Ric was quoted as saying "If it was a good song I sang it, if it was a great song Ben sang it"

@gregtuco1

6 ай бұрын

I've posted that quote too, many times.

@mikejohn0088

5 ай бұрын

Humble sees reality while arrogance sees himself.

@vincents9620

4 ай бұрын

dudes were so iconic

@jIMwILLIAMS-im7kk

4 ай бұрын

Wore their 8 track out in my first car( used 72 maverick ) back in 81 . Man what times...

@bugalooanzal4564

3 ай бұрын

@@jIMwILLIAMS-im7kk my first purchase of a rock bank was the Cars 1st album, but I bought it on 8 track. Played it on my 1 speaker 8 track radio😁 . Good Times!

02:29 Rock. God. RIP Ben Orr, you fucking absolute legend.

@petehuckleberry5068

2 ай бұрын

Dont think the universal power source of all reality is or ever was in a rock band.

@Juleforthecity

3 сағат бұрын

That's my favorite part too- the side glance!

I was there, I was 17- I’m 61 now . Still love the cars.😸🤘

@IAmKdizzle

6 ай бұрын

That’s pretty cool 🎉

@goodcitizen4587

6 ай бұрын

Noice!

@markflood9755

6 ай бұрын

That is cool I'm 61 too and a fan

@steveburke9992

4 ай бұрын

My first concert at 16. I'll be 62 soon. Still love the Cars.

@larmondoflairallen4705

2 ай бұрын

You weren't there.

It always amazed me when Rick Ocasik became the “face” of the Cars. The whole band is awesome. Ben Orr didn’t get enough credit

@tamponnebretagne6240

2 жыл бұрын

Ben aurait dû être le seul chanteur et ric ocasek le parolier.chacun son rôle. Les autres musiciens étaient a leur place.BEN aurait dû être une rock star mondiale.il avait tout pour lui:la voix la beauté. Le Style.repose en paix BEN.20 ans aujourd hui.DEFRANCE

@user-cb7jq6rv1j

2 жыл бұрын

such a fox🤍

@user-cb7jq6rv1j

2 жыл бұрын

@@tamponnebretagne6240 RIP B.C. AND R.O.🌹🌹

@captainimij

2 жыл бұрын

The fans that knew better gave him credit.

@krisadamslarson9446

2 жыл бұрын

He never cared about getting the credit. Not your typical rockstar- lovely in every way… a humble too.

Keep in mind, kids. This was LIVE! An actual live performance. The Midnight Special provided some of the most significant footage in all of rock history.

@meotv2336

4 жыл бұрын

The best

@bobcannell9007

4 жыл бұрын

And if you could not play it live, people laughed at you...

@paulkelly8533

4 жыл бұрын

You had to SING and PLAY on that show. "Midnight" wasn't lip-sync-it Solid Gold or Soul Train. "Go out there and display your talents, m'fr's!"

@stephenbruce4052

4 жыл бұрын

i like the lefty like hendrix they used to think they were cursed stevie wonder xo

@BEHEDETY

4 жыл бұрын

Yes!

THE CARS do what is the most difficult thing in music to do...create a sound exclusive to them. Nothing sounded like Cars before or since. Pure genius. You know a Cars tune immediately, add professional musicians at every corner and you have Hall of Fame material and easily one of the most listenable music catalogue in history.

@gregphillips2827

5 жыл бұрын

Aaron Anderson Often imitated, never duplicated.

@jiffjiffernson7292

5 жыл бұрын

Moreover, there sound wasn't repeated on the radio within weeks and they had a sound that lasted for several years. A few guys have noted their influence today.

@SoapinTrucker

5 жыл бұрын

The B-52'S did it too, totally unique!!!!! :)

@benjaminorrelectricangelro5493

5 жыл бұрын

Well said Aaron Anderson :)

@cleawox

5 жыл бұрын

Yes, and with mostly simple, familiar musical ideas....yet magic.

