Benjamin Orr, singer and bassist with new wave hitmakers the Cars, succumbed to cancer at his home in Atlanta on Tuesday night. [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. Tony Orr's birth name is Anthony Benjamin Orr. Orr had reunited with his former Cars bandmates -- Ocasek, Hawkes, Elliot Easton and David Robinson -- this past summer for an interview to be included. He had the look, and he had the attitude. "Magic" and "Let's Go" made the Top 20. We also link to other websites, but are not responsible for their content. Thank you, she wrote. Related questions. Grasshoppers", as both the lead singer and guitarist. We will always aim to give you accurate information at the date of publication - however, information does change, so its important you do your own research, double-check and make the decision that is right for your family. WebThe Lace is the only solo studio album by American rock and roll singer Benjamin Orr, best known for his work with The Cars.It was released on October 6, 1986, by Elektra Records and features his only solo hit, the song, "Stay the Night", which reached the top 40 in 1987.A follow-up single "Too Hot to Stop" was also released but failed to chart. The cause was pancreatic Any information you provide to us via this website may be placed by us on servers located in countries outside the EU if you do not agree to such placement, do not provide the information. That, plus the addition of Robinson, and a reunion with Greg Hawkes, triggered a reworking of Cap'n Swing into the Cars. ``Theyve decided to go through with it and there will be some kind of tribute to him, Johnson said. That same year, the Cars disbanded. Orr died at his Atlanta home, said Billy Johnson, manager of the musicians current band, Big People. Check your inbox for your latest news from us. Benjamin Orr, singer and bassist with new wave hitmakers the Cars, succumbed to cancer at his home in Atlanta on Tuesday night. He was 53. He played bass, keyboards, and percussion While remaining with 'Grasshopper', he wrote the song 'Pink Champagne And The Red Roses.' Parma Heights, Ohio. The surviving members reunited for a final album, Move Like Ben grew up in Lakewood and Parma Heights, Ohio. When their demo of "Just What I Needed" began receiving airplay on Boston radio stations WBCN-FM and WCOZ-FM, the record companies began offering recording deals to the band. His Russian and Czechoslovakian parents The last time he had a reunion with 'The Cars' was during an interview in Atlanta, and it was recorded as 'The Car's Live.'. variety show, "Upbeat"; the group also released two singles on the Web9. Also, Ocasek was already married at the time, to his second wife. So, the musicians sat around and devised a list of possible band names. He also recorded as a solo artist, releasing a single album, The Lace, in 1986, and scoring a Top 30 single in January of the following year with "Stay the Night.". We hope you love our recommendations for products and services! Powered by. Benjamin Orr, singer and bassist with new wave hitmakers the Cars, succumbed to cancer at his home in Atlanta on Tuesday night. He was 53. "Magic" and "Let's Go" made the Top 20. Signing with Elektra/Asylum, their first album, The Cars, with production by Roy Thomas Baker, was released in May 1978. Fortunately, they worked out their differences while taping material for a Cars DVD in the late '90s. Recently, Orr had been playing with a new ensemble, Big People, featuring alumni from .38 Special, Damn Yankees, Ted Nugent, and Billy Joel. MTV, EMA and all related titles, logos and characters are trademarks of Viacom International Inc. Bop Shop: Songs From Thundercat And Tame Impala, Aiza, Honey Revenge, And More, Jessie Ware Understands That Dancing Is Freedom, On her new album 'That! Tension after its 1988 breakup, sadness after the death of founding member Benjamin Orr in 2000, and an all-out war surrounding the birth of the New Cars in the A rep for the NYPD confirmed Ocaseks death to Rolling Stone. He was 53. He was locally named 'Benny 11 Letters' and was born in the city of Lakewood in Cleveland, Ohio, and grew up there.Benjamin Orr joined his first local band, 'Grasshopper', in the year of 1964, as a lead guitarist and singer. Aside from the string of hits he enjoyed