Since You're Gone: The Cars' Ric Ocasek Remembered

TJR and Robert Kinsler celebrate the life and legacy of The Cars' Ric Ocasek; the pioneering artist and producer died in his home in Manhattan on Sunday, Sept. 15, 2019.

Watch the episode here.

Post-Punk and Pop Icon Ric Ocasek Signs with SESAC

Nice to see Ric Ocasek back in the spotlight. Let's hope we hear more music from Ocasek soon...

Singer-songwriter/guitarist Ric Ocasek / Photo: Getty Images

Rock & Roll Hall of Fame member and recording artist Ric Ocasek, best known as lead vocalist, songwriter and rhythm guitarist of the pioneering post-punk and power-pop band The Cars, has signed with SESAC Performing Rights, it was announced on July 30, 2019. 

Ocasek has been a gifted songwriter and musician throughout his career as both a solo artist, and as a member of various groups—most prominently The Cars. During his time as a member and primary songwriter of The Cars, Ocasek penned enduring hits such as “Drive,” “Shake It Up,” “Good Times Roll,” “My Best Friend’s Girl” and “Just What I Needed.” The Cars’ 1978 eponymous debut certified 6x Platinum, and from there, the band racked up 13 Billboard Top 40 singles (four of them Top Ten hits), across a string of six studio albums that sold more than 17 million records in the U.S. alone. 

“As a multi-faceted artist, Ric continues to inspire with his creative influence and subtle bravado,” says John Josephson, Chairman and CEO, SESAC. “His remarkable career as songwriter and musician has made a significant impact on American music, and SESAC is proud to welcome Ric to our affiliate family.”

Ric Ocasek’s music still captures audiences today as his iconic songs are continuously used in popular films and television shows such as “Dead to Me,” “Stranger Things,” “Arrested Development” and many more. The use of The Cars’ “Moving In Stereo” (co-written by Ocasek and Greg Hawkes) in the classic film Fast Times At Ridgemont High has become a popular culture reference in its own right. Ocasek has influenced bands over the decades from Nirvana and Smashing Pumpkins, who covered “You’re All I’ve Got Tonight” as a b-side to their hit “Bullet With Butterfly Wings,” to The Killers. Longtime fan Brandon Flowers of The Killers inducted The Cars into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2018, saying, “They achieved greatness and left a comet trail behind them, writing and recording songs that have transcended into classics…Forty years later they still sound like a new band to me.”

Ocasek continued to harness his unending talent for compelling and poetic songwriting with several successful solo albums, including Beatitude (1982), Fireball Zone (1990),  Troublizing (1997) and Nexterday(2005). In addition, Ocasek has developed his career as an influential producer, working with a number of prominent acts, and producing seminal releases by such pioneering bands as Suicide and Bad Brains, as well as pop sensations like Weezer and No Doubt.

In 2010, Ocasek reunited with the surviving original members of The Cars, and in 2011 the band issued Move Like This, a studio album that proved to be a success for the epic group’s multi-generational fan base.

Most recently, the rock star has taken his visual art exhibition titled Ric Ocasek: Abstract Reality on the road with Wentworth Galleries, who have a network of art galleries in the United States.

About SESAC 

SESAC is a leader and innovator in music licensing.  It is the only U.S.-based music rights organization that administers public performance, mechanical, and other rights through its subsidiary businesses. SESAC Performing Rights Organization, the second oldest PRO in the U.S., drives efficiency in licensing for music users, and enhances value for its affiliated writers, publishers and composers by providing timely, efficient royalty distribution powered by a sophisticated cloud-based data services platform. The Harry Fox Agency is the leading provider of mechanical licenses, and issues the largest number of licenses for physical and digital formats of music in the U.S., and handles royalty payments to music publishers for over 100,000 catalogs. Rumblefish provides rights administration services and licensing support for a broad range of music users and media companies. Mint Digital Services, a joint venture with SUISA, administers copyrights for multi-territorial online usage on behalf of songwriters, composers and music publishers. SESAC Holdings has offices in New York, Nashville, Los Angeles, London and Munich. 

New Releases Showcase a Diversity of Styles

The last days of summer are yielding some terrific releases including a documentary revisiting one of California's most groundbreaking music festivals, several cinematic-minded masterworks and impressive new releases from power pop champion Michael Simmons and emerging artist Sevi Ettinger.

