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Benjamin Orr and Mark Goodman interview, 1986
Benjamin Orr was interviewed by Mark Goodman on MTV during the promotion of his 1986 solo album, The Lace. The footage has been edited to remove the video fo...
Thank you my friend SGT (Join to see) for making us aware that on October 4, 2000 American rock bassist and singer Benjamin Orr [Orzechowski] from the Cars died of pancreatic cancer at the age of the 53.
Benjamin Orr and Mark Goodman interview, 1986
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=240Jxpy4KeA
Biographies:
1. imdb.com/name/nm0650526/bio
2. thefamouspeople.com/profiles/benjamin-orr-45567.php
Images:
1. Ben Orr - The Cars bass player in classic pose
2. Ben Orr & Ric Ocasek
3. Ben Orr marriage to his childhood sweetheart Kristina Orr
4. Ben Orr holding his son Ben with Ben's mother Edita Hartig
1. Background from {[https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0650526/bio]}
Ben Orr Biography
Overview (4)
Born September 8, 1947 in Cleveland, Ohio, USA
Died October 3, 2000 in Atlanta, Georgia, USA (pancreatic cancer)
Birth Name Benjamin Orzechowski
Height 5' 8½" (1.74 m)
Mini Bio (1)
Bassist and singer Ben Orr was born Benjamin Orzechowski on September 8, 1947 in Cleveland, Ohio. His Russian and Czechoslovakian parents actively encouraged his musical endeavors. Ben grew up in Lakewood and Parma Heights, Ohio. He played bass, keyboards, and percussion instruments in his teen years. Known locally as "Benny 11-Letters", Orr dropped out of Valley Forge High School to join the group, "The Grasshoppers", as both the lead singer and guitarist. "The Grasshoppers" were the house band on the local Cleveland TV music variety show, "Upbeat"; the group also released two singles on the Sunburst label and dissolved in 1967 after two members were drafted. Ben got drafted as well, but received a deferment after serving one and a half years in the Army. In 1970, Orr moved to Columbus, Ohio and met mellow musician, Ric Ocasek; the two formed a folk band called "Milkwood". "Milkwood" released an album, titled "How's the Weather?", in 1972. In the mid 70s, Ben became a member of the Boston, Massachusetts nightclub group, "Cap'n Swing"; two other members of this particular band were Ocasek and guitarist Elliot Easton. "Cap'n Swing" broke up in 1975. In 1976, Orr, Ocasek, Easton, drummer David Robinson, and keyboardist Greg Hawkes formed the hugely popular, successful and innovative New Wave synth-pop band, The Cars. Ben sang lead vocals on such hit "Cars" songs as "Bye, Bye Love", "Just What I Needed", "Let's Go", "Drive" and "Moving in Stereo". In 1986, he recorded the solo album, "The Lace", which beget the Top 40 hit song, "Stay the Night". Moreover, Orr was featured on Ocasek's solo album, "This Side of Paradise", and the Joni Mitchell albums, "Misses" and "Chalk Mark, in a Rain Storm". Ben left The Cars in 1987. From 1998 up until his death, Ben performed with his own band, "Orr", and the side bands, "Big People" and "the Voices of Classic Rock". He reunited with The Cars for the documentary The Cars: Live (2000) in the summer of 2000. Orr died at age 53 from pancreatic cancer on October 3, 2000 in Atlanta, Georgia.
- IMDb Mini Biography By: woodyanders
Trivia (5)
1. Bassist for the rock band The Cars. Also swapped lead vocals with member Ric Ocasek.
2. Sang lead vocals on many of The Cars' biggest hits, including "Just What I Needed", "Let's Go", "Moving in Stereo", and their biggest hit "Drive".
3. One of The Cars' two DVDs feature his final interview, done just months before his death. In the interview, his weakened condition is very apparent. He hardly even speaks in the interview.
4. Following his sudden death, he was interred at Saint Patrick Cemetery in Thompson, Geauga County, Ohio.
5. Posthumously inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame (as a member of The Cars) (2018).
Personal Quotes (1)
[asked if his illness--pancreatic cancer--would keep him from performing] If I fall down one day and can't get up, you will know it's over.