Playing synchopated bass lines, singing with such fluidity and a calm stage presence.... amazing, a true pro.

@davidhobart9597

Ай бұрын

Very difficult to do and he made it look easy

This live performance really makes you appreciate how great the Cars were. They sound amazing.

@greasyflight6609

Жыл бұрын

Unreal

@jlbrpt

8 ай бұрын

Especially when Benjamin Orr sang lead vocals on a song instead of Ric Ocasek.

@KittyGrizGriz

8 ай бұрын

@@delbertgrady413No they weren’t, they were “New Wave” and we took notice of the new genre of music & embraced them! I saw them at the beginning in ‘79 @ Arrowhead Stadium, they flat new wave rocked us out! 😅

@user-kx6vk3nj9u

6 ай бұрын

Awful in concert. They played about an hour.

@mikejohn0088

5 ай бұрын

Saw them in a private venue in '72... no idea how I got home.

Here's a band in the late 70's setting up the look and sounds of the 80's

@stevefisk4652

6 ай бұрын

That's exactly right. Great comment.

@fortunatoofamontillado1059

6 ай бұрын

pretty much!

@SDeanP

6 ай бұрын

Yes!

@stephenstone8480

6 ай бұрын

Not necessarily a good thing...the eighties sucked...especially when compared to the 60's and 70's...

@fortunatoofamontillado1059

6 ай бұрын

Il agree.. but the eighties had its highlights@@stephenstone8480

Killer vocals by Ben. Rest in peace my friend!

Lots of Ben Orr fans here...and he deserves every one of us.

Ben Orr... was the whole rock package.. talent, killer voice and drop dead gorgeous looks.

I was in high school late 70s early 80s and for me the Cars were the sound of my youth.

@greasyflight6609

11 ай бұрын

Toronto?

@barryh5877

4 ай бұрын

Me too!

@mikethetoolman8776

3 ай бұрын

cars and loverboy, all we needed!

@dixxee

2 ай бұрын

Same

Benjamin Orr was an amazing talent. He elevated the band but each member contributed to the success.

@GlennTillema

6 ай бұрын

Ric said that when a song needed a good singer he'd always ask Ben to sing it.

Ben Orr sang with perfection. As I unearth and discover these old videos I am even more enchanted by his alluring energy.

@user-lg1hh6on8m

Жыл бұрын

СОГЛАСНА НА ВСЕ 100000%!👌🤞🤝🤝🤝🇸🇮🇸🇮🇸🇮🇸🇮

@mizzury54

10 ай бұрын

Great unique vocals.

@susanhartline7539

10 ай бұрын

me too!! I'm 63 and missed a lot of years of TV and MTV/Cable - it's refreshing honestly!! 9-2023

@jimbojam65

10 ай бұрын

He was always note-perfect.

@Andrew_M_Ward

10 ай бұрын

I saw them on the Panorama tour in 1981 and my first reaction to Benjamin Orr was, man he is absolutely beautiful and I'm a straight white male. And then he sang and played perfectly and the band was incredible - it was all pretty fantastic

The Cars music was way ahead of its time and is timeless !

@AmayzArt

3 ай бұрын

But we are now ahead of time and look around....so, no they were right on time with the romantic renaissance movement of music, that has never been again.....now there is only crap.

One of those songs that just never gets old. Greg Hawkes, one of the most underrated keyboard players ever.

@ouimetco

2 ай бұрын

Keyboardist are seriously underrated. Check out that guy that played with Stevie Ray Vaughan

@grahamstuart9164

2 ай бұрын

Underrated? Take a look at all the awards that guy has won for synthesizers. Recognized as the godfather of the synthesizer.

@EM-mw2qr

Ай бұрын

He reminds me of Keith Emerson.

This song brings back memories. My dad was a truck driver and when I will go on trips with him he will put this song full volume…wide open throttle turbo whistling floating them gears on the open road man what a time. Miss going on those trips with my dad.