as a member of The Cars during the 1980s, Benjamin Orr, who has died aged 53, earned himself a fragment of rock'n'roll immortality as the vocalist on the group's Drive, the poignant ballad used to devastating effect over news footage of starving Ethiopians during the 1985 Live Aid telecast. Sometime later, Ocasek invited the bassist/singer to come out to Boston because it had a good music scene. Ric was at home recuperating very well after surgery. Followed by this song, Orr had released his next solo, 'Too Hot To Stop'. Previously, he fronted the house band of the TV rock show Upbeat, and was leader of a local group, The Grasshoppers. Stein was inspired by a National Enquirer ad campaign that "had animated cutouts and photographs of celebrities, big heads on bodies that moved a little," he said in I Want My MTV. We strive to recommend the very best things that are suggested by our community and are things we would do ourselves - our aim is to be the trusted friend to parents. In 1979, Rolling Stone readers voted The Cars best new band, while their million-selling debut album was such a strong performer that its follow-up, Candy-O, was delayed for several months, then promptly sold 1m copies in eight weeks. It was Robinson who mentioned the Cars, the entry that everybody seemed to like. Benjamin Orr died at the age of 53 on October 3, 2000. GettyModel Paulina Porizkova and her husband musician Ric Ocasek attend the launch of Living It Up! It was believed that a venomous snake would die if placed in a vessel Succession Recap: Logan Roy Makes Shock Return, Shiv and Tom Get Kinky. In the late '90s, Orr began performing with Big People, which included former .38 Special guitarist Jeff Carlisi. The Sun reported that he was expelled from Immaculate Heart of Mary School because he gave the nuns a hard time verbally., Still, he added, according to the Sun: I was a total Baltimore kid. We appreciate the great outpouring of love. And the Cars had a lot of hits, including "Just What I Needed," "My Best Friend's Girl," "Hello Again," "Drive," and "Tonight She Comes.". Born Benjamin Orzechowski on September 8, 1947, in Lakewood (Cleveland), Ohio, Orr would entertain his family and friends with Elvis Presley imitations. Wiki User. WebBenjamin 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. Feels Good!,' the British disco artist revels in liberation, MTV Announces The 2023 Movie & TV Awards Presenters And It's A Long List, Plus, the nominees for Best Musical Moment are revealed, Taylor Swift Hates Mercury Retrograde As Much As The Rest Of Us, The singer jokingly blamed a hand injury on the astrological event. The band split up in 1988, and bassist Benjamin Orr died of pancreatic cancer at age 53 in 2000. Bassist and singer Ben Orr was born Benjamin Orzechowski on September In his later stage of life, Orr was performing for his own band along with two other bands, named 'Voices Of Classic Rock' and 'Big People'.He was very well practiced and proficient with guitar, keyboards, drums, and other musical instruments. Orr sang lead vocals on several of the bands hits, including ``Drive and ``Just What I Needed. After the band dissolved in 1986, Orr recorded a solo album, ``The Lace, which produced the hit, ``Stay the Night.. Orr Ocasek Has Six Children With Three Different Wives Jonathan Ocasek, Oliver Ocasek, Paulina Jeff Carlisi, formerly .38 Special, played with Orr in a band called Big People, who toured until Orr became too sick to go on the road. Once they found guitarist Elliot Easton, keyboardist Greg Hawkes, and drummer David Robinson, the band that would one day perform "Magic" had found just what they needed. R.I.P. Benjamin Orr was a renowned bassist, singer, and songwriter. instruments in his teen years. 