Background from {[https://www.thefamouspeople.com/profiles/benjamin-orr-45567.php]}
Benjamin Orr Biography
Benjamin Orr
• Childhood & Early Life
Quick Facts
Birthday: September 8, 1947
Nationality: American
Famous: Bassists Rock Singers
Died At Age: 53
Also Known As: Benjamin Orzechowski
Born Country: United States
Born In: Lakewood, Ohio, United States
Height: 5'10" (178 cm),
Family:
Spouse/Ex-: Judith Silverman, Kristina
Children: Ben
Died On: October 3, 2000
U.S. State: Ohio
Cause Of Death: Cancer
Benjamin Orr was an American singer and bassist, who was one of the co-founders of the rock band ‘The Cars’. He was originally from Ohio and started pursuing music quite early in his life. Known in his neighbourhood as "Benny 11 Letters", Benjamin could play a variety of instruments, including the drums, guitar, bass guitar, and keyboards. In 1964, he became a member of a band named Grasshoppers and wrote one of their singles, ‘Pink Champagne (and Red Roses)’. In the 1960s, he became acquainted with the future frontman of The Cars, Ric Ocasek. The group was formed in 1976 in Boston, Massachusetts, with Ocasek as the leading and backing vocalist, rhythm guitarist, and songwriter; Orr as the bassist and backing and leading vocalist; Elliot Easton as the lead guitarist; Greg Hawkes as the keyboardist; and David Robinson as the drummer. During Orr’s time with the group, they released six studio albums. He and Ocasek were also part of the folk band ‘Milkwood’ with guitarist James Goodkind for a brief period. After ‘The Cars’ split up in 1988, Orr sought to establish himself as a solo artist. He passed away in 2000 at age 53.
Childhood & Early Life
Benjamin Orr was born on September 8, 1947, in Lakewood, Ohio, to Charles and Betty Orzechowski. His family was of Polish, Russian, Czechoslovakian and German ancestry.
Encouraged by his parents, Benjamin quickly developed into a musical prodigy. He learned to play the guitar, bass guitar, drums, and keyboards. In his locality, he became known as "Benny 11 Letters" due to his surname.
Benjamin spent part of his childhood in Lakewood before relocating to Parma, Ohio. He was a student at Valley Forge High School. In 1964, he became the lead singer and guitarist of a local group named Grassroots. They put out two singles through Sunburst label in 1965: 'Mod Socks' and 'Pink Champagne (and Red Roses)'. The second one was penned by Benjamin. In 1966, Grassroots split up.
Career
At the advent of the Vietnam War, two of his bandmates were drafted into the US Army, resulting in the dissolution of Grassroots. Sometime later, Benjamin Orr also received his papers but got a deferment after spending a year and a half in the army.
He and Ric Ocasek met in the 1960s in Cleveland. A few years later, Orr relocated to Columbus, Ohio, and the two friends began a musical collaboration that persisted through for two decades.
In the early 1970s, they moved to Boston where they formed the folk band ‘Milkwood’ with guitarist James Goodkind. Milkwood’s only album, ‘How’s the Weather’, was released in 1973 through Paramount Records. However, it did not garner much response from the listeners.
Still remaining in Boston, Orr and Ocasek continued to search for ways to become musically relevant. They set up the group ‘Richard and the Rabbits’ with keyboardist Greg Hawkes and later established ‘Cap’n Swing’ with guitarist Elliot Easton. After the latter failed as well, the three of them came together with Hawkes and drummer David Robinson to form ‘The Cars’ in 1976.
Their debut self-titled album was released in 1978 through Elektra Records. Comprised of nine tracks, it reached the 18th spot on the US Billboard 200 chart. In December 1978, it received the Platinum certification from the Recording Industry Association of America or RIAA.
In the ensuing years, ‘The Cars’ released ‘Candy-O’ (1979), ‘Panorama’ (1980), ‘Shake It Up’ (1981), ‘Heartbeat City’ (1984), and ‘Door to Door’ (1987) before parting ways in 1988.