Artist: Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, The Police, The Cars, more
Title: US Festival: 1982 The US Generation (MVD Visual)
You might like if you enjoy: Santana, The Cars, Tom Petty, Fleetwood Mac, the B-52's
Tell me more: Anyone wanting to discover the roots of the Coachella festival should check out the involving new documentary US Festival: 1982 The US Generation. The marvelous new documentary blends interview and performance footage from the 1982 US Festival, which was an extraordinary event staged in Southern California that was created by Apple visionary Steve Wozniak. The event featured a truly eclectic lineup of popular musicians ranging from classic rock greats to groundbreaking punk and '80s alternative acts. There are a myriad of unforgettable performances. While this writer's favorite performances are The Police's fiery "Can't Stand Losing You," The Cars' "Bye Bye Love" and Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers' blistering "Refugee," full-length performances of Fleetwood Mac's "The Chain" and Santana's "Black Magic Woman" also make for essential viewing of the film. There are insightful interviews with Wozniak as well as all the other key names who put on the event and many of the musicians who performed across the three-day event. The release features the documentary in a combo package that includes the special on both DVD and on Blu-ray. Information: icontvmusic.com or plummedia.com.

Artists: The Piano Guys, 2CELLOS, Lindsey Stirling, Tina Guo, more
Title: James Horner – The Classics (Sony Classical)
You might like if you enjoy: James Horner, John Williams
Tell me more: When acclaimed composer James Horner died in plane crash in the Los Padres National Forest in June 2015, he left behind an enduring legacy courtesy of a number of memorable movie soundtracks he composed across four decades. Now in honor of what would have been his 65th birthday (Horner was born Aug. 14, 1953), a number of top-tier musicians have recorded some of Horner's most beloved movie themes on the newly-released James Horner – The Classics. The Celtic-flavored "My Heart Will Go On" from his "Titanic" score is revisited via 2CELLOS, who take full advantage of the cello's emotionally-rich tones. Just as stunning is cello master Tina Guo, who reimagines the intimate theme from "Cocoon." Horner could also rise to the occasion with rousing symphonic grandeur, as evidenced in trumpeter David Elton's terrific take on "The Wrath of Khan" (the score for "Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan in 1982 elevated Horner to one of Hollywood's A-list composers). Another sci-fi film, 2009's "Avatar," was one of Horner's most ambitious efforts (he reportedly worked on the score for two years) and is represented via the symphonic "I See You" (featuring Tina Guo). Other highlights on the disc include "Field of Dreams" (featuring guitarist Craig Ogden) and "The Ludlows" (with violinist Lindsey Stirling performing the evocative theme from "Legends of the Fall"). Overall, these performances capture the spirit of the original versions heard in film and will delight fans of Horner's amazing compositions. Information: SonyMusicMasterworks.com.

Artist: Michael Simmons
Title: First Days of Summer (Crab Apple Records)
You might like if you enjoy: Wilkerson, Yorktown Lads, the Beach Boys
Tell me more: The newly-released Michael Simmons album First Days of Summer captures the spirit of summertime even while creating a sweeping soundscape that means this album will sound great anytime. The lyrics are sharp while the musical chops enhance the enticing melodies; there is just a great positive vibe and freewheeling spirit across the dozen-track run. Simmons' wide-ranging explorations yield a strong crop of great originals and no two sound alike. The soulful "Do Your Best to Care" and explosive "Get Back What You Put In" kick off the full-length album. "No More Girls" is an intoxicating romp that could have been recorded by hitmakers in the '60s; the crunchy pop of "Let's Fall In Love" is one of my favorites on the disc with its mix of Matthew Sweet melodic rock and smart Ric Ocasek styling. "Rudderless Day" is a similarly winning rocker. The lush title track somehow revisits classic Beach Boys territory while sounding completely original. The wonderful baroque-meets-psychedelic "Centre of the Spiral" is a tender and mature look inside a relationship as the best moments of a couple's journey together have passed. Simmons handles most lead vocals and the majority of musical duties on the album with a masterful touch; a few notable guests crop up here and there (including guitarist Robbie Rist, cellist Matthew Carney and lead guitarist Addison Love). Not only are all the songs outstanding and produced perfectly, but the release comes in several wonderful configurations. Information: https://michaelsimmons.bandcamp.com.

