The Cars Final Interview 2000 with Benjamin Orr
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- Опубліковано 13 жов 2024
- I uploaded this interview from a DVD I bought to honour the memory to Benjamin Orr and Ric Ocasek and to keep their legacy and the legacy of The Cars alive. For some reason as it was a very large file the first few seconds were cut off.
Because the purpose is to non-commercially educate and offer a critical assessment, this fan made video is being uploaded under the terms of Fair Use. No copyright infringement intended.
This interview was recorded in September for the Rhino release of the DVD of Musikladen 1979 to be included in this . From what I have read Benjamin flew right from this interview in Atlanta, Georgia, to Palmer, Alaska, for his last performance Big People concert in Alaska), playing the August 25th show at the Alaska State Fair. So the date of this interview would either have been the 23rd or 24th of August 2000 . It was first said that the final performance was September 27 but that was actually the only concert Benjamin ever had to cancel and miss. You can read all about this in the wonderful biography by Joe Milliken called Let's Go! Benjamin Orr and The Cars @ www.benorrbook...
This interview fills with so much respect for Benjamin for his strength and courage and I found it difficult to watch and cried at times but because of Benjamin's incredible courage and code of honour and his incredibly modesty is something to marvel at and made me want to share this. Also the way Benjamin replies at 31:17 minutes when asked by Brett Milano whether he thought of himself as the sexy one.
I pondered for a long time whether to upload this interview or not. I cried so much the first times I watched this, but I feel because this interview shows just how courageous he was, his strength when being so close to his death , he could still summon up all his charisma and charm and smile at the camera and what I feel for him was important smile at his fans one more time with his old band mates, well, I felt that needed to be shared. Also the fact that Ric has also passed away and we get to see them all one more time together.
Here are some of the highlights for me from this interview :
I love when Benjamin talks about the band at 6:30 , also another highlight to me is when Benjamin says at 2:14 about David being put on a gurney after performing in Europe for Musikladen 2:32
Also about Benjamin joking about In the good old days at 27:41 and also after this Elliot talking about Live Aid and Benjamin talks about his pedals and bass synthesizer 29:10. I love Benjamin's incredibly modesty , for me it is something to marvel at and one of the many reasons that made me want to share this final interview when Benjamin replies at 31:17 minutes when asked by Brett Milano whether he thought of himself as the sexy one. His reply is so incredible and also so very telling of this very private man.
I loved Benjamin's witty reply to Ric as they joked like old times ( about Candy-O) when Ric says he thinks he never met anyone called Candy 42:25 ( Benjamin saying to Ric " You never told me about it" and how gently Ric touched his shoulder. Also at 45:02 when Benjamin talks about after the band members were talking about what they are proudest of or what the band and time means for them, I love what Benjamin says and how he shows his whole heart in that sentence and in fact this was one of those moments when watching this that I decided I did want to honour him with a channel, Facebook page and website. There are such sweet moments in this and wonderful stories and also so much heartbreak as you can tell his old friends are very much aware this is their final time with Benjamin. Even yesterday I still was unsure about sharing this but I still feel it should be shown and every fan has the option of not to view it. I know it took me years to be able to sit down and watch it and I had to walk away. But now I mainly see how much this pays tribute to Benjamin and the fact he did this interview , he wanted this seen .
I would like to perhaps help a younger audience find out about Benjamin and become new fans :) If you like this please subscribe to this channel and please come and checks out my Facebook page by the same title as this channel @ / 8.9.1947benjaminorrele...
Still hurts seeing Ben so sick that he barely spoke. But great to saw the five together. Love you always angel Ben 💜
I pondered for a long time whether to upload this interview or not. I cried so much the first times I watched this, but I feel because this interview shows just how courageous he was, his strength when being so close to his death , he could still summon up all his charisma and charm and smile at the camera and what I feel for him was important smile at his fans one more time with his old band mates, well, I felt that needed to be shared. Also the fact that Ric has also passed away and we get to see them all one more time together. I loved Benjamin's witty reply to Ric as they joked like old times ( about Candy-O) and how gently Ric touched his shoulder. There are such sweet moments in this and wonderful stories and also so much heartbreak as you can tell his old friends are very much aware this is their final time with Benjamin. Even yesterday I still was unsure about sharing this but I still feel it should be shown and every fan has the option of not to view it. I know it took me years to be able to sit down and watch it and I had to walk away. But now I mainly see how much this pays tribute to Benjamin and the fact he did this interview , he wanted this seen . Warmest regards from sunny but windy Tasmania, Tia
@@benjaminorrelectricangelro5493 I'm glad you posted it. Forever grateful ❤️
Mi tesoro higual eres extrordinario y baliente benja yá estaas en el cielo
asi es Vero,mucha tristeza ver a Ben enfermito de esa maldita enfermedad,algún día todos nos encontraremos en los cielos saludos desde chile 🇨🇱
I am 69 (2024) Yes. It really hurts to see him like that. I always say to my family and friends: "Do not morn for me, celebrate my life."