In 1986, Benjamin Orr released the only solo album of his career, ‘The Lace’, through Elektra. Produced by Mike Shipley, Orr, Diane Grey-Page, and Larry Klein, it contains his only solo hit, the track ‘Stay the Night’.
Between 1998 and 2000, he was part of three groups, his own band ‘ORR’ and the sidebands ‘Voices of Classic Rock’ and ‘Big People’.
Major Works
The Cars’ second album, ‘Candy-O’, was put out in 1979 through Elektra. Its cover art was created by artist Alberto Vargas. The album garnered positive responses from critics and fans alike and reached the third spot on the US Billboard 200 chart. As of December 2001, it had been certified 4xPlatinum by the RIAA
Family & Personal Life
Benjamin Orr was once married to his childhood sweetheart, Kristina, but they parted ways in 1981.
He was reportedly engaged to Diane Grey-Page from the mid to late 1980s. Thereafter, he was briefly married to Hollywood makeup artist Judith Silverman. He was in a relationship with Edita Hartig and had a son named Ben with her.
At the time of his death in 2000, Orr was engaged to a woman named Julie Snider.
Death
In April 2000, Benjamin Orr was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. He was subsequently hospitalized. Despite this, he kept on performing with Big People, making appearances in summer music festivals and state fairs. He also performed with The Cars one last time in Atlanta, Georgia.
Benjamin Orr died on October 4, 2000, in Atlanta. He is interred at St. Patrick's Cemetery in Thompson, Ohio.
FYI COL Mikel J. Burroughs Col Carl Whicker LTC (Join to see) LTC Wayne Brandon Maj Bill Smith, Ph.D. MAJ Dale E. Wilson, Ph.D. Maj Robert Thornton Maj Kim Patterson SSG Stephen Rogerson SSG Franklin Briant MSG Felipe De Leon Brown SMSgt Lawrence McCarter GySgt Thomas Vick MSgt David Hoffman PO1 William "Chip" Nagel SSG Michael Noll CW5 Jack Cardwell SPC Matthew Lamb
Benjamin Orr and Mark Goodman interview, 1986
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=240Jxpy4KeA
Biographies:
1. imdb.com/name/nm0650526/bio
2. thefamouspeople.com/profiles/benjamin-orr-45567.php
Images:
1. Ben Orr - The Cars bass player in classic pose
2. Ben Orr & Ric Ocasek
3. Ben Orr marriage to his childhood sweetheart Kristina Orr
4. Ben Orr holding his son Ben with Ben's mother Edita Hartig
1. Background from {[https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0650526/bio]}
Ben Orr Biography
Overview (4)
Born September 8, 1947 in Cleveland, Ohio, USA
Died October 3, 2000 in Atlanta, Georgia, USA (pancreatic cancer)
Birth Name Benjamin Orzechowski
Height 5' 8½" (1.74 m)
Mini Bio (1)
Bassist and singer Ben Orr was born Benjamin Orzechowski on September 8, 1947 in Cleveland, Ohio. His Russian and Czechoslovakian parents actively encouraged his musical endeavors. Ben grew up in Lakewood and Parma Heights, Ohio. He played bass, keyboards, and percussion instruments in his teen years. Known locally as "Benny 11-Letters", Orr dropped out of Valley Forge High School to join the group, "The Grasshoppers", as both the lead singer and guitarist. "The Grasshoppers" were the house band on the local Cleveland TV music variety show, "Upbeat"; the group also released two singles on the Sunburst label and dissolved in 1967 after two members were drafted. Ben got drafted as well, but received a deferment after serving one and a half years in the Army. In 1970, Orr moved to Columbus, Ohio and met mellow musician, Ric Ocasek; the two formed a folk band called "Milkwood". "Milkwood" released an album, titled "How's the Weather?", in 1972. In the mid 70s, Ben became a member of the Boston, Massachusetts nightclub group, "Cap'n Swing"; two other members of this particular band were Ocasek and guitarist Elliot Easton. "Cap'n Swing" broke up in 1975. In 1976, Orr, Ocasek, Easton, drummer David Robinson, and keyboardist Greg Hawkes formed the hugely popular, successful and innovative New Wave synth-pop band, The Cars. Ben sang lead vocals on such hit "Cars" songs as "Bye, Bye Love", "Just What I Needed", "Let's Go", "Drive" and "Moving in Stereo". In 1986, he recorded the solo album, "The Lace", which beget the Top 40 hit song, "Stay the Night". Moreover, Orr was featured on Ocasek's solo album, "This Side of Paradise", and the Joni Mitchell albums, "Misses" and "Chalk Mark, in a Rain Storm". Ben left The Cars in 1987. From 1998 up until his death, Ben performed with his own band, "Orr", and the side bands, "Big People" and "the Voices of Classic Rock". He reunited with The Cars for the documentary The Cars: Live (2000) in the summer of 2000. Orr died at age 53 from pancreatic cancer on October 3, 2000 in Atlanta, Georgia.
