME!
The Candy-O album had a vibe to it that was like no other... So unique
Hey Flave! What up?
When I hear 'Just what I needed', it immediately puts me in my grandparents' backyard with my cousin trying to convince him it was a new band that gonna blow up🤯 1978 is one of the years for landmark albums.😎
ROck on!
It really is.
The Cars first 2 albums bring back my best memories of being 18 and 19 washing my car and rocking out! I never tire of the music and the sweet moments i now cherish. Such a great band! RIP Ric and Ben. ❤
In my eyes the cars saved rock and roll from the disco funk. And agree that Benjaman Orrs voice was smooth and awesome. Great memories for me listening to them while cruising.
POR you forgot to mention the Cars induction into the Rock&Roll Hall of Fame in August 2018. I remember watching it. Sadly Benjamin Orr had already passed on Oct 4, 2000. Rick OCasek and the remaining band mates gave a heartfelt tribute to Benjamin. I had tickets to see the Cars back in January 1983 at Richfield Coliseum here in Ohio. Our winter weather was so bad with icy roads. The concert was cancelled. I was heart broken! The Cars were one of my favorite & still is! Oh how I would have loved to see them in concert with Benjamin. To fill the void, I'm reduced to finding their performances on YT that others have graciously uploaded. Benjamin Or is buried about an hour or so drive from where I live. It's one of my Bucket List items to go pay my respects!
Definitely one of the top 5 American bands in my estimation. Jumping from one triumph to the next from the start, and with the stones to switch directions on Panorama, then change up again.
So true . I miss them!
The Cars took me along for the ride during my college and post college years. I started college in September of 1978. I remember walking into the student union building and hearing Just What I Needed on the jukebox. My reaction was "Whoa! What the hell is this???" I knew I was hearing the future, and it was so refreshing to listen to something other than the Bee Gees. Fast forward to March, 1984. I finally finished college and started the process of becoming an adult. I moved to the Dallas/Ft Worth area to start my post college journey. I had no family or friends nearby and even though I was excited, I was also a bit lonely. I was driving down the freeway and You Might Think came on. It felt like an old friend had shown up and it really put me at ease. The rest of the album took me through the glorious summer of 1984 and beyond - what an incredible piece of work! Thank you Elliot, Greg, and David. Ben and Ric, y'all are sorely missed!
I entered BC Sept 78. They were already old hat in Boston, but breaking all over the US.
My first introduction to The Cars was their 1984 album, "Heartbeat City". But, through classic rock stations and the release of their Greatest Hits album, I became familiar with their older material, and "Let's Go" was one of my favorites among those. And, yes, I admit that I was clapping along with it too. LOL
How can you not!
I always clap at the end.
Love your channel Professor. Thank you for all the hard work. I have learned so much about so many bands because of you. Great job.
I was 17 when Candy-O came out, and I loved it so much. Let's Go seemed like it was written just for me. The Cars forever. ❤
Let's Go is my favorite Cars song! There is no other band like them. I used to have trouble telling Ric and Ben's voices apart, but after enough listens, it becomes more obvious. Great video, Professor!
I've always loved the cars! 80s magic!
Amen!
Uh-oh...It's Magic!
Graduated high school '84 .. The Cars were basically a soundtrack of our teenage years ... will never be another like them
My favorite song by the Cars is, by far, "Moving in Stereo". That synth intro is a ethereal, while a guitar riff is very catchy.
So good!
stereo sounded really great on a club system also
I always see Phoebe climbing out of the pool when I hear it!
And it is reminiscent of Fast Times.
Fantastic song.
You say everything I want to say about this band, and particular song, in such a detailed way. You speak my language. I have always been a major supporter of The Cars, and especially love that they’re from Boston, my home town. When I first heard their music, I was completely blown away! It just doesn’t get old. It just keeps getting better every time I listen to it. You have such good material that you put out on this channel, so thank you, thank you!
the Cars music was really awesome and all of the band members made their sound perfect and their lyrics were easy to sing along with and I never considered them new wave they were just a great
rock n roll band thanks for the great rock n roll memories Professor.