Sitting here, in Jan 2024..still feeling the loss of Benjamin….gotta confess…would have run away with the guy….even still…the music that didn’t happen because we lost him…us Big time Cars dans…we love, miss and honor them…
What a beautiful soul Benjamin was. I think he looked real good considering how ill he was. The most gorgeous man ever to live with that voice to match.
@Norma Dailey, I totally agree with you. You said it perfectly. At first I found it so confronting to watch knowing how close he was (less than 2 weeks later I believe he passed away) and seeing how frail he was but then I saw his not only his eyes still sparkled, his beautiful smile, the incredible charisma still shone, his witty reply the question about being the sexy one, his warmth and love for his band members, and also the fact how courageous and strong he was and this made me want to share this on my channel. It is incredible to think he flew cross country after this interview to do his final performance. What an inspiring beautiful man. the charisma still shone. Warmest regards from a hot Tasmania, Tia
Im crying through this
I agree. He was so handsome
A warrior... with a warrior attitude.
RIP Ben
Ben looks so sick here, rest in peace Ben and now Ric.
It's really a shame. Both great singers and musicians. You can tell Ben really was zapped at this point.
@@MSDOGS1976this was filmed in late August and he died in September. Really cruel way to go and way too soon .
@@mrbill9248 He died October 3
@@LarsRyeJeppesen yeah he looks very frail here poor guy . I will be the age he passed next month . Cancer sucks RIP Ben n Rick
@@LarsRyeJeppesen this interview is less than 2 months from his death. how sad but also good to see him here and happy to be with his band. I was at Live Aid in 85 and what SET they played in Philly.
Elliott Easton one of the underrated guitarists. One of my favorites
Lefty
Absolutely. And all of them at the top of their craft. How often do you see a group where every member just kills it? They were a once in a lifetime phenomenon! I hope young people discover this stuff and it sets a standard of excellence for the music they make going forward.
#2 only behind Mr Beck.
Double E could and still can throw down with anybody.
I came here to say how underrated Elliot is, but you've done said it. 😁 But yeah, just a great guitarist, with such melodic and tasteful lines that he pulled off flawlessly, live. I sure miss this band, but am grateful for the legacy they left us
When Ben and Julie picked me up at the airport for my last gig with BIG PEOPLE , he was jaundice…… I really wasn’t aware till he took off his shades and I could see the whites of his eyes were yellow…. He just wasn’t his jovial self….. and when we did the show at Green Jacket Stadium with Delbert McClinton the huge diesel generators were blowing exhaust directly at us on stage …. I felt so bad for Ben as he sufferingly struggled to get through the set…… ….. it was awful to see my friend in such a way …. Now he sings with angels…..🙏❤️‼️
@keithreid9949 I am so sorry, Keith 😞.
I miss Julie, 😢 reunited with her beloved Ben 🙏 . Hugs 🫂 to you, my friend, with love from Tasmania, Tia.
I pondered for a long time whether to upload this interview or not. I cried so much the first times I watched this, but I feel because this interview shows just how courageous he was, his strength when being so close to his death , he could still summon up all his charisma and charm and smile at the camera and what I feel for him was important smile at his fans one more time with his old band mates, well, I felt that needed to be shared. Also the fact that Ric has also passed away and we get to see them all one more time together. To try and pin point the date has been difficult but from what has now come to light and I have read Benjamin flew right from this interview in Atlanta, Georgia, to Palmer, Alaska, for his last performance Big People concert in Alaska), playing the August 25th show at the Alaska State Fair. So the date of this interview would either have been the 23rd or 24th of August 2000 . PS it has recently been stated this was recorded in September 2000. It was first said that the final performance was September 27 but that was actually the only concert Benjamin ever had to cancel and miss. This interview and DVD was released on October 24th just 3 weeks after Benjamin passed away. Here are some of the highlights for me from this interview :
I love when Benjamin talks about the band at 6:30 , also another highlight to me is when Benjamin says at 2:14 about David being put on a gurney after performing in Europe for Musikladen 2:32
Also about Benjamin joking about In the good old days at 27:41 and also after this Elliot talking about Live Aid and Benjamin talks about his pedals and bass synthesizer 29:10. I love Benjamin's incredibly modesty , for me it is something to marvel at and one of the many reasons that made me want to share this final interview when Benjamin replies at 31:17 minutes when asked by Brett Milano whether he thought of himself as the sexy one. His reply is so incredible and also so very telling of this very private man.
I loved Benjamin's witty reply to Ric as they joked like old times ( about Candy-O) when Ric says he thinks he never met anyone called Candy 42:25 ( Benjamin saying to Ric " You never told me about it" and how gently Ric touched his shoulder. Also at 45:02 when Benjamin talks about after the band members were talking about what they are proudest of or what the band and time means for them, I love what Benjamin says and how he shows his whole heart in that sentence and in fact this was one of those moments when watching this that I decided I did want to honour him with a channel, Facebook page and website. There are such sweet moments in this and wonderful stories and also so much heartbreak as you can tell his old friends are very much aware this is their final time with Benjamin. Even yesterday I still was unsure about sharing this but I still feel it should be shown and every fan has the option of not to view it. I know it took me years to be able to sit down and watch it and I had to walk away. But now I mainly see how much this pays tribute to Benjamin and the fact he did this interview , he wanted this seen .