- IMDb Mini Biography By: woodyanders
Trivia (5)
1. Bassist for the rock band The Cars. Also swapped lead vocals with member Ric Ocasek.
2. Sang lead vocals on many of The Cars' biggest hits, including "Just What I Needed", "Let's Go", "Moving in Stereo", and their biggest hit "Drive".
3. One of The Cars' two DVDs feature his final interview, done just months before his death. In the interview, his weakened condition is very apparent. He hardly even speaks in the interview.
4. Following his sudden death, he was interred at Saint Patrick Cemetery in Thompson, Geauga County, Ohio.
5. Posthumously inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame (as a member of The Cars) (2018).
Personal Quotes (1)
[asked if his illness--pancreatic cancer--would keep him from performing] If I fall down one day and can't get up, you will know it's over.
Background from {[https://www.thefamouspeople.com/profiles/benjamin-orr-45567.php]}
Benjamin Orr Biography
Benjamin Orr
• Childhood & Early Life
Quick Facts
Birthday: September 8, 1947
Nationality: American
Famous: Bassists Rock Singers
Died At Age: 53
Also Known As: Benjamin Orzechowski
Born Country: United States
Born In: Lakewood, Ohio, United States
Height: 5'10" (178 cm),
Family:
Spouse/Ex-: Judith Silverman, Kristina
Children: Ben
Died On: October 3, 2000
U.S. State: Ohio
Cause Of Death: Cancer
Benjamin Orr was an American singer and bassist, who was one of the co-founders of the rock band ‘The Cars’. He was originally from Ohio and started pursuing music quite early in his life. Known in his neighbourhood as "Benny 11 Letters", Benjamin could play a variety of instruments, including the drums, guitar, bass guitar, and keyboards. In 1964, he became a member of a band named Grasshoppers and wrote one of their singles, ‘Pink Champagne (and Red Roses)’. In the 1960s, he became acquainted with the future frontman of The Cars, Ric Ocasek. The group was formed in 1976 in Boston, Massachusetts, with Ocasek as the leading and backing vocalist, rhythm guitarist, and songwriter; Orr as the bassist and backing and leading vocalist; Elliot Easton as the lead guitarist; Greg Hawkes as the keyboardist; and David Robinson as the drummer. During Orr’s time with the group, they released six studio albums. He and Ocasek were also part of the folk band ‘Milkwood’ with guitarist James Goodkind for a brief period. After ‘The Cars’ split up in 1988, Orr sought to establish himself as a solo artist. He passed away in 2000 at age 53.
Childhood & Early Life
Benjamin Orr was born on September 8, 1947, in Lakewood, Ohio, to Charles and Betty Orzechowski. His family was of Polish, Russian, Czechoslovakian and German ancestry.
Encouraged by his parents, Benjamin quickly developed into a musical prodigy. He learned to play the guitar, bass guitar, drums, and keyboards. In his locality, he became known as "Benny 11 Letters" due to his surname.