🎶🎤🎸🎸🎹🥁🎶
SO true!
DUDE! I'm getting a real love-hate for your channel. We really had the best music in the "Rock Era" and you're reminding me I'm old. But what the heck, I'm not even ready for retirement and had a great life. So, Love your channel! Keep it up! And yes, I've already been to your patreon section.
Benjamin Orr singing Drive makes me stop whatever I’m doing and sends me back to a certain place in time with a certain girl. That moment is forever frozen in time and never changes. Hope you are well Nancy.
Such a great song!
It’s a great song for that dance at the prom with your date.
This may be my all time favorite breakdown from the Professor. What a great song from a truly great band-and what a great personal story. Thanks for sharing your connection to this classic.
Let’s not forget to pay homage to one of the greatest guitarists in rock history…Mr. Elliot Easton…Didn’t know he was from Brooklyn, NY until i saw a ‘free’ concert in Coney Island (Brooklyn, NY back) in the late ‘90’s. The headliner was Creedance Clearwater Revisted (a reformed CCR) they introduced the guitarist as “and on guitar, you’ve probably heard of this group, he played with THE CARS, one of Brooklyn’s own…Elliot Easton”. Being from Brooklyn, i thought that was so cool at the time. Elliot is an amazing guitarist, musician, songwriter, who was inducted into the RRHOF with THE CARS back in 2018
CC Revisited played for a company function where I worked. They introduced Elliot the same way
He's usually always forgotten when it comes to guitarists but definitely needs to be in the top 10.
This is one of the best videos you've produced. I loved the Cars mainly for the colour in their music which had a reminiscent quality and really exceptional vocals
Professor of Rock you're a man after my own heart!!! My Fave Band Hands Down...yep Ben has more of a country voice the way he says words I think and Ric a Buddy Holly type way of singing...Benjamin Orr The Most Gorgeous Guy To Ever Live...Thank You POR For Honoring Them Again ❤🏁🚗💨💯
Your story is a perfect illustration of the power of music! Let’s Go and always Rock on! 🤘
I adored Ben Orr. His voice was unforgettable, he had such a steady, cool stage presence and of course he was magically handsome. So sad that he passed away at such a young age.
The Cars are in my top 5 favs. I’ve covered ‘Let’s Go’ so many times over the years in my band days.
RIP Ben and Ric!
Love the Cars! Steve Miller’s “Go On Take The Money and Run” has a famous clap part in it twice and me, my wife and son always participate. One day in a small collectibles store it came on and when the three of us clapped along the entire store started laughing and commenting how cool it was that we all do it no matter where we are. Keep up the great work Adam, I really enjoy your channel.
So does “Center Field”.
I am of the opinion that the 70’s was actually the greatest decade for music! The 80’s would have been sad without the 70’s artists that played through the 80’s! I lived both!
Had a great stereo in my car the Cars always rocked in it!! Love them!!😺
They were moving in that stereo!
This might have been my favorite one you have ever done, thanks for your passion and bringing back the memories!
The Cars always takes me back to high school. I graduated in '84 and my friends and I would listen to all of their cassettes/albums, not quite incessantly!
What was your favorite song by them?
The Cars are by far one of the most iconic bands and Candy-O lived on my tape deck for months. Even today I listen to them as much as any group.
The Cars are my guilty pleasure, their music just makes you feel good. It takes me back to a more innocent time as a kid in the 70s. They had a sound all their own that has not been duplicated, I am I got to experience their music from the beginning. RIP Ric and Benjamin
No guilt needed. Now Air Supply.... guilty as charged.
The Beatles are my guilty pleasure
And the 80s too
Thank you, Professor, for another awesome video. Whenever I hear The Cars, I think, "Now we'll open the floor to an all-skate, everyone can skate."