8, 1947 in Cleveland, Ohio. In 1987, Door To Door became The Cars' last, and least, album, with Ocasek now committed to a solo career and the others happy to follow suit. Our recommended activities are based on age but these are a guide. The Cars' rise to the top coincided with the early days of MTV, and the band was among the handful of acts that embraced the new medium. Tweaking its sound and lineup weren't the only things Ric Ocasek, Benjamin Orr, and other members of Cap'n Swing had to address as they went forward. "We thank the Cars: Ric, Benjamin, David, Greg, and Elliot. Also, his own song, 'Stay The Night', was featured in the Top 10 Rock Hit chart. He recalled the different events that led up to his joining the Cars in 1977. Benjamin Orr was born on September 8, 1947 and died on October 3, 2000. I have extremely fond memories of it.. Undeterred, the duo put together another group, Richard and the Rabbits, recruiting musician Greg Hawkes to play the keyboards, having liked the saxophone work he contributed to Milkwood's one and only record. He played bass, keyboards, and percussion "From the time he was diagnosed, he told us he wanted to keep playing until the end. At Kidadl we pride ourselves on offering families original ideas to make the most of time spent together at home or out and about, wherever you are in the world. Bassist and singer Ben Orr was born Benjamin Orzechowski on September 8, 1947 in Cleveland, Ohio. Normally, I wouldn't feel comfortable to post personal things about his family but this is in the news. 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. We are standing on the shoulders of giants," said Brandon Flowers of the Killers (who was a big fan) in his induction speech. Orr was performing rigorously throughout the summer of the same year in different state fairs and music festivals. Ocasek and Orr continued working together in a series of bands, leading up to the Cars' public debut on New Year's Eve in 1977. This article contains incorrect information, This article doesnt have the information Im looking for, Benjamin Orr Net Worth, Earnings and Spending Habits, Other Interesting Benjamin Orr Facts And Trivia. 4. Orr, who died Oct. In 1972, they were part of the folk trio Milkwood, and released an album on Paramount featuring future Cars keyboardist Greg Hawkes. Benjamin Orr Bassist. Heartbeat City, released in 1984, spawned another batch of hit singles including Drive. on a new DVD documentary, "The Cars Live," scheduled for release through Rhino Home Video on November 1. On the Sunburst label, the 'Grasshoppers' had released two of their singles, 'The Mod Socks' and the Pink Champagne And The Red Roses.Benjamin was best known as a bassist and one of 'The Cars' co-founders, a famous music band based in Ohio. A post shared by Paulina Porizkova (@paulinaporizkov) on Sep 16, 2019 at 12:18pm PDT. Ocasek, of course, was the gangly singer and songwriter who helped propel The Cars to stardom. Read Full Biography, 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." In early 1976, Ric Ocasek and Benjamin Orr formed yet another band, a more straightforward pop-rock combo called Cap'n Swing. At the same time, the Cars were racking up platinum-plus sales. 8, 1947 in Cleveland, Ohio. 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. It revealed that Ocasek was recovering from a recent surgery and that Paulina realized he had passed away when she touched his cheek. Known locally as "Benny 11-Letters", Orr Ocasek and Orr seemed to be on their way Milkwood signed with Paramount Records and released an album in 1972, but it sold poorly and the band fell apart. When I think of Ben and all that he meant to me, language is just inadequate, she said. It must have cost a ton of money in legal fees that I wasted, the Cars wasted, for f*cking no reason." The final speaker was Orrs fianc, Julie Snider, who had organized the memorial. Donations to the Benjamin Orr Memorial Fund can be sent to at Box 600590, Newtonville, MA, 02460. We, his family and friends, are completely and utterly devastated by his untimely and unexpected death and would appreciate the privacy to mourn in private., A post shared by Paulina Porizkova (@paulinaporizkov) on Sep 16, 2019 at 8:44am PDT. a half years in the Army. He was 53. WebHe died at home in Atlanta on October 3, 2000, aged 53, surrounded by his fellow Big People band members Jeff Carlisi, Derek St. Holmes and Rob Wilson. WebOrr died from pancreatic cancer. The group donated their royalties to the Band Aid Trust. Sapphire was once thought to guard against evil and poisoning. Recently, Orr had toured with the band Orr, as well as The Voices of Classic Rock and Atlanta-based group Big People. ""Magic" and "Let's Go" made the Top 20. He was born and brought up with the culture of music in his family, and everybody supported him in his music career. 