@@suttonmaple7444 I am unsure as to what you mean. This interview was done in 2000 and he did perform after he did this interview one more time at least with his band Big People , he sadly passed away in October 2000.
@@benjaminorrelectricangelro5493 sorry bout that..guess I read what you were saying. Wrong..as I am aware he passed in 2000.
@@suttonmaple7444 I am still not sure what you mean, what I posted and wrote is all correct, he did do this interview in 2000 and yes , Benjamin did pass away October 3rd ( I believe the death certificate says 4th as he passed away close to midnight) , this interview was done around August or no later than July 2000. His final performance I think was in Atlanta in late August, I believe. He was such a strong man, such an inspiration, performed as per his wishes. His band brothers supported him in this, he had to have oxygen but he performed until he no longer could. He missed one show or concert, the only one ever in his whole career due to his cancer's final days. The fact that he performed ~Drive~ until the second last performance shows what an incredible singer he was. On the final performance he was too weak to sing this :( . He is remains an inspiration to so many and loved by his fans over 2 decades later.
@@benjaminorrelectricangelro5493 Gotcha..as I said I read part of what you said wrong ..my bad.
@@suttonmaple7444 OK, no problem. I just feel very strongly about the facts in regards to Benjamin's strength and how he still inspires fans and I feel in part it has to do with his incredible courage, dignity, the way he dealt with his cancer. He was an incredible modest guy and by all accounts, generous and very kind. Besides the fact he was so talented, has oodles of charisma and style and of course women watch his videos and fans are still are blown away by his performances :) Warmest regards from Tasmania, (Monday dinner time Down Under ) Tia :)
Benjamin and Ric were golden. The anthem of my high school years. Thank you.
Mixed emotions when I watch this interview. So much sadness and Ben really was so poorly by then. He did well to be part of that. He clearly enjoyed parts of it. The bit that gets me every time is when he’s sitting there quietly, not even listening and you can only imagine what he may have been thinking about. I hope he knew how much he was loved and respected and we will all ensure his legacy will live on 😔🎸💫
Debbie Hammond, I feel the same. I pondered for a long time whether to upload this interview or not. I cried so much the first times I watched this, but I feel because this interview shows just how courageous he was, his strength when being so close to his death , he could still summon up all his charisma and charm and smile at the camera and what I feel for him was important smile at his fans one more time with his old band mates, well, I felt that needed to be shared. Also the fact that Ric has also passed away and we get to see them all one more time together. I loved Benjamin's witty reply to Ric as they joked like old times ( about Candy-O) and how gently Ric touched his shoulder. There are such sweet moments in this and wonderful stories and also so much heartbreak as you can tell his old friends are very much aware this is their final time with Benjamin. Even yesterday I still was unsure about sharing this but I still feel it should be shown and every fan has the option of not to view it. I know it took me years to be able to sit down and watch it and I had to walk away. But now I mainly see how much this pays tribute to Benjamin and the fact he did this interview , he wanted this seen . Warmest regards from sunny but windy Tasmania, Tia
Yes Debbie. I thought the same.
I thought the same thing. His mind was definitely elsewhere. I've survived cancer now going on 9 years, but during chemo at age 58 I wasn't so sure I had another day. I was looking back into my past and lots of reflection. I'm sure Ben was listening while being 1,000 miles away.
Thanks for sharing your story. I hope you are doing well. I love the cars and still listening at 65 @@jujumulligan43
So sad to see Benjamin look so fragile. Love their music still today in 2024.
This guy was a total rock star.Just watched them on the midnight special video,wow still blew me away!
My brother got me into The Cars. He passed away last year. Whenever I hear their songs, it brings him back to me.
Such a sad, yet interesting, interview.
A great band, with a unique sound. Two awesome vocals, but Bens voice was just something special.
Thank you for sharing.
I am so sorry to read about your brother's passing. My much older brother was born the same year as Benjamin, he was a wonderful big brother and sadly passed away even younger than Benjamin, at age 44. I feel for you and it is lovely to read that you are able to enjoy the music of The Cars and feel close to your brother. Warmest regards from Tasmania, Tia
I never Saw this before and there’s absolutely breaking my heart. I love Benjamin Orr and I was born in 63 so the cars were such a huge part of my life and introduced me to new wave music… Thank you for uploading this even though my heart is breaking.
I still listen to The Cars all the time. It’s strange that this interview was nearly 22 years ago.
I still listen to them all the time as well and it is alarming to see how fast time flies. I cannot believe it has been so many years. But what an incredible achievement that the music is still loved so much by the fans. Warmest regards from Tasmania , Tia 🙂
Tell me about it Brett
Time flies, for sure.
