The Cars was an influential new wave group with a 10-year life span. It is unlikely that anyone who has listened to rock radio since 1978 is unfamiliar with the group’s synthesizer/guitar driven pop sound. Although they hit the big time after relocating to Boston, The Cars have deep Ohio roots. Front man Ric Ocasek and bassist Benjamin Orr, the founding members, first met in Cleveland in the 60s. Ocasek lived in Maple Heights, and Orr lived in Lakewood. They played together in bands in Columbus and Ann Arbor through the early 70s.
The Cars was the band’s debut album, released in 1978, and was the biggest seller (7X Platinum) of its 7 studio albums. But, Heartbeat City, released March 13, 1984, was The Cars’ most successful work. The 4X Platinum album spawned 5 top 25 singles, including 3 Billboard #1s (“You Might Think” – Mainstream Rock, “Magic” – Mainstream Rock, and “Drive” – Adult Contemporary – “Hello Again” and “Why Can’t I Have You” were #11 and #22).
MTV was certainly a significant contributing factor to The Cars’ success. They came along just as the network went on the air. “You Might Think” won the very first Video of the Year award. The video for “Hello Again” was directed by Andy Warhol, who also appeared as a gentlemen’s club bartender.
Heartbeat City was followed by one more studio album before the group broke up in 1988. Benjamin Orr died from pancreatic cancer in 2000. The surviving members reunited in late 2010, and released a last studio album the following spring. They have not broken up, but have been inactive since the end of their 2011 tour.