2023 Viacom International Inc. All Rights Reserved. Charlotte Rae 16 /16 The 100 Greatest TV Shows of All Time. The Cars recorded plenty of sharp, to the point, tightly crafted pop-rock jams. An early demo of Just What I Needed had already been a favourite on Boston radio station WBCN, and now became the group's debut Top 30 hit. The memorial concluded with a moving slide show, which featured pictures of Orr from infancy through his various bands, to the musical accompaniment of the Orr-sung Cars song Drive and Orrs own Stay the Night.. A post shared by Paulina Porizkova (@paulinaporizkov). "The sh*t hit the fan," Ocasek later said to Rolling Stone. Though the net worth of Benjamin Orr was around $1 million, his annual income is still unknown. They performed on the city's club circuit for two years, then broke up. Ex-Grasshoppers Dante Rossi and John Matuska also testified to the way Orr affected them. After the year 1988, Benjamin moved to Boston and formed a folk band with Ocasek and named it 'Milkwood.' While superficially conforming to what Americans like to call "New Wave", complete with a sheen of technological hauteur and an aura of pop-art cool, the album bristled with catchy pop songs, mostly by Ocasek. "The Ben seemed very much at peace with the world, Dudas said about his last conversation with Orr, about a year ago. Please note: prices are correct and items are available at the time the article was published. Rhino will now be donating a portion of the profits to the National Pancreas Foundation. Grasshoppers", as both the lead singer and guitarist. Tributes to Benjamin Orr and cards to friends and family will be accepted by Crossover Entertainment Group, 2020 Howell Mill Road, Suite C, Atlanta, GA, 30318. Ocasek was found dead in his Manhattan home on the afternoon of September 15, 2019, a Sunday, the New York Police Department confirmed to Heavy. been playing with his new band, Big People, right up until late September, including a final show in Alaska on September 27. Just two months later, the band recorded a demo tape of its new songs, including early takes on what would become signature songs, "My Best Friend's Girl" and "Just What I Needed." A management spokesperson for Ocasek spoke on behalf of the singer-guitarist, telling MTV News, "He's very devastated by the loss of a close friend. Benjamin Orrs birthstone is Sapphire. Ocasek rejected that idea outright. Then the long-dormant group took the stage to perform "My Best Friend's Girl," Ocasek taking over for the late Orr on vocals and Scott Shriner of Weezer (a band Ocasek produced) filling in on bass. As The Cars took shape, the first rumblings of punk were being heard around Boston. The hits continued with platinum awards for Shake It Up (1981) and Heartbeat City, while their Greatest Hits made it into the Top 20 in 1986. His marriage ended in divorce: he leaves a son. Police say that Ocasek was found in his bed unconscious and unresponsive and that the call came in around 4 p.m. on September 15, 2019 for a male in need of aid inside a residence at East 19th Street. The Cars had begun to lose momentum, though Orr showed he could function successfully on his own with his album The Lace (1986). WebBen Orr. Ocasek moved to Boston and Orr returned to Ohio. All rights reserved. Page Six reports that Ocasek was found by the supermodel Porizkova, who is his estranged third wife. Known locally as "Benny 11-Letters", Orr Around the same time, Orr embarked on a solo career and had a hit with "Stay the Night" from his album The Lace. Benjamin Orzechowski (known as Ben Orr) played in numerous bands before finding fame in the late Seventies and Eighties with the Cars. . But just because they're short and sweet doesn't mean they don't take a long time to make. He said that Orr was his hot sauce partner and related how they became close friends the time they played together. "I think our voices are similar because we spent so many years together even before the Cars," Ocasek told Vanity Fair. The memorial commenced with an introduction by Michael Stanley, who recalled the various occasions on which he had met Orr and described him as a cross between Elvis and Paul McCartney. Throughout the course of the evening, Stanley would introduce speakers