You know… I’ve been fighting bladder cancer for over 3 years and when I look at Ben I see a man who loved his life. He wasn’t seeking sympathy but was proud of his accomplishments. I loved this band. I wore out the first album and even had the 8track… people today have no idea how much they dominated MTV in the beginning and early years. You would turn on the TV and there was Ben and the Cars
I am so sorry to read about your cancer. I agree with you about Benjamin. I am sorry it takes me a while to reply as I have retired from this channel some time ago but I do come and try and check in when I am able to do so. I wish you the very best and may the Cars music help you through your illness.
I know I find music is such a wonderful positive force,
Love from Tasmania, Tia
God bless you brother. I pray that you get well.
Ben actually played with Big People until 2 months before his death.
🤗
Thanks for sharing
I still love the Cars...still have all their songs on my playlist and sing right along to..still one of my most favorite concerts .. Houston 1984. ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
Ben - missed. So odf to see him and Ric sitting there - poor Ben was so ill- he was/is still beautiful!
The music of my coming of age, the Cars…. Never been any better. RIP Benjamin and Ric you guys mattered to an entire generation
❤#TheCars❣️
Love this band. Class of their own. I Can’t stop listening to their music, 💙🧡💚
I feel the same way ! I subscribed to your channel :) . Thank you Time Music , with warmest regards, from Tasmania, Tia 💙🧡💚
Life gets most of us in a bad way. But Ben was still young. It's so sad. I loved the Cars, but Ben, among many other Cars fans, was my favorite. He was a great vocalist frontman, as well as a steady bass player. Such stage charisma, so forceful a lead vocalist! RIP Ben, we all love you and the Cars!
My favorite band for more than 40 years.
Miss Ben so much. He was such a gift with his musical talent and vocals. Such an amazing man.
If Benjamin had the courage to face all this along with his approaching end, then I can have the courage to watch it. Will always love Benjamin and The Cars. 💛
@@sararichmond8476 Yes, that was what I was thinking as well. 💜
Ben rocked and he was a great, unassuming guy, no huge ego, despite his incredible talent and stage presence. His tragic death makes me question my faith in God, among other things that make me question that faith. (At least, in the Biblical God, not necessarily in the deist god.)
@@samr.england613 I am grieving over my friend Julie's passing right now, she was Benjamin's fiancee and was incredibly strong for him during his battle with cancer. Julie missed Benjamin so very much and yet had faith and was such a wonderful woman and friend. I miss her terribly but I also feel they are now reunited again. Benjamin was loved so very much, was with Julie and friends and not alone. I hope this helps. I lost too many loved ones so I understand what you are writing but I also know that Benjamin also kept his faith. Lots of love from Tasmania, Tia PS have retired from this channel when I heard about Barry Ryan's passing, he was someone I loved and knew and decided I wanted to dedicate a channel to him and his brother Paul and all their music .
Same here. Anytime I see anything about him I get sad.
Not ashamed to say that I cried at the end of this, Ben was a unique modest man a shining example even when he knew what he faced in his battle with cancer.Both Ben and The Cars will always have a special place in some people's hearts forever.Thank you for posting it means a lot to a lot of people.
I certainly cried , during this and at the end as well. I totally agree with you. I have retired from this channel, originally due to ill health but then started to work on a personal project, a channel etc for a singer who was very well known in England, Europe & loved so much in my birth country, Germany, who passed away a couple of years ago. I am so touched when I read comments even though I have not posted for 2 years or so and that fans of the band and Ben's fans still watch and comment. I hope the music of bands and musicians we love will live on forever. Warmest regards from Tasmania, Tia
You shouldn't I cried myself it was really really hard to see this beautiful man who loved life knowing he's going to die !!! Man that sucks
So sad to see Benjamin like this but then that smile at 42:22 as well as the reply to Ric's comment "I dont think I ever knew a Candy-O"
"Never told me about it" 😊
Genuine, cute exchange of friends reminiscing.
His Cleveland shirt shows his love for his town that would (too many) years later induct him into the R&R HoF🎸but with his heart being in Cleveland U know he was there for it😇
@Jessie Kanzenbach, that smile is indeed bright as sunshine and warms the heart, this interview showed what incredible strength he had, how brave he was, he did this interview I feel, for his fans, as well as his former band members and he summoned all his charisma once again, the cheekiness appeared at times @31.10
as well as his incredible wit. Missed forever
❤
@@benjaminorrelectricangelro5493🕯️🤍🕊️
I absolutely love The Cars. Their music was and is timeless. I remember back in 1982 I had a 1980 turbo Trans Am. The cassette tape that I played in my T/A all the time was the album Shake It Up. Every time I hear any song from the Shake It Up album my mind goes back to the days when I was single and carefree and when I would cruise because I was a "Cruiser". We associate music with certain times in our lives. The Cars music will live forever. They were one of the best bands to come out of the late 70s and 80s. My respects to the families of Ric Ocasek and Benjamin Orr. Can yall even imagine the awesome songs we would have had if they were still with us? I know I think about it sometimes. The Cars is in my top 5 all time favorite bands. Well done guys, well done. I had to open up another window on my computer on You Tube and play some Cars songs while I typed this out.
Same, but with a Camaro. Can't do the Cars tho without Ben.
