Rockers Mourn The Cars’ Ric Ocasek

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The Cars 1978 debut album

As news of the death of Ric Ocasek spread, tributes began to arrive for the legendary frontman for The Cars. Many of those mourning were his music contemporaries from the band’s heyday of the late ’70s through mid ’80s.

Sources say Ocasek was found unresponsive in his New York City apartment on Sunday afternoon, September 15, by his estranged wife, model Paulina Porizkova. The couple separated in 2018 after 28 years of marriage.

Among those paying tribute were fellow rockers Peter Frampton, Billy Idol, the Scorpions, and Weezer, for whom Ocasek produced several albums. Our list also includes many from other entertainers fields.

Related: Ocasek’s family issued a statement one day after his death

From his cars bandmate, Elliot Easton…

From Peter Frampton, who’s on his farewell tour…

Ocasek produced several albums for Weezer…

Journey’s Neal Schon wrote: “I was reading and thinking about Ric Ocasek & Eddie Money just the other day passing and this came out. R.I.P. Eddie & Ric our condolences to your families and friends. God Bless.

From the Killers’ frontman Brandon Flowers, who gave the induction speech for the Cars into the Rock Hall in 2018…

From Martha Quinn, one of MTV’s five original VJs, during the Cars’ peak, wrote: “Ric Ocasek, The Cars set tone of #80s before 80s even started – Just What I Needed, Best Friend’s Girl, Good Times Roll. The Shake It Up and Heartbeat City lps brought motorcade of hits to our decade. Dad to 6 sons. Rock Hall of Famer. Thank u for it all Ric.”

Alice Cooper wrote: “We have lost another great in Rock N Roll Hall Of Famer Ric Ocasek of The Cars. Ric and I actually used to be neighbors for a time when we lived in the Hollywood Hills. Ric had a very unique voice for rock n roll, there was just nothing complicated about it and that really gave The Cars an edge on the radio. They spearheaded a simplistic new wave of minimalist rock alongside producer Roy Thomas Baker, much to the delight of car stereos and fans everywhere. Condolences to his family and many fans. We’ll miss ya man.”

Comedy film director Judd Apatow tweeted: “I remembering listening to the first Cars record when I was ten with my mom and it was so much fun. Forty one years later it sounds like it was recorded yesterday. It created a new path and inspired so many great bands. He was a legend who brought us all a ton of joy.”

Best Classic Bands Staff

2 Comments so far

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  1. David
    #1 David 17 September, 2019, 00:11

    Rest in Peace. I saw the cars at Pacific Ampitheatre in Costa Mesa in 1984. Great show!!!!!

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  2. Gigi
    #2 Gigi 19 September, 2019, 13:10

    Really missing Rick and the Cars. Fond memories jamming this new kind of music in my first car back in the day and saw the Cars in Richmond Va. One of the best concerts ever. RIP Rick.

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