with a certain levity (he made numerous jokes about their deteriorating eyesight) and continually expressed his admiration for Orr. The 50 Worst Decisions in Music History There was also the matter of the band's name, which, come on, is a terrible name, combining as it did the weirdly truncated first part of the name of a popular breakfast cereal with the name of a musical genre in which the band did not participate. He was 53. This manager proposed a Cars reunion on behalf of his clients, but Ocasek gave him a hard no. The Cars, arguably the definitive band of the 1980s, came together as the result of a very 1960s phenomenon: a local variety show. Sunburst label and dissolved in 1967 after two members were drafted. Orr introduced himself to singer/guitarist Ric Ocasek at a band rehearsal. Historical Fact By the time 1977 was over, the Cars had signed a record deal and hit the road to build both hype and a fanbase. In February 1978, the group recorded its self-titled debut album in a mere 12 days. This new band became the Cars. He heard "You Might Think" and figured he "could make the first cartoon with real people. Parma Heights, Ohio. mellow musician, Melodic Voice Singing with Feeling and Urgency. Orr and the gangling Ocasek began collaborating in an assortment of bands. Praised by critics for balancing cool cynicism with impeccable pop instincts, the quintet sold over 6 million copies worldwide of it's first two albums, 1978's The Cars and the 1979 follow-up Candy-O. Well send you tons of inspiration to help you find a hidden gem in your local area or plan a big day out. ", He had a tough time selling the band on that idea. Benjamin Orzechowski (known as Ben Orr) played in numerous bands before finding fame in the late Seventies and Eighties with the Cars. He said, 'If I fall down one day and can't get up, you'll know its over. But he wasn't the only Car who made some noise Benjamin Orr took lead vocals on seminal songs like "Just What I Needed," "Drive," and "Moving in Stereo." Elektra Records executive Robin Sloane asked music video director Jeff Stein to make a clip for the Cars' Heartbeat City bouncy, synth-driven single "You Might Think." He would have been elated to be here on this stage. Connect with the definitive source for global and local news. We recognise that not all activities and ideas are appropriate and suitable for all children and families or in all circumstances. Orr had also reunited with his former Cars mates for a documentary titled, ``The Cars Live. Rhino Home Video plans to release the production in November with part of the proceeds going to the National Pancreas Foundation. The last time he had a reunion with 'The Cars' was during an interview in Atlanta, and it was recorded as 'The Car's Live.' In 1970, Orr moved to Columbus, Ohio and met The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time Easton and Hawkes (but not Robinson, who dropped out of the project early on) hit the road in 2006 and 2007 as the New Cars. Sunburst label and dissolved in 1967 after two members were drafted. The New Cars' poorly reviewed debut album It's Alive would also be their last album. Benjamin Orr was 5 ft 10 in (178 cm) tall. They rehearsed with Hutton for an entire day, and when it was all over, Porizkova and Ocasek wanted to keep going. When did Lawrence Orr die? actively encouraged his musical endeavors. Manager David According to former Cars keyboardist Greg Hawkes, Orr was surrounded by his friends when he passed away just before midnight (ET). New and Upcoming Science Fiction and Fantasy, View agent, publicist, legal and company contact details on IMDbPro. instruments in his teen years. Casual listeners may not have realized the band had two singers because their voices are tough to distinguish from each other. And yet, in the early 2010s, it happened. Cap'n Swing recorded some demos and played the Newport Street Music Fair, a showcase sponsored by popular local station WBCN, and caught the attention of afternoon disc jockey Maxanne Sartori who had previously helped launch the career of Aerosmith who helped solidify the group's lineup. "The Rick Ocasek, the other founder of 'The Cars', has written the song 'Silver' and recorded it to give a tribute to Benjamin Orr. It was then I realized that during the