Title: Into The Badlands: Season 2 (Varèse Sarabande Records)
You might like if you enjoy: Hans Zimmer, Trevor Yuile
Tell me more: "Into The Badlands: Season 2" features some incredible music composed by Trevor Yuile featured on the AMC original series. Yuile, a Canadian composer perhaps best known for creating the score for the TV series "Orphan Black," delivers a vast range of moods and sonic shades; the tense orchestrations of "Sunny Dream" and "Wedding," the gorgeous "This Is Henry Veil Dies," along with the ambitious "Sunny Vs Moon" (with its blend of Far East and Native American moodscapes) and "Tilda Widow Fight" are among this writer's favorites on the title. In addition to Yuile's powerful and wide-ranging score that is showcased across the 26-track release, there are several notable cuts offered up by other artists. The quick "Into The Badlands Theme" (performed by Warrior Blade), edgy R&B cut "Human" (performed by Rag'n'Bone Man), evocative "The Love I Have For You" (via Alberta Hunter) and festive "Jingle Bells" (courtesy of The Light Crust Doughboys) blend well with Yuile's instrumental magic. Information: VareseSarabande.com.

Artist: Sevi Ettinger
Title: Salty Water (Sevillana Records)
You might like if you enjoy: Ariana Grande, Ellie Goulding
Tell me more: Only 15, Sevi Ettinger is definitely ready for the spotlight. On her newly-issued EP Salty Water, the young songstress showcases a knack for commercial songcraft while also revealing she has plenty to say. Her lead track "Salty Water," recorded via an app on her phone, is a plea for understanding and compassion for the refugee children dealing with a relentless war in Syria: "Those kids out there/ die everyday" she sings at one point, while the vivid chorus finds the songstress emphasizing "Why can't we just be the people we are? Why can't we just be the people we want to be? / It's unfair, I feel like I am falling in the ocean, tasting the salty water." Ettinger has a rich and luring soprano, and the four songs on the EP suggest she has a bona fide pulse on the contemporary music scene. The wistful "Live" and EDM-tinged pop gem "Don't Fall Behind" are also standouts on the disc (produced by Grammy Award-winning Jeff Bova along with Phillip Jarrell and Ettinger). Information: www.seviettinger.com.


Robert Kinsler

AXS TV takes viewers behind the scenes of the Influential "Us Festival 1982" Tuesday, Nov. 28

I know I'll be watching! Long before Coachella there was the groundbreaking Us Festival...

AXS TV TAKES VIEWERS BEHIND THE SCENES OF ONE OF THE BIGGEST AND MOST INFLUENTIAL MUSIC FESTIVALS IN HISTORY IN THE PREMIERE OF THE US FESTIVAL 1982: THE US GENERATION DOCUMENTARY, AIRING TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 28 AT 10pE/7pP

Highlights Include Performances by Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers, The Police, Fleetwood Mac, Santana & More, and Interviews with Steve Wozniak, Stewart Copeland, Mick Fleetwood, Kate Pierson, Marky Ramone, Among Others

AXS TV, the premier destination for classic rock programming, gives viewers an in-depth look at one of the most influential music festivals of all time in the world premiere of the 2017 rock doc The Us Festival 1982: The Us Generation Documentary, airing Tuesday, November 28 at 10pE/7pP. The film is helmed by award-winning filmmaker and rockumentarian Glenn Aveni, with Jay Cederholm serving as co-director, and is produced by Bruce Gibb and executive produced by Rich Schmig.

Steve Wozniak

Blending rare concert footage with insightful interviews with both organizers and performers, The Us Generation tells the story of the groundbreaking 1982 Us Festival—an epic three-day event featuring an eclectic and unprecedented lineup boasting some of the biggest names in music, performing live in front of over two million people at Glen Helen Regional Park in San Bernardino, CA. The Us Festival was the brainchild of Apple visionary Steve Wozniak, who wanted to create something that was a true celebration of Americana, cultivating positive vibes and building a deep sense of community through the power of technology and music. The film is produced by Icon Television Music, Inc., Plum Media, and in association with Us Festival original founders Unuson Corporation. Icon Television Music is handling worldwide distribution.