Benjamin spent part of his childhood in Lakewood before relocating to Parma, Ohio. He was a student at Valley Forge High School. In 1964, he became the lead singer and guitarist of a local group named Grassroots. They put out two singles through Sunburst label in 1965: 'Mod Socks' and 'Pink Champagne (and Red Roses)'. The second one was penned by Benjamin. In 1966, Grassroots split up.
Career
At the advent of the Vietnam War, two of his bandmates were drafted into the US Army, resulting in the dissolution of Grassroots. Sometime later, Benjamin Orr also received his papers but got a deferment after spending a year and a half in the army.
He and Ric Ocasek met in the 1960s in Cleveland. A few years later, Orr relocated to Columbus, Ohio, and the two friends began a musical collaboration that persisted through for two decades.
In the early 1970s, they moved to Boston where they formed the folk band ‘Milkwood’ with guitarist James Goodkind. Milkwood’s only album, ‘How’s the Weather’, was released in 1973 through Paramount Records. However, it did not garner much response from the listeners.
Still remaining in Boston, Orr and Ocasek continued to search for ways to become musically relevant. They set up the group ‘Richard and the Rabbits’ with keyboardist Greg Hawkes and later established ‘Cap’n Swing’ with guitarist Elliot Easton. After the latter failed as well, the three of them came together with Hawkes and drummer David Robinson to form ‘The Cars’ in 1976.
Their debut self-titled album was released in 1978 through Elektra Records. Comprised of nine tracks, it reached the 18th spot on the US Billboard 200 chart. In December 1978, it received the Platinum certification from the Recording Industry Association of America or RIAA.
In the ensuing years, ‘The Cars’ released ‘Candy-O’ (1979), ‘Panorama’ (1980), ‘Shake It Up’ (1981), ‘Heartbeat City’ (1984), and ‘Door to Door’ (1987) before parting ways in 1988.
In 1986, Benjamin Orr released the only solo album of his career, ‘The Lace’, through Elektra. Produced by Mike Shipley, Orr, Diane Grey-Page, and Larry Klein, it contains his only solo hit, the track ‘Stay the Night’.
Between 1998 and 2000, he was part of three groups, his own band ‘ORR’ and the sidebands ‘Voices of Classic Rock’ and ‘Big People’.
Major Works
The Cars’ second album, ‘Candy-O’, was put out in 1979 through Elektra. Its cover art was created by artist Alberto Vargas. The album garnered positive responses from critics and fans alike and reached the third spot on the US Billboard 200 chart. As of December 2001, it had been certified 4xPlatinum by the RIAA
Family & Personal Life
Benjamin Orr was once married to his childhood sweetheart, Kristina, but they parted ways in 1981.
He was reportedly engaged to Diane Grey-Page from the mid to late 1980s. Thereafter, he was briefly married to Hollywood makeup artist Judith Silverman. He was in a relationship with Edita Hartig and had a son named Ben with her.
At the time of his death in 2000, Orr was engaged to a woman named Julie Snider.
Death
In April 2000, Benjamin Orr was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. He was subsequently hospitalized. Despite this, he kept on performing with Big People, making appearances in summer music festivals and state fairs. He also performed with The Cars one last time in Atlanta, Georgia.
Benjamin Orr died on October 4, 2000, in Atlanta. He is interred at St. Patrick's Cemetery in Thompson, Ohio.
FYI COL Mikel J. Burroughs Col Carl Whicker LTC (Join to see) LTC Wayne Brandon Maj Bill Smith, Ph.D. MAJ Dale E. Wilson, Ph.D. Maj Robert Thornton Maj Kim Patterson SSG Stephen Rogerson SSG Franklin Briant MSG Felipe De Leon Brown SMSgt Lawrence McCarter GySgt Thomas Vick MSgt David Hoffman PO1 William "Chip" Nagel SSG Michael Noll CW5 Jack Cardwell SPC Matthew Lamb
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The Cars LIVE In Houston, Texas 1984 (BEST PICTURE QUALITY ON YOUTUBE)
The Cars Tuesday, September 11, 1984 The Summit, Houston, Texas Hello Again 0:40 It's Not the Night 4:35 Touch and Go 8:22 Good Times Roll 13:18 Jimmy, Jimmy...