76 Camaro and Candy-O 8-track for me. Miss those days. 🎸
79 Mustang Pace car. Sun roof open and cruising to the lake partying like an animal. Someone please invent a time machine!
Volkswagen beetle and a boombox in back playing “Moving in stereo” followed immediately by “all mixed up“. I loved those days!
301 carburated Turbo🏁 . Cool story
Ben had a beautiful voice. So talented and so very handsome. He is truly missed. Rip Ben. 😢❤
One thing you'll find is that Clevelanders are very true to their city. Ben still representing!
Hi and thank you, yes I have heard this about your city and I live very far away in Tasmania. I originally am from Berlin , Germany and we have a saying there, that when you leave Berlin ( ich hab' noch einen Koffer in Berlin) which translates to I still have a suitcase in Berlin meaning you cannot take that bond for your home city ever away and I have heard from many people the same thing about Cleveland. Warmest regards from sunny Tasmania, Tia
I fell in love with The Cars in the 90’s. I’ll never forget my boyfriend’s best friend walking me home from High School everyday because he lived just up the street from me. One day when I was about 17 in 1996 or 97’ we were walking along the path we took through a park just across the street from our school when he stopped me and said “Do you know that band The Cars?” I said “Yes. I love that song ‘Drive’. It reminds me of a memory from when I was a little girl.” He then asked “Do you know that song ‘My Best Friend’s Girl’? I said “Yes..?” He got really shy suddenly then said “Well, that song is about you.” He then went on to tell me he’d liked me since the first day he saw me but I was his best friend’s girlfriend! I didn’t know what to say. I was very flattered and kind of blushed I guess. I promised him I wouldn’t tell my boyfriend because it would’ve ruined their friendship and I never did tell! I saw that friend recently after over 20 years. He’s married with kids now and lives in another state, but he came to town a couple years ago and I made a point to grab one of The Cars CD’s to bring on an adventure day with him and he remembered that day all those years ago and how nervous he was to tell me that. We got a laugh out of it. Life is so strange. He’d have been a far better boyfriend but I was hopelessly devoted to his best friend, my first love. Those first loves are always the hardest heart breaks too, but I still smile when I hear ‘My Best Friend’s Girl’ because it will forever be my song. I love The Cars so much. ‘Let’s Go’ has been my getting ready to go party song for years. I own just about every one of their albums now and I still get choked up over Ben Orr and Ric Ocasek. I’m glad we still have Greg, Elliot and David. I hope they are all doing well.
RIP Ben and Ric.
🌹
Ben was such a humble, genuinely good guy. The last words he said were so touching. Sad that he left us too soon. 😢
Bless Ben Orr, he was the best looking in this band and a great voice too. I always loved the Cars. Candy-O is my favorite LP.💕💕
The Cars had a unique sound and fabulous hooks. One of my favorites
Poor Ben cancer sucks Such a great player and all around musician 😢 RIP Benny. 🙏 Thank you for your gift to us . RIP Rick 🙏 🪦 Too
Heartbreaking to see Ben look so thin : ( He had an amazing voice and was a great player. Also, he was shockingly handsome during the heyday of the Cars.
Yes indeed!🥺💕💕
Nice stumbling on to this. I was 11 years old when that first Cars album came out, and it made a big impression. That was a time in my life when I was really turning on to music that would form the cornerstones for my future tastes. A lot of the early new wave stuff… these guys, Elvis Costello, DEVO, Blondie, and a tiny bit later bands like B-52’s, Madness, and Joy Division. I used to listen to those first two Cars albums constantly in the late seventies. Those songs are permanently etched into my brain, and always take me back to that period of my life.
Anyway this is great. Just watching them sit back and reflecting on their past experiences. Obviously the end was drawing near for Ben, and I’m sure he must have known it at this point, which is really sad, but he still had a great attitude and seemed to be enjoying the discussion.
grew up with the cars,,,took a few riffs from those great songs over the years and play em on my tele or strat from time to time,,that music is timeless,, when I wanna feel good, I put on a classic cars record or cd! Thank you to the whole group and hopefully Ben and Ric are rocking in heaven
Still moved when I think of Ben's passing. What a talent and rock star looks. Rest well Ben.
one of my All-Time favorite bands. My cousin Angie saw them in Upper Darby, PA right before they broke big. The Cars have it all; great melodies, catchy lyrics, one of the best lead guitarists, great rhythm section with David and Ben and the X-Factor, Greg. Ric and Ben out front. So sad over losing those two guys, especially Ben. That dude just totally looked like a Rock Star but after reading about him, he was not what you think; he was a great person. I was still in High School when the Cars broke big. Hell we had Disco vs Burnout fights in my school. It was a tough time for us rockers. We would get by on Jethro Tull, Boston, Foreigner, Heart until....The Cars. I believe that they finally nailed down Rock and made Disco go to sleep. My favorite album is Candy-O. It has everything. Thanks Elliot, Ben, Ric, Greg and David for giving us rockers something we could use as a shield. Love you guys!