Highlights include performances by chart-topping superstars, Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers, alt-rock trio The Police, blues rock heroes Fleetwood Mac, guitar virtuoso Carlos Santana, retro-chic favorites The B-52s, and new wave icons The Cars; as well as archived appearances by Johnny & Joey Ramone, Carlos Santana, Sting, Ric Ocasek,Danny Elfman, and Fred Schneider; plus exclusive sit-downs with festival founder Steve Wozniak, Mick Fleetwood, Eddie Money, Marky Ramone, Kate Pierson, Stewart Copeland, and Mickey Hart, among others.

ABOUT AXS TV

Launched in July 2012 by visionary entrepreneur CEO Mark Cuban, AXS TV delivers the ultimate in music entertainment programming with an eclectic lineup that includes classic concerts from music's most iconic bands, as well as exclusive music festival coverage, original hit series, docs that rock, insightful specials, and knock-out live mixed martial arts action. AXS TV is a partnership between Cuban, AEG, Ryan Seacrest Media, Creative Artists Agency (CAA) and CBS. The network is available nationally in the United States and can be seen in parts of Canada, Mexico and the Caribbean. For a list of providers, visit axs.tv/subscribe. For more information, see www.axs.tv and www.axs.tv/press. Follow AXS TV on Facebook,Twitter @axstv; Instagram; and YouTube.

The Cars Remastered Boxed Set And Best Of Coming This Spring From Rhino

It is great to see the Cars' classic catalog get the deluxe treatment it deserves. Here is a media release from Rhino worth highlighting...

THE CARS CONTINUE MOVING IN STEREO New Boxed Set The Elektra Years 1978-1987 Features Six Studio Albums With  New Digital Remastering Overseen By Ric Ocasek Available On March 11 New Single-Disc Hits Collection Moving In Stereo: The Best Of The Cars  Arrives On May 6