The Cars LIVE In Houston, Texas 1984 (BEST PICTURE QUALITY ON YOUTUBE)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NksIQdzK6d4
Images:
1. Ben Orr with Diane Grey Page
2. John Kalishes and Benjamin Orr
3. Benjamin Orr Performing at the Fairfax Fair
4. Benjamin Orr natural hair
Background from {[https://www.allmusic.com/artist/benjamin-orr-mn [login to see] /biography]}
Artist Biography by Ed Hogan
Benjamin Orr was the bassist/singer of the Cars, who had such '80s-era Top Ten Pop hits as "Drive," "Shake It Up," "You Might Think," and "Tonight She Comes." "Magic" and "Let's Go" made the Top 20. Orr sang lead on "Drive" and "Just What I Needed."
Born Benjamin Orzechowski on September 8, 1947, in Lakewood (Cleveland), OH, Orr would entertain his family and friends with Elvis Presley imitations. During his teens, he learned to play guitar, bass, keyboards, and percussion instruments. Dropping out of high school, he earned a living as a session guitarist and as a member of local Cleveland TV show, Upbeat.
Orr introduced himself to singer/guitarist Ric Ocasek at a band rehearsal. Later, the two played each other their original songs. Ocasek asked him to join his band and Orr became their keyboardist. The band had the same booking agency as the Stooges and MC5 and they all began touring together.
After a while, Orr and the rest of the rest of the band headed to New York City in search of stardom. They performed on the city's club circuit for two years, then the band broke up. Ocasek moved to Boston and Orr returned to Ohio. Some time later, Ocasek invited the bassist/singer to come out to Boston because it had a good music scene. They performed in New England Clubs in various incarnations, sometimes as an acoustic guitar duo. They bluffed to get gigs by telling the club owners that they played "covers" (the hit songs of the day), then launched into their original songs. A practice that sometimes got them fired from the gig.
In 1976, Orr and Ocasek recruited left-handed lead guitarist Elliott Easton for their band Cap'n Swing. Multi-instrumentalist Greg Hawkes, whom Orr and Ocasek had worked with on an album for the group Milkwood, and drummer David Robinson joined soon after. This new band became the Cars.
When their demo of "Just What I Needed" began receiving airplay on Boston radio stations WCBN-FM and WCOZ-FM, the record companies began offering recording deals to the band. Signing with Elektra/Asylum, their first album, The Cars, with production by Roy Thomas Baker, was released in May 1978. The second album, Candy O, was released in June 1979 and went platinum. At the same time, the Cars was racking up platinum-plus sales. The hits continued with platinum awards for Shake It Up (1981) and Heartbeart City, while their Greatest Hits made it into the Top 20 in 1986. That same year, the Cars disbanded.
Around the same time, Orr embarked on a solo career and had a hit with "Stay the Night" from his album The Lace. He also appeared on Ocasek's solo LP This Side of Paradise and two Joni Mitchell albums: Misses and Chalk Mark in a Rain Storm. Rhino issued the two CD set Just What I Needed: The Cars Anthology in November 1995. In the late '90s, Orr began performing with Big People, which included former 38 Special guitarist Jeff Carlisi.
During the summer of 2000, Orr reunited with the rest of the Cars to film the documentary The Cars Live, which was scheduled for release in November of that year by Rhino Home Video.
At the age of 53, Benjamin Orr died from pancreatic cancer in his Atlanta, GA, home on October 3, 2000.