Wooooooooow poor Ben he looks real sick. I seen his band at Boston city hall before he died. Great show
Was that the show in February back in 1995? That show is all over UA-cam. Excellent performance. Ben looked and sounded great. Hard to believe he was more than likely starting to get sick. Pancreatic cancer starts several years before actual diagnosis. Sad...
Ben in a Browns jersey RIP, the best of the Cars. And thanks so much for sharing this and your transcript!!
My big brother brought that 1st Cars album home and I rattled the windows when nobody was home! I was 10 then and I still love it!
@@johnr1348 I was 11 in ‘78 and did the same…helluva band and one of the best ever!
Very cool interview and very enlightening about the personal experience and thought processing of the band I like that Rick said that many of the songs were fantasy stories that he would incorporate into the songs a particular lyric comes to my mind… in your Headlock on the Floor Who could ever ask for more. Great interview one of the best I have seen with the cars 🚗 🚗. we Love the cars. They were the soundtrack of my youth in the 1980s still listening to them almost daily. Rip Rick and Ben. Thanks for the memories my friends
This band is so nerdy and so awesome. They nailed it. They had their own sound and great songs. Elliot Easton plays flawless solos.
One of the greatest American rock bands. 🌟
Ben was a talent with such a rich voice. The Cars say they're not punk, but it's most punk for a band to diss the modern (then) record companies. Bravo. Do your own thing, don't follow orders.
I uploaded this interview from a DVD I bought to honour the memory to Benjamin Orr and Ric Ocasek and to keep their legacy and the legacy of The Cars alive. For some reason as it was a very large file the first few seconds were cut off.
Because the purpose is to non-commercially educate and offer a critical assessment, this fan made video is being uploaded under the terms of Fair Use. No copyright infringement intended.
This interview was recorded in September for the Rhino release of the DVD of Musikladen 1979 to be included in this . To try and pin point the date has been difficult but from what has now come to light and I have read Benjamin flew right from this interview in Atlanta, Georgia, to Palmer, Alaska, for his last performance Big People concert in Alaska), playing the August 25th show at the Alaska State Fair. So the date of this interview would either have been the 23rd or 24th of August 2020 . It was first said that the final performance was September 27 but that was actually the only concert Benjamin ever had to cancel and miss. This interview and DVD was released on October 24th just 3 weeks after Benjamin passed away. You can read all about this in the wonderful biography by Joe Milliken called Let's Go! Benjamin Orr and The Cars @ www.benorrbook.com/
This interview fills with so much respect for Benjamin for his strength and courage and I found it difficult to watch and cried at times but because of Benjamin's incredible courage and code of honour and his incredibly modesty is something to marvel at and made me want to share this. Also the way Benjamin replies at 31.10 minutes when asked by Brett Milano whether he thought of himself as the sexy one.
Also interesting is the bit about Live Aid and Benjamin's bass synthesizer @ around 29. 10 and so much more.
I pondered for a long time whether to upload this interview or not. I cried so much the first times I watched this, but I feel because this interview shows just how courageous he was, his strength when being so close to his death , he could still summon up all his charisma and charm and smile at the camera and what I feel for him was important smile at his fans one more time with his old band mates, well, I felt that needed to be shared. Also the fact that Ric has also passed away and we get to see them all one more time together. I loved Benjamin's witty reply to Ric as they joked like old times ( about Candy-O) and how gently Ric touched his shoulder. There are such sweet moments in this and wonderful stories and also so much heartbreak as you can tell his old friends are very much aware this is their final time with Benjamin. Even yesterday I still was unsure about sharing this but I still feel it should be shown and every fan has the option of not to view it. I know it took me years to be able to sit down and watch it and I had to walk away. But now I mainly see how much this pays tribute to Benjamin and the fact he did this interview , he wanted this seen .
I would like to perhaps help a younger audience find out about Benjamin and become new fans :) If you like this please subscribe to this channel and please come and checks out my Facebook page by the same title as this channel @ facebook.com/8.9.1947BenjaminOrrElectricAngelRockandRoller
Greg looks really unhappy. I've read elsewhere that he wasn't aware of how ill Ben really was and it was a shock to see him.
I seriously miss these guys! RIP Ric and Ben. I watched this whole thing and it was just amazing to listen to these guys.
Though The Cars were popular, still to this day, one of the most underrated bands ever. They were a huge part of a new wave and sound in music history.
Seeing Ben so sick makes me cry 😢 I love the cars.
[saluting] Thank you The Cars for all the great music from when you started all the way to the end of your run. Was great to hear and watch. Mm...Cap'n'Swing ... Goes on Sleeping (Sweet love dreams) .....
Ben…his voice. what a gift to all of us.
Sorry to not hear more than Ben as he was so clearly dieing so sorory bless him x
You were truly awesome at singing Benjamin & Ric! You two were pretty much the only reason I loved watching the Cars on UA-cam & listening to them on the radio. God bless both of you & if I could have 1 wish that would definitely be to see both of you in heaven when I die! 😔
There are few bands that are irreplaceable this was one of them, but what stood out to me the most besides there talent and great music was class. I am so glad that I was a part of their era . Their music was my jr high school years back in 76 , the memories are priceless. We miss you guys.
