Ric Ocasek, the frontman of The Cars, a noted producer and a member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, was found dead at his home in Manhattan on Sunday. He was 75 (though some sources say he was 70).
Police found Ocasek unconscious at his townhouse after receiving a call at about 4 p.m. local time. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
During their run from 1976 through 1988, The Cars scored 13 top 40 hits, including "Just What I Needed," "My Best Friend's Girl" and "Good Times Roll." They were key act in bringing New Wave to the mainstream with their hits on radio and accompanying videos on MTV.
Ocasek also became a celebrity of sorts when he started dating, and later married, model Paulina Porizkova. The two met while making the video for The Cars' 1984 hit "Drive" and married in 1989. They had two sons before separating in 2017. He also had four sons, a pair each, from two previous marriages.
Following the band's breakup, Ocasek went on to produce several artists, including Weezer's breakthrough self-titled "Blue" album as well as their "Green" album. Both were multi-platinum hits.
Cars bassist, co-lead vocalist Benjamin Orr died of pancreatic cancer in 2005, yet the surviving members of the band reunited in 2018 to be inducted to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Scott Shriner of Weezer filled in for Orr on bass.
Source: Premiere
photo credit - getty images