Cars remains one of my favorite bands ever and I always thought Rick Ocasek did most of the singing. It wasn't until several years of listening to them that I realized that Benjamin Orr was the lead singer on most of the songs that I really liked. I'll tell you what, it's something special to crank up "Moving in Stereo" on a great system and listen to it while you have been smoking a left-handed cigarette. I even had Rick Ocasek's solo album on cassette. 😁👍
Whew!! I love, love music. But the Cars are on another level! Thanks professor for this video. I cant get enough.
"Touch n Go"or as my gear head buds and I say 'Clutch n Go' 😅 is my favorite Elliots guitar 🎸 lick is so addictive 👌
Haha I love that!
I love your enthusiasm for The Cars, my favorite band since my older brother Tim introduced me to their debut album sometime in the late 70s. Thanks for once again doing them proud with your incomparable commentary on one of the greatest songs in Rock N Roll.
It's all mixed up ❤ Met Benjamin Orr in the elevator at an Insurance Co. I worked at and he was renewing a policy, he was physically beautiful and so sweet and yes, soft spoken ❤️
Bands like these helped we early 20 somethings endure the disco BS.
Cheers.
My earliest memory of The Cars was hearing "Let the Good Times Roll" and "Best Friends Girl" on AM radio. Great band, and not a single bad song on their greatest hits!!!
Great songs!
"jukebox Poetry" Love it! I am gonna steal that description! Thanks Adam!!!
Good memories of The Cars. My buddy in HS introduced me to their first album. The day Candy-O was released I picked it up and that evening I went cruising with my buddy (RIP Doug) cranking Let's Go in my 75 Chevelle's tape player. 🎼🎶🎵🎶🤙 Good Times!
Cool!
I still love The Cars at age 69. Their music is so unique and groundbreaking. RIP Ben and Ric.
Oh man, The Cars is at the top of my favorites list on any given day. I remember cruising Main Street in high school with my friend listening to all the Cars music. It crushed me when Ben passed. Of course I bought his excellent solo album. Extraordinary band that I never tire of.
Benjamin Orr always looked like he could be Christopher Walken's brother.
Ha! So true!
Christopher Walken and Rutger Hauer had a Polish baby.
Jody Foster's twin 😂
@@monicamad1285
They're all related.
Walken-Orr!
Great episode. Thank you.
The Cars were a, just have fun group. They, like most of the good group's, had a very individual sound. When you heard a new song, you knew who it was, very quickly. Grat show.
So true!
When did you see them?
Fantastic video Adam! Your enthusiasm is completely infectious
If I could go back in time for just one day, I would want to be put in a bar where they were playing live in 1978.
Cool!
LOVE the cars, I grinned and "Hell Yeah'd" through the entire show, nicely done my friend...
Benjamin Orr was a global treasure.
Thank you for keeping this channel going.
The Cars are my all-time favorite band. _Candy-O_ is an amazing album, and contains what might be my favorite Cars tune: "Dangerous Type." _Heartbeat City_ is my favorite album of theirs.
Very cool!
I caught Greg Hawkes in Annapolis a few months back and was *soooo* thrilled that “Dangerous Type” was on his set list
Heartbeat City doesn't get the recognition it deserves!
@@walterchappel180 Nice. As a synth fanatic, he's one of my music heroes.
Dangerous Type has one of the best fade out endings in rock & roll.😎
I saw The Cars in Denver in 1983. I didn’t expect much because I wasn’t a big fan. They put on a great show. All five members are brilliant musicians and the vocals were outstanding.
I just watched a interview with KISS that aired on Halloween 1979 - Ace Frehley has the most hilarious sense of humor and a signature laugh that’s infectious 🤣🤣🤣🤣
Professor you gotta interview Ace !
I love ace’s best line “if the devil’s gonna deal the cards, he’s gonna do it without an Ace in his deck. “
The Cars really opened my eyes to the kind of music I really wanted to listen to. I was 17 when the debut album came out and I was hooked.