I ❤ Benjamin Orr 🌹🙏⭐💪🌹
Go Browns! Thank you for the music Ben 🙏🏻
I am so sorry Mr. Benjamin. So talented individually and the other members as well of course.
😊 ...and wearing a Cleveland Browns shirt. Even though I'm a Steelers fan, I can still respect. RIP, Benjamin Orr. I really enjoy your music.
He was beautiful ❤ And the song “Drive” is my favorite song of all time.
CANCER SUCKS!!!! RIP BEN ORR. My favorite band from my youth man. Rock on...
I’m the youngest of 11, and 57 now…one of my older brothers, who unfortunately passed away from cancer in April of 2000, got me into The Cars in ‘78 and been a lifelong fan. Still crank and jam their tunes often. One of the best bands that ever graced this planet. RIP brother Blair, Ben, and Ric…jam on!
@@usmc6157 So sorry for your loss. I retired from this channel a while back. Warmest regards from Tasmania, Tia
There was always this impression that Ric was aloof and sullen. But, the guy was incredibly well spoken and insightful about his craft.
love the Cars. what a bunch of cool guys. thanks for all the music. "I'm in touch with your world"
Thank you for deciding to share the interview. It is beautiful. Was and still am a HUGE Cars fan!! RIP Ric and Ben. Much love and respect. 09/26/24
The Cars were part of the soundtrack of my life from the 7th grade into well into my late 20s. Any of their songs can literally catapult me back to a specific moment of my life whenever I hear it. It’s like a musical Time Machine that takes me back to when life wasn’t so complicated. Summers were spent swimming all day and sitting on the porch with friends after dark - still in our swimsuits, wrapped in beach towels - listening to the radio or playing Ghost In The Graveyard. Nights sitting at my open bedroom window talking to my classmate Ron who lived next door - whose bedroom was right across the from mine - hanging out, discussing the highs and lows of life, playing our guitars or listening to music til all hours of the night. God rest his soul. Those were good times made better with great music. ❤
There would be no Cars without Benjamin Orr. Ocasek was great but he wasn’t as good as Orr. Orr had a stage presence. He embodied what a rock star looked like in the late 70’s and early 80’s. Oh yes he also had the better voice.
"It's an orangey sky...." 1979 England, just turned 17 with a fresh driving license - The Cars first LP a soundtrack to cars and girls and night journeys out and away .........
My mother's best friend died of pancreatic cancer. Benjamin Orr will always make me remember her. The disease progresses so rapidly that most people are dying before they know they have it.
I remember seeing them in late '78 as an opening act for Utopia (imagine that) and the crowd was so offended because they said nothing between songs and breaks between songs was brief - they just played. And didn't MOVE. It was like Kraftwerk or something. F'n awesome.
06:55
Makes me so happy to see Ben smile so brightly❤
My life is greatly enhanced with the music made by these guys. I never lived anywhere close enough to see them live. Very chill interview. Hard to believe anyone would not love this truly original band. Thanks for posting.
Saw them twice right when they came out. First one was they opened for Styx and we left as soon as The Cars were done lol. That was 1978. In 79 we saw them again and Ric was promoting some weird techno band that was getting booed. When The Cars came on stage he was pissed and scolded the audience but they played and were great. The first album is literally like a greatest hits record. RIP Ben and Ric
@@kristopherdetar4346 Thank you 😊. I am 'retired ' from this channel and work on a more personal channel nowadays for a musician that I knew but I am always touched to read fans comments. Warmest regards from Tasmania, Tia
@@mikeberg5003 what a great experience to have. I was always a bit jealous of people living in big towns that had access to the greatest band performances of the last century. My crazy career was way too restrictive for getting time off. We had to put our vacation requests in 3 months in advance for the following fiscal year. Seriously, I’m not making it up.
Rest in Peace, Ben and Ric. You are missed. Thank you for the music you shared with us. The Cars were an amazing band. So good.
Entre a ver el vídeo solo por ben, te recuerdo siempre, nos dejaste tu música y talento para jamas olvidarte, en paz descanses.
12:19 is so sad. Rest in peace Ben.
We haven't made it yet! Hahahahahahaha! I really didn't appreciate these guys in the day. I'm trying to learn guitar now and im seeing how good these fellas were! Breaks my heart and brings back memories of a good friend to see Ben as close to dying as he was!
I tell you what the cars were one of the best bands I ever seen and heard they were very talented than many bands out there they established their mark in rock these guys we’re great in my opinion one of the greatest bands ever to play in rock very unique sound.
Best band ever..😢 I used to see Ric on the street in NYC a lot.. I mean, more than any other celebrity. It started back in my 20s, and we would pass each other in Greenwich Village. He'd always give me the cool nod, like I was cool. Years later in my 30s he had this little house he lived in that was street level. I'd walk by and look in the window and I'd see him and his wife sitting on the couch watching TV. It was weird, even then looking right into somebody's main room from the sidewalk, and it was even stranger that it was him. This band has a very special place in my heart. They were so good they made it look easy and people really took that for granted. I feel like they were our band. I feel this more than I do for most other bands. They were absolutely perfect. Benjamin Orr is officially the best looking dude in all of R&R.
i notice the word "time" and "sick" are mentioned a lot. all subliminally they were expressing something deep without being able to say it. RIP Ben RIP Ric.