I never realized how good ben Orr really was. A true superstar!

@57highland

Жыл бұрын

The Cars were the musical equivalent of a baseball All-Star team.

@JerseyManMag

Жыл бұрын

@@57highland I agree one of the most underrated bands of all time.

@williamrgutrich7694

Жыл бұрын

And he was prettier than my 2nd wife.

@whome1299

Жыл бұрын

​@@williamrgutrich7694😂

@vcp93

Жыл бұрын

Agreed. The Cars had some serious firepower. Two distinctive lead singers, Elliot Easton was a taste-machine on lead guitar, and David Robinson from the Modern Lovers was no lightweight either. Super talented band.

I'm so glad this was my era, we had so much fun. We were never home. Always up and moving, out and about. Cruising or hanging out. Blasting our music

Keep coming back to this clip. To me, Ben Orr is one of the greatest rock singers of all time. We lost him much too early.

@susanmaynard8652

Жыл бұрын

Ya what? He died? What?

@GT-bz9nc

Жыл бұрын

Ass clown, say what?

@atomicwedgie8176

Жыл бұрын

@@susanmaynard8652 Pancreatic cancer at age 50.

@stevepickett4453

Жыл бұрын

We sure do ,,,, RIP 🙏 BEN

@tabithagamblin5117

Жыл бұрын

Actually he was 53 when he passed away.

Benjamin Orr was amazing. Spot on tone, intonation and phrasing. Fits and frames the song perfectly. Always musical.

@reesedaniel5835

3 жыл бұрын

He was the most equisitely gorgeous man I've ever seen.

@williamhucker7797

3 жыл бұрын

@@reesedaniel5835 Yes, absolutely no doubt about that, stunningly beautiful. From Patricia H. not William H.

@lisatrautner9426

2 жыл бұрын

@@reesedaniel5835 damn pancreatic cancer.😢

@jtb1649

2 жыл бұрын

sat front row at maple leaf gardens in 1979 . great band and as with any great music timeless.

@CSRookie

2 жыл бұрын

this song has very short phrases..... just sayin'

Now THAT is a rock star.

Rest in Peace Ric Ocasek!! There will never be another like you.

@RockfrdDrm

4 жыл бұрын

This is a sad week indeed. Eddie, then Ric.........shit ..........I hate life right now.

@TuckerSP2011

4 жыл бұрын

What a great guy and awesome group. RIP Ric. 🎸🎸🎸

@BEHEDETY

4 жыл бұрын

sad

@GriggsC123

4 жыл бұрын

Ric and Ben Jamming together again...

@stephenbruce4052

4 жыл бұрын

amen dont take rock have fun cheers i shared it even if one gets it happy lol

He was absolutely gorgeous....what a stage presence.

Ben's voice was amazing, a different kind of voice, unique

My god, what a voice he had.

There is serious talent in that band. I miss these days so much it hurts.

"She's got wonderful eyes and a risque mouth" is an all-time line. One of their best songs right here.

@spikemcge3857

2 жыл бұрын

Number 1

@Elphyrafire

2 жыл бұрын

Except she's 17 🤦🏻‍♀️

@iwantthe80sback59

Жыл бұрын

“She’s a frozen fire....she’s my one desire”. Ric sure could write’em.

@rothr

Жыл бұрын

Q: How beautiful is she now? A: She doesn't wear her shoes. 😉

@robmac6508

Жыл бұрын

Thanks for clarifying that the lyrics are " risque mouth" and not "whisky mouth" (LOL it's only taken me 43 years to discover the correct Lyric🤣)

The great Benjamin Orr with such a great voice

Thanks KZread for preserving music like this and letting us re-live our youth as we are growing old.

No one can replace Benny...RIP......ANGEL

I know Ric wrote these songs, but I wish Ben would have sang even more of them. There is just something about his voice that is extra special!

