Did you know that Ric Ocasek and Ben Orr met at a party in Columbus, Ohio, and soon after began performing as a duo?

They later relocated to Boston where they met up with Greg Hawkes and formed a folk band called Milkwood. Under this name, they released an album called How's The Weather.

Ric is not proud of this part of his career, but admits that he still has a copy of the Milkwood album - - though he never listens to it.

After Milkwood, there were various member changes as well as name changes. Some of the band names: Richard And The Rabbits, Ocasek And Orr, and Captain Swing.

Benjamin Orr, who had been suffering for a time with pancreatic cancer, lost his battle on October 3, 2000.

There is a tribute band covering The Cars music, and they call themselves: Used Cars. (:lol: Clever!)

What do you know about The Cars? :)

I had no idea that Ben had died until now! :(

In New Zealand (in 1986) Ben had a solo hit with "Stay the Night" and Ric had a hit with "Emotion in motion"

In 1984 they enjoyed worldwide success with "Drive,' and a year later the same song was opportunistically but tastefully used to pull at people's consciences during the Live Aid concert. A film accompanying the song, showing the appalling famine in Ethiopia, will forever remain in peoples" minds; as the lyric "Who's gonna plug their ears when you scream" was played, it was replaced by a heart-rending scream from a small child.

Ric Ocasek has also been a record producer, producing such acts as Weezer.

The cover of their second album, "Candy-O", was specially painted by Alberto Vargas (1896-1982), legendary illustrator of those sexy "cheesecake" pin-ups that were popular among American soldiers in WWII. Drummer David Robinson was a big fan of his art and asked Vargas to do it.

US charts:
#27 Just what I needed 1978
#35 My best friend's girl 1978
#41 Good times roll 1979
#14 Let's go 1979
#41 It's all I can do 1979
#37 Touch and go 1980
#4 Shake it up 1982
#41 Since you're gone 1982
#7 You might think 1984
#12 Magic 1984
#3 Drive 1984
#20 Hello again 1984
#33 Why can't I have you 1985
#7 Tonight she comes 1986
#32 I'm not the one 1986
#17 You are the girl 1987
#85 Strap me in 1987
#74 Coming up you 1988
Ric Ocasek:
#47 Something to grab for 1983
#15 Emotion in motion 1986
#75 True to you 1987
Benjamin Orr:
#24 Stay the night 1987

UK charts:
#3 My best friend's girl 1978
#17 Just what I needed 1979
#51 Let's go 1979
#37 Since you're gone 1982
#5 Drive 1984
#4 Drive (re-entry) 1985

Album rock charts:
#2 Shake it up 1982
#37 Cruiser 1982
#39 Victim of love 1982
#24 Since you're gone 1982
#1 You might think 1984
#1 Magic 1984
#22 Hello again 1984
#3 Drive 1984
#31 It's not the night 1984
#11 Why can't I have you 1985
#19 Breakaway 1985
#1 Tonight she comes 1985
#29 I'm not the one 1986
#2 You are the girl 1987
#4 Strap me in 1987
#42 Double trouble 1987
Ric Ocasek:
#5 Something to grab for 1983
#25 Jimmy Jimmy 1983
#1 Emotion in motion 1986
#9 True to you 1986
#11 Rockaway 1991
Benjamin Orr:
#6 Stay the night 1986
#25 Too hot to stop 1987

Modern rock charts:
Ric Ocasek:
#19 Rockaway 1991

Adult Contemporary charts:
#1 Drive 1984
#38 Why can't I have you 1985
#36 Tonight she comes 1985
#24 I'm not the one 1986
#12 You are the girl 1987
#37 Coming up you 1988
Ric Ocasek:
#8 Emotion in motion 1986
Benjamin Orr:
#2 Stay the night 1986

Ric Ocasek (not his real name) wrote all the songs. The rest of the band just came in and learned them, according to Ric.

Ocasek married the ultimate 80's babe Paulina Porizkova, they are still married.

Elliot Easton (guitar player) posts on the Fender guitar forum and has been very forthcoming about the band.

"The Cars, Complete Greatest Hits" was released in 2002.

I found a strange compilation double CD "Just What I Needed" which has 40 songs, some of their big ones, but also has single B sides and two demo tracks.

Ocasek has released several solo albums, and is a produce for bands like Weezer.