Love these guys and their majic music! RIP Ric and Ben.
Benjamin had a beautiful voice like an angel. I still recall those years in my life
They are all so great.
So talented.
“Stay the Night” was my all time favorite song from Ben…. ❤️❤️His voice was so pure and so beautiful when he sang this song ❤️. Seeing him with his band so breaks my heart…..knowing how much he loved his music.. please be at peace Ben and Ric ❤️🙏❤️ so missed by us all..
The first "real" band that I played in (there wasn't a bass player... so I did a Sir Paul and switched to bass)! As I recall ('82 or '83) we were a "Semi-post punk/new wave" band. I'm so sorry that I didn't listen to this EXCEPTIONALLY talented band (the Cars) more! One of out Best Cover songs was JUST WHAT I NEEDED! We had no keyboards ... 2 guitars, bass and drums BUT...we attempted songs by KEYBOARD BANDS! Our Excellent lead guitarist learned both the Lead Guitar parts and the keyboard parts which I supplemented on bass.
Our Front man passed away in 2019...Our drummer in (I believe) 2022.
Much Thanks For This Post!! (Benjamin's Vocals have made the song DRIVE.. an absolute favorite of mine!) 😥😢
I
Não reconheci Benjamin Orr , não quero chorar, mas ao mesmo tempo sei o quanto ele queria demonstrar naturalidade sou fã hj e sempre🇧🇷🇧🇷🇧🇷🇧🇷🇧🇷
Just a lot of great songs that cheer you up and make you happy...I will never forget when they hit the airwaves.
I remember the 1st song I heard was You Might Think but the song that got me was Who's gonna drive Home.
❤
Legends
Thanks for uploading this. This was really nice to see all them together. 👍 all memebers are great, but there was always something "cool" about Ric. His mannerisms, personality, way he dressed. Also, I can relate to him when he mentions about being nocturnal and the songs having that mysterious, dark element to them. And Ben was a beautiful man.
Thank you so much, you are very welcome. I 'retired' from this channel around 2 years ago but am still moved by the lovely fans who comment. The music of the Cars will live on. Warmest regards from Tasmania, Tia ☺
Benjamin really looks like he is close to the end. I see where he passed away in October 2000. RIP, loved his songs.
Duele ver así a Ben 😢Tus canciones con The Cars y en solitario fueron increíbles.
Rest In Peace brothers , you memories will last through the ages . 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🌹🌹🌹
I ❤ Cars 🎸🌹
Forever 🌹🎸✌️🙏☝️♥️🕶️⭐👁️
Good guys. Didn’t realize they were that tight.
Ben, Ric, Elliot, Greg, David we love you all. You were are youth. You were what we hummed. You were our wall cover. You were what filled our head phones. You were are dreams and possibilities. Thank you.
@@DesertPackrat 💜 💯.
I'm back again. August 2024. The Hall of Fame sucks because I feel The Cars deserved the induction in 1999 or sooner. The same for Todd Rundgren.
I whole heartedly agree with you!
The US would agree with you. And that's ok. But Europe didn't take them to their hearts. There was the new Brit wave going on, and the synth pop interest there was not into US bands. Kraftwerk, OMD, Depeche, Duran all distracted European fans. But Drive alone for me was enough to take these guys there, its still in the stars, and never came home. Its perfect.
09/27/24: Such intelligent people. What a pleasant experience to listen to them. Miss you, Ben. You were irreplaceable. Thank you, Ric. God bless them all.
We saw them live in Atlanta in 1987, Icehouse was the opening act. They were actually kind of boring on stage, there was no dialogue with the audience. The only time they spoke was announcing the next song. The performance, though, that was absolutely fantastic. It was the first time we'd ever seen a band perform live...sounding so much like a polished piece of work. Icehouse was also a great live band.
I was wondering when someone would say this.
I saw them somewhere around 1980 and was so excited. Adored them, still do.
I was so disappointed in the show, though.
As you said, zero interaction with the crowd, barely uttered a word.
Fantastic music, sold out crowd but I could have stayed home and listened to the album and saved travel and money.
If you go on Twitter, the question often comes up about best and worst concerts seen.
Far and away, The Cars showed up as the worst for that same reason.
In the Rolling Stone article, you hear that Ric didn't like touring. So, I suppose it was his rebellion in a sense...give fans the music, nothing more.
Still so glad I got to see them.❤
..told my daughters long ago.. if they ever wonder/ed who my favorite band is/was, just look at what CD is in my headboard player.. As usual, it’s ‘The Cars Greatest Hits’
Me too I still love them, I wore everything out that I had albums 8 tracks cassettes my 8-track player in my Camaro I used to have to put a match pack in the player under the 8-track tape so that it would play, but yeah I don't think a lot of people understood how good they really were❤