His music borrowed elements from punk and glam rock, but added synthesisers and the sort of catchy melodies found in classic pop
for his photographs and prints. Then it was a laboratory. Mr Ocasek’s father was an analyst at NASA and he, too, was intrigued by how things fit together: he would spend hours tinkering with electronics. Later it was a studio, a place for Mr Ocasek to study chords on the piano and contemplate what made Buddy Holly’s sound so distinctive. It was in his subterranean den that he could make best use of his guitar, a gift from his grandmother, who encouraged him to sing.
The Cars’ self-titled album , recorded in just 12 days with the help of Roy Thomas Baker, the top producer of the day, was full of tunes suited to the airwaves. The music borrowed elements from punk and glam rock—Mr Ocasek named many of his songs after rock’s early hits—but added synthesisers, electronic sounds and the sort of catchy melodies found in classic pop. The band’s direct antecedent was
The band was not known for dynamic live performances. “I never think, ‘Wow, I can’t wait to get the crowd moving,’” Mr Ocasek“Some of my favourite bands never moved an inch.” Yet they excelled at the music-video format, and the rise of MTV coincided with their fifth album, “Heartbeat City” . Mr Ocasek, gangly but highly watchable, made a magnetic protagonist in the videos for “Magic” and “You Might Think” . Special effects turned him into King Kong, or a fly, or showed him walking on water.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Watch The Killers Cover 'My Best Friend's Girl' to Honor The Cars Frontman Ric OcasekThe Killers’ frontman Brandon Flowers dedicated part of the band’s Bethlehem, Pa. set last night (Sept. 19) to new wave pioneering frontman of The Cars, Ric Ocasek, who died earlier this week from heart disease at age 75.
Read more »
Streams of The Cars Songs Rise 643% Following Ric Ocasek's DeathFollowing the death of The Cars’ frontman Ric Ocasek’s death on Sept. 15, on-demand streams of his band’s songs vaulted 643% in the U.S., according to initial reports to Nielsen Music.
Read more »
How Ric Ocasek Met Paulina Porizkova, and Helped Define the ’80s, With the Cars’ Weird Music VideosWith his gawky frame and indeterminate age, the late singer-songwriter was the unlikeliest video star of the decade—and the first to land in the Museum of Modern Art.
Read more »
New tech aims to prevent kids and pets from dying in hot carsAt least 20 automakers have agreed to install new technology that alerts drivers to kids or pets left in the back of a hot car.
Read more »
Bop Shop: Songs From The Cars, Charli XCX, Princess Nokia, And MoreThe BopShop is open for business, and we're bopping to fresh new tracks from carolineplz, bludetiger, princessnokia, and more 🎶
Read more »
Joe Kennedy Dodges Crashing Planes, Swerving Cars After Announcing Campaign For SenateBOSTON—Moments after announcing plans to mount a 2020 challenge to Ed Markey for his Massachusetts Senate seat, Representative Joe Kennedy III was forced Saturday to dodge crashing planes, swerving cars, and a tumbling stampede of rolling concrete tubes all seemingly charging in his direction. “I believe this state is ready for a bold change in direction, and I intend to take us there next year—oh, dear God!” said Kennedy, who covered his head to shield himself from debris as a tractor trailer smashed wildly through the wall behind him, then sprinted into the street past several exploding manhole covers, eluding a dozen lightning strikes, ducking just under the swinging attacks of several sword-wielding assassins, hiding in an alleyway from a sniper’s laser sights, and finally jumping clear of a sinkhole that swallowed several blocks of East Boston. “Help! Help! Can anyone hear me? Jesus Christ, how are there two tidal waves in the middle of the city?” At press time, Kennedy was spotted waving to paparazzi while boarding a rickety vintage light plane and setting off towards a campaign appearance directly into a raging thunderstorm.
Read more »