FYI SSG Michael Noll CPT (Join to see) SPC Randy Zimmerman SPC Chris Bayner-Cwik SSG Diane R. SFC (Join to see) LTC Hillary Luton Lt Col John (Jack) Christensen Lt Col Charlie Brown LTC Greg Henning TSgt David L. Alan K. Maj William W. 'Bill' Price SGT Mark Anderson CPL Dave Hoover Cpl (Join to see) 1SG (Join to see) 1SG Steven Imerman PO2 Frederick Dunn
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NksIQdzK6d4
Images:
1. Ben Orr with Diane Grey Page
2. John Kalishes and Benjamin Orr
3. Benjamin Orr Performing at the Fairfax Fair
4. Benjamin Orr natural hair
Background from {[https://www.allmusic.com/artist/benjamin-orr-mn [login to see] /biography]}
Artist Biography by Ed Hogan
Benjamin Orr was the bassist/singer of the Cars, who had such '80s-era Top Ten Pop hits as "Drive," "Shake It Up," "You Might Think," and "Tonight She Comes." "Magic" and "Let's Go" made the Top 20. Orr sang lead on "Drive" and "Just What I Needed."
Born Benjamin Orzechowski on September 8, 1947, in Lakewood (Cleveland), OH, Orr would entertain his family and friends with Elvis Presley imitations. During his teens, he learned to play guitar, bass, keyboards, and percussion instruments. Dropping out of high school, he earned a living as a session guitarist and as a member of local Cleveland TV show, Upbeat.
Orr introduced himself to singer/guitarist Ric Ocasek at a band rehearsal. Later, the two played each other their original songs. Ocasek asked him to join his band and Orr became their keyboardist. The band had the same booking agency as the Stooges and MC5 and they all began touring together.
After a while, Orr and the rest of the rest of the band headed to New York City in search of stardom. They performed on the city's club circuit for two years, then the band broke up. Ocasek moved to Boston and Orr returned to Ohio. Some time later, Ocasek invited the bassist/singer to come out to Boston because it had a good music scene. They performed in New England Clubs in various incarnations, sometimes as an acoustic guitar duo. They bluffed to get gigs by telling the club owners that they played "covers" (the hit songs of the day), then launched into their original songs. A practice that sometimes got them fired from the gig.
In 1976, Orr and Ocasek recruited left-handed lead guitarist Elliott Easton for their band Cap'n Swing. Multi-instrumentalist Greg Hawkes, whom Orr and Ocasek had worked with on an album for the group Milkwood, and drummer David Robinson joined soon after. This new band became the Cars.
When their demo of "Just What I Needed" began receiving airplay on Boston radio stations WCBN-FM and WCOZ-FM, the record companies began offering recording deals to the band. Signing with Elektra/Asylum, their first album, The Cars, with production by Roy Thomas Baker, was released in May 1978. The second album, Candy O, was released in June 1979 and went platinum. At the same time, the Cars was racking up platinum-plus sales. The hits continued with platinum awards for Shake It Up (1981) and Heartbeart City, while their Greatest Hits made it into the Top 20 in 1986. That same year, the Cars disbanded.
Around the same time, Orr embarked on a solo career and had a hit with "Stay the Night" from his album The Lace. He also appeared on Ocasek's solo LP This Side of Paradise and two Joni Mitchell albums: Misses and Chalk Mark in a Rain Storm. Rhino issued the two CD set Just What I Needed: The Cars Anthology in November 1995. In the late '90s, Orr began performing with Big People, which included former 38 Special guitarist Jeff Carlisi.
During the summer of 2000, Orr reunited with the rest of the Cars to film the documentary The Cars Live, which was scheduled for release in November of that year by Rhino Home Video.
At the age of 53, Benjamin Orr died from pancreatic cancer in his Atlanta, GA, home on October 3, 2000.
FYI SSG Michael Noll CPT (Join to see) SPC Randy Zimmerman SPC Chris Bayner-Cwik SSG Diane R. SFC (Join to see) LTC Hillary Luton Lt Col John (Jack) Christensen Lt Col Charlie Brown LTC Greg Henning TSgt David L. Alan K. Maj William W. 'Bill' Price SGT Mark Anderson CPL Dave Hoover Cpl (Join to see) 1SG (Join to see) 1SG Steven Imerman PO2 Frederick Dunn
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Luv the Cars brother David. Sad share sung lead on a few songs too if I remember correctly.
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