@andree.b4723

2 ай бұрын

Yeah, you have a really great point, but they were a band, a great band by what we all know now considering how it still rocks, sound cool and really kicks ass on a real good and balanced or not stereo! Long may you Rock and God bless!

I used to run sound for local bands in the 80s. Nothing got people onto the dance floor like The Cars. Their music sounded incredible live when played by really good bands.

God love you, Ben Orr. Unmatched talent and charisma.

Ben Orr demonstrating what voice range is. Great ensemble with everyone doing their thing in synch with each other.

@brucesmith9144

2 жыл бұрын

And no autotune ...

Thank God for youtube, so we can keep Ben Orr's talent & memories alive, may he R.I.P

@crusty21

8 жыл бұрын

+Wendy Kemler Err..better download it while you can. These gems wont be up forever.

@wendykemler2783

8 жыл бұрын

Well that's a major bummer :(

@timmi59

7 жыл бұрын

Wendy Kemler Rock n Roll

@wendykemler2783

7 жыл бұрын

Forever and Ever that's for sure....

@jimmysapien9961

5 жыл бұрын

I have there first albums!!! AWSOME

Benjamin Orr was a great rock and roll singer!! RIP BENNY ORR

At the age of 13 this was one of my favorites. At 57 there in my playlist.

@michellerutherford9551

6 ай бұрын

I'm with you

Saw the Cars in early 1981 in Hampton, Virginia. Incredible concert. One song led into the next. The whole concert never once stopped. They never spoke or said a word. By far the tightest band I’ve ever witnessed, and I’ve seen all the greats in their prime.

Benjamin Orr was the key to the ignition. What a band. #BostonOurFuckingCity

Ben Orr making it look easy. There are very few bassists who are able to play a great instrument and sing superb lead vocals as well. More often than not the vocal and bass lines do not match and it can be difficult to do both well, simultaneously. Not like a guitarist simple strumming a cord while singing. But the greats make it look and sound effortless. Paul McCartney. Geddy Lee, Benjamin Orr and others are in that rare air. RIP Benjamin Orr. You passed too soon and are missed.

@patricias5122

4 жыл бұрын

He's also working a wah-wah pedal, while he plays bass, sings, interacts with the audience; while Ocasek looks wooden so much of the time, Benjamin Orr never did.

@joan-annebross9217

4 жыл бұрын

Greg Lake.

@violinstudyingpiano8352

3 жыл бұрын

Great Benjamin Orr!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

@larrygallaway4224

3 жыл бұрын

@@joan-annebross9217 He even looked like Greg Lake....love them both!!

@steviebee1989

3 жыл бұрын

*chord

This is one of the perfect songs of all time. Cheers 🍻

The Cars....one of the few bands that used keyboards for hooks that we will never ever hear again. There's no band like the Cars and there never will be.

@57highland

Жыл бұрын

The used two guitars plus keyboards in the best possible way.

@user-lg1hh6on8m

Жыл бұрын

👌👍👏🇸🇮

One of the all time great bands. I feel like they were always under-rated.

@KittyGrizGriz

3 ай бұрын

Never 👎

Oh Fabulous!Ben Orr's vocals are unsurpassed!What a sad sad loss!

The Cars were wild in the late 70's and early 80's!😅😂😮

Great memories from the 70s and 80s. Thanks Cars

Lord what a beautiful man!! What a voice. Cars were the best. Rest in peace Ben and Rick. You both blared out of my car speakers as a kid. Loved the 70's and 80's!!!

@kneeldiamond128

4 жыл бұрын

Let's Go! Shannon!

@BLKBETE11

11 ай бұрын

DITTO!!!

@gregggoss2210

7 ай бұрын

I'm 63, and I still blast them out of my speakers. Man, do I miss those days. 😢

Benjamin Orr had a great voice. His live performances were as good as the recordings. R.I.P.

HE'S got wonderful eyes...