LOS ANGELES - In 1978, the Cars had a Top 40 hit with the band's very first single, "Just What I Needed." That streak continued over the next 10 years, as the band revisited the Top 40 a dozen more times with radio hits "Let's Go" and "Shake It Up" along with iconic videos like "Magic" and "You Might Think," which won MTV's first-ever "Video Of The Year" award in 1984.  The five original members - Ric Ocasek, the late Benjamin Orr, Greg Hawkes, Elliot Easton and David Robinson - recorded six studio albums together - all of them with Elektra Records - and have sold more than 23 million albums in the U.S. alone.   Rhino will release two new collections in the spring to honor The Cars' vast musical legacy. The first is a boxed set featuring all six of the band's Elektra studio albums. The second is a single-disc, career-spanning collection curated by The Cars that combines the group's best songs along with a trio of rare and unreleased alternate versions.  THE ELEKTRA YEARS 1978-1987 includes six studio albums, each one presented in a replica sleeve with original artwork. Ric Ocasek oversaw digital remastering for the set, while drummer David Robinson - who helped create The Cars' iconic album covers through the years - served as art director. The six-disc collection will be available March 11 on CD ($39.98) and digitally. On Tuesday June 7, a limited edition vinyl version of the boxed set will be available with each 180-gram LP pressed on a different color vinyl.  The extensive set retraces the band's musical journey in the studio and includes: The Cars (1978),Candy-O (1979), Panorama (1980), Shake It Up (1981), Heartbeat City, (1984) and Door To Door (1987). Among the 60 tracks are the band's biggest hits - "My Best Friend's Girl," "Good Times Roll," "You Are The Girl," and "Drive." MOVING IN STEREO: THE BEST OF THE CARS will be available on May 6 on CD ($18.98) and as a 2-LP set on 180-gram vinyl ($34.98). The collection is produced by the band, with all surviving members contributing to song selection. Ocasek also supervised digital remastering of all the audio with Ted Jensen at Sterling Sound. The collection features the band's big hits along with a rare, single mix for "I'm Not The One," as well as a live version of "Everything You Say," and a new mix by producer Philippe Zdar of "Sad Song," a track from the band's last album, 2011's Move Like This.  MOVING IN STEREO: THE BEST OF THE CARS Track Listing 1.    "Just What I Needed" 2.    "Since You're Gone" 3.    "Let's Go" 4.    "You Might Think" 5.    "Shake It Up" 6.    "Drive" 7.    "Tonight She Comes" 8.    "My Best Friend's Girl" 9.    "Don't Tell Me No" 10.  "You're All I've Got Tonight" 11.  "I'm Not The One" - Single Mix 12.  "Candy-O" 13.  "Heartbeat City" 14.  "Touch And Go" 15.  "Moving In Stereo" 16.  "Dangerous Type" 17.  "Sad Song" - Zdar Mix* 18.  "Everything You Say" - Live* *Previously Unreleased THE ELEKTRA YEARS 1978-1987 THE CARS (1978) SHAKE IT UP (1981) 1.    "Good Times Roll" 2.    "My Best Friend's Girl" 3.    "Just What I Needed" 4.    "I'm In Touch With Your World" 5.    "Don't Cha Stop" 6.    "You're All I've Got Tonight" 7.    "Bye Bye Love" 8.    "Moving In Stereo" 9.    "All Mixed Up" 1.    "Since You're Gone" 2.    "Shake It Up" 3.    "I'm Not The One" 4.    "Victim Of Love" 5.    "Cruiser" 6.    "A Dream Away" 7.    "This Could Be Love" 8.    "Think It Over" 9.    "Maybe Baby" CANDY-O (1979) HEARTBEAT CITY (1984) 1.    "Let's Go" 2.    "Since I Held You" 3.    "It's All I Can Do" 4.    "Double Life" 5.    "Shoo Be Doo" 6.    "Candy-O" 7.    "Night Spots" 8.    "You Can't Hold On Too Long" 9.    "Lust For Kicks" 10.  "Got A Lot On My Head" 11.  "Dangerous Type" 1.    "Hello Again" 2.    "Looking For Love" 3.    "Magic" 4.    "Drive" 5.    "Stranger Eyes" 6.    "You Might Think" 7.    "It's Not The Night" 8.    "Why Can't I Have You" 9.    "I Refuse" 10.  "Heartbeat City" PANORAMA (1980) DOOR TO DOOR (1987) 1.    "Panorama" 2.    "Touch And Go" 3.    "Gimme Some Slack" 4.    "Don't Tell Me No" 5.    "Getting Through" 6.    "Misfit Kid" 7.    "Down Boys" 8.    "You Wear Those Eyes" 9.    "Running To You" 10.  "Up And Down" 1.    "Leave Or Stay" 2.    "You Are The Girl" 3.    "Double Trouble" 4.    "Fine Line" 5.    "Everything You Say" 6.    "Ta Ta Wayo Wayo" 7.    "Strap Me In" 8.    "Coming Up You" 9.    "Wound Up On You" 10.  "Go Away" 11.  "Door To Door"

Sights and Sounds: Weezer, Beck, “Weird Al” Yankovic, Interpol

Happy Thursday everybody! Here is your morning update to go along with that first delicious cup of coffee...

Weezer will release their ninth album, Everything Will Be Alright In The End, on Sept. 30, 2014 via Republic Records. Great news that Ric Ocasek will produce the new disc. Ocasek, who first rose to fame as the leader of The Cars, previously produced Weezer's first album ("The Blue Album") and their third disc ("The Green Album"). 

For more information and to see Weezer's upcoming summer tour dates, visit the Music Minded blog post here.

Beck has announced the upcoming release of a Song Reader album via Capitol due on July 29, 2014. As fans of Beck will recall, back in 2014 the singer-songwriter released his "album" of original songs released only as sheet music! Now, two years later, there is an official LP of the material due. What's more, a stellar line-up of artists will participate with a different artist tackling each track. Jack White, Jarvis Cocker, Jeff Tweedy, Sparks and many more are set to be a part of the innovative recording. Check out Pitchfork for all the details here.

Whenever I worry that rock has become far too serious, along comes "Weird Al" Yankovic to remind us that there is nothing wrong in having a good time. The ageless Yankovic has announced the release of his 14th studio album, Mandatory Fun, which should be - well - fun! Check out the insightful article on Stereogum here that has plenty of insights on the forthcoming collection.

Finally, check out a new song titled "All The Rage Back Home" off Interpol's next album via YouTube here.