Ric Ocasek who was the lead singer of the 1980s band The Cars has died aged 75. Ocasek was found dead in his apartment on Sunday after his family found him unresponsive. The cause of death is unknown but there was no signs of foul play.
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Ocasek sang, played guitar and wrote some of the band’s music. The Cars was formed in Boston in the mid-1970s by Ocasek and band-mate Benjamin Orr after they met at high school. The band broke up in the late 1980s as Ocasek started his solo career. Orr then died in 2000 from pancreatic cancer.
In 2011, the remaining band members got back together to0 release a final album.
Many people have expressed their sympathy on social media…
Bryan Adams wrote: “RIP Ric Ocasek. Great songwriter and singer for the Cars #RIPRicOcasek”
I’m stunned and saddened by the loss of Ric Ocasek – he was a visionary who affected the lives and hearts of everyone who listened to music in the 80s. God Speed, Ric! Keep Moving in Stereo!
— RainnWilson (@rainnwilson) September 16, 2019
Red Hot Chili Peppers bassist Flea, real name Michael Balzary, wrote on Instagram: “Ahh man, say it ain’t so. I loved Ric Ocasek.
“What an interesting, smart, kind, funny man who made incredible records. I loved those Cars albums when I was a teenager.
“Perfect pop songs with those wicked Elliot Easton guitar solos. Absolute candy.
“Then he went and produced Rock For Light by the Bad Brains. As an adult I met him several times and he was gracious, funny and engaging. Ahh man.
“Ahh damn. Bless his soul. R.I.P. Transcend to the other side Ric. So much love and appreciation from me. You’re All I Got Tonight.”
I will never stop imitating the first Cars album. His influence will always stay with me. RIP and Thank You to Ric Ocasek.
— Carl Newman (@ACNewman) September 16, 2019
Ocasek had six sons and married three times. He was brought up in Baltimore, Maryland, and moved to Cleveland, Ohio with his family when he was a teenager.