night he had peacefully passed on. Local punkistas gravitated to the city's Rat Club, where early performances by The Cars demonstrated that they were miles ahead of the competition in terms of professionalism and musicality. Record companies took notice of this unsigned, unheard of band getting tons of airplay in a major media market, and the band fielded offers from many labels. "This was strictly 'F*ck everything that happened before this," Ocasek told Rolling Stone at the time. (modern). Benjamin Orr (Orzechowski), musician, born August 9 1947; died October 3 2000, Rock musician who found fame with The Cars, Original reporting and incisive analysis, direct from the Guardian every morning, 2023 Guardian News & Media Limited or its affiliated companies. ", Still, not every Car was happy. Ben got drafted as well, but received a deferment after serving one and Fresh off his Academy Award-winning role in Ordinary People, actor Timothy Hutton wanted to get into directing, and in 1984 the Cars' manager played him the group's album Heartbeat City. Music was always his first passion. Cars keyboardist Greg Hawke recalled meeting Orr in 1973 when Orr and Cars singer/guitarist Ric Ocasek were recording their first album as Milkwood (Hawke played keyboards on the bands debut). Your privacy is important to us. About 25% of cases of pancreatic cancer can be traced to smoking (it is the biggest risk factor). The rise and fall of Cap'n Swing occurred entirely within the calendar year of 1976, an annum that closed out with Ric Ocasek and company playing its first gig as the Cars in December. Ric Ocasek, the former lead singer of the iconic new wave band The Cars, died from heart disease with emphysema as a contributing factor. Nov 29, 2001 #3 embellisher Holy Ghost filled Bass Player Supporting Member Apr 18, 2000 Heber Springs, Arkansas Ben was IMHO a better vocalist than bassist, but that is not intended as a slight to his bass playing. Sparks had obviously flown, although Porizkova later told Entertainment Weekly that she'd seen Ocasek on MTV before and it was "love before first sight." Dropping out of high school, he earned a living as a session guitarist and as a member of local Cleveland TV show Upbeat. Members of that band, as well as many others, were present at the private event, which was held in the Halls small fourth-floor theater. Orr died of pancreatic cancer at his home in Atlanta on October 3, 2000, at the age of 53. [16] [17] He had made his final public appearance six days earlier, performing with Big People in Anchorage, Alaska; bandmates Jeff Carlisi, Derek St. Holmes and Rob Wilson were at Orr's bedside when he died. [18] In the same speech, he also spoke movingly about the man with whom he was later to found The Cars: Benjamin Orr. Please note that Kidadl is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon. . According to Cars drummer David Robinson, the band's 1981 hit "Shake It Up" stewed for years before the group finally decided to record it. Ocasek asked him to join his band and Orr became their keyboardist. Born Benjamin Orzechowski in Cleveland in 1947, he first cut his teeth as a member of teenage ensemble the Grasshoppers, the house band for a regional American Bandstand-style TV program. The musicians inched closer to the Cars and the Cars sound, particularly when they added recent Berklee College of Music graduate and Boston guitarist Elliot Easton to the mix. Elon Musk and Bill Maher Warn Against the 'Woke Mind Virus,' a.k.a. Benjamin's song 'Just What I Needed' was the first hit song ranked in the Top 40 list. Hutton was particularly taken with "Drive," a slick, romantic soft rock ballad that represented a departure for the power pop/New Wave band. Rolling Stone is a part of Penske Media Corporation. In the year of 1976, Benjamin Orr, Ric Ocasek, Elliot Easton, Greg Hawkes, and David Robinson formed a band in Boston and named it 'The Cars'. Orr, who died Oct. 3 of pancreatic cancer, never forgot his old bandmates, and they never forgot him. Ric Ocasek relocated with his family from Maryland to Cleveland, Ohio in the 1960s, and one night in 1965 he caught Benjamin Orr's band the Grasshoppers performing on the black-and-white musical showcase The Big 5 Show.

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