I remember these guys so well in the 70's. Big fun- and it still is decades later. Great memories.

This… is what Rock n Roll was looking for back then when disco was prevailing.. I think that the Cars were the recovery Rock needed.. they ushered us right into sanity. What a great great band and a real gift to all of us.

I love the way Ben always looks to Elliot.

Ben sounds just as good as the record here!! Incredible talent.

LIVE.. this wouldn't be done today. Midnight Special is timeless.

Ben Orr had such a great voice and prescence. The Cars were awesome.

Live. No backing track. No lipsync. No autotune. This is how it's done kiddies.

@jezmez68

3 жыл бұрын

Yeah, but that clapping is annoying. I can't help but think that was canned...

@jah0524

3 жыл бұрын

@@jezmez68 Maybe it was canned, but you can see the audience clapping at 3:10. So, it was also real.

@qnnikqs

2 жыл бұрын

What a creative comment

@ellab8897

2 жыл бұрын

@@jezmez68- I’m with you. Whether canned, real, or a combination, the clapping is *annoying* Because of it, I rarely watch this video. There are far better videos of this song.

@paulsantangelo9634

2 жыл бұрын

THE REAL DEAL - AND I WAS BLESSED TO GROW UP WITH MY NEIGHBORS FROM BOSTON- GREAT UNDERATED BAND OF ALL TIME!!!

I could ,watch him sing for hours.

Ric may be the critic’s hero of this band, but Ben gets my vote for MVP, along with Elliot in a close second. What a group!

@TheBent139

Жыл бұрын

But then again it was Greg Hawkes who really gave them their signature sound and David Robinson was an innovator with his use of electronic drums. And Ric wrote most of the hits and had that unique quirky voice and style. Can't forget Elliott and his masterful riffs and fills. And Ben was, as others have said, one of the great voices in rock. So solid live, and dead on with his bass playing. They were a sum of their parts, a well oiled machine. One of the great bands of all-time IMO. Their music was way ahead of its time.

@gloxepy

Жыл бұрын

David Robinson came to the band with the most musical credentials. Man look up the bands (successful) he was drummer for! very talented

@ThaiThom

7 ай бұрын

No use splitting hairs, but Ric was the songwriter.

Great band and music. 66 yrs old and still play these CDs👏👏🍻

Holy moly! Especially Ben's vocals! 🤩👍

I am and now its 2024. I will never stop. And im 69 and Benjamin would have been 77. God bless his soul. 😔🙏💙❤️😇💕🎸🎶

@torreyintahoe

3 ай бұрын

Fuck cancer

These guys were ridiculously good.

The most beautiful man on the planet back then. God rest his sweet soul❤

@devrawilliams3652

11 ай бұрын

David Gilmour then Ben

@KittyGrizGriz

8 ай бұрын

Robert Plant too

That vocal performance was just perfect. Love Ben Orr.

I saw The Cars live. An absolute thrill.

@KittyGrizGriz

8 ай бұрын

Me too, in ‘79! We were so lucky! 😅

Wow- the band was on fire on this one! Greg doing some interesting things on the keyboards that you don’t hear in the recorded version. And Ben, well, I’ve never heard him sing a bad note on any live performance. He delivers every time!

@TKDunn-qq7kd

10 ай бұрын

I never thought Greg got near enough credit for this contribution to these songs. His keyboard parts were often the main hooks in these tunes and are just brilliant - he really created a new sound in the rock genre that was copied relentlessly over the next decade...

@KittyGrizGriz

8 ай бұрын

@@TKDunn-qq7kdNEW WAVE 🌊🌊🌊; yes, I agree about Greg too!

Maginifent band. Never ever get sick of hearing them play. Ben Orr was brilliant as was the whole band.

@susanmaynard8652

Жыл бұрын

Yeh playing it now

We need a "Mid-Night Special" back on free TV. Give the young rockers a chance to play it live and reach a national audience. Young people don't know the joy of live, FUN, rock n roll music.

@TheCowfart1

Жыл бұрын

That show displayed a ton of live talent. It should never have been taken off the air.

@susanneschmidt6159

9 ай бұрын

Loved that show as a kid. The best

@dipsydoodle7988

2 ай бұрын

We have young rockers?

RIP Ben Orr. Great, distinctive voice.

@57highland

8 ай бұрын

No band sounded (or sounds) like the Cars, and no Rock 'n Roll vocalist sounded (or sounds) like Benjamin Orr. A most fortunate pairing of unique artistic talents.

I saw that show back then, man they sounded great..just to think that was over 40 years ago. The Midnight Special had all the greats on back then, I haven't seen this since I first saw it, totally awesome.

Wow, they were good. Brings back lots of memories.

Ben Orr had a fantastic voice and a darn good bass player, too.

Ben Orr .. always the best singer, and most gorgeous... missing you!!! 🙋🏻‍♀️❤️

Ben Orr's voice, wow!, it's magical. There's no other word for it.

I absolutely loved these guys. I was so fortunate to see them live in 84. One of the great concerts I saw in my life. Their music is timeless. Ben Orr, a great voice.

The Cars debut album was in 1978, what a rocking year! All the following bands also had their debut album in 1978, Van Halen, Dire Straits, Prince, Quite Riot (Japanese release), Molly Hatchet, Randy Meisner from the Eagles solo album, White Snake, Toto. Such awesome music, makes today's music look really sad!

Came here because Rick passed, but I remember I really rocked on Benji Orr’s tunes. Rest well Rick & Benji.

@ellab8897

2 жыл бұрын

@ghostboyee In the media, he was known as Benjamin - don’t call me Ben - Orr. Of course we’ll never know, but I can’t help but wonder how he would have taken to the nickname, “Benji.” It looks jarring to me, but given that your comment got 101 👍 responses, it looks like it’s just me! (Yes I know I’m replying to a 2 year old comment, but I just now saw it.)

My favorite band ever !....what a performance

Oh man, what a great singer, musician and overall cool guy. RIP Benjamin. You never missed a note. So good.

This band!❤️ Since 1979 they been one of my favorit bands!

One of the greatest songs of the ‘80’s from one of the all time best bands of that era. If you didn’t live it, I feel very sorry for you.

The Cars were and still one of the best bands of the good old days , they rock. Love em still do

It's one of my life's regrets that i never got to see them. Classic 80s sound.

These guys were tight as hell. Talent across the board. Harmonies too. Just a super solid band.

Benjamin's voice wow!!! Incredible!!!!

Ben's silky smooth voice along with well crafted rock pop songs is what took them to the top!

I love this band! I've been a fan since I was seventeen! ♥️

Wow!!!!!!!! Benjamin was electrifying!!!! Loveeeee loveeeee loveeeee it!!!!!! Let's go!!!!!!!!!!!!

Ben is jacked up plus he had a great voice. Great singer. Listen to Drive...

Benjamin Orr was a true pro-gifted and very skilled with his craft. He mixed up the vocals wonderfully here.

Those first 2 Cars albums are some of the most finely crafted pop songs since the Beatles. And they created their own unique sound. This stuff will continue to be played for decades to come.

Ben sings, put it on repeat, what a presence, and music to our ears! One in a trillion! RIP BENJAMIN

you grow up listening to a band, loving everything about their songs, and years later when you become a musician yourself you experience a new-found respect (and fresh re-listen) of all that great music!

This literally gives me chills!

Wow, what a great live version! Benjamin and the boys were firing on all pistons on this one!

These guys ushered in the '80's. Best time to be on a college campus listening to The Cars.

Miss this band! Love Orr’s voice!

I find it so touching that the band members were went to Ben's bedside when he passed from cancer. That is so loving. Only my brother and daughter would do that for me. And my cats❤.