Benjamin Orr (Cars)

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I heard an old Cars song this morning taking my daughter to school. It was "Bye Bye Love", and it had a neat melodic bassline. It got me to trying to remember other Cars songs and their basslines. I couldn't think of many (it's been a long time since I have hears much of the Cars), but I got to thinking about whether or not Benjamin Orr should be considered "influential". He did play some tasty basslines, but the Cars' overall legacy seems pretty cheesy.

 

 

Opinions?

[poochkepoo]

....To refresh your memory.........They were hot in the day

Just What I Needed {Ocasek} (3:44)

Since You're Gone {Ocasek} (3:31)

You Might Think {Ocasek} (3:04)

Good Times Roll {Ocasek} (3:44)

Touch and Go {Ocasek} (4:55)

Drive {Ocasek} (3:55)

Tonight She Comes {Ocasek}

My Best Friend's Girl {Ocasek} (3:44)

Heartbeat City {Ocasek} (4:31)

Let's Go {Ocasek} (3:32)

I'm Not the One {Ocasek} (4:09)

Magic {Ocasek} (3:57)

Shake It up {Ocasek} (3:32)

'Tonight She Comes' previously unavailble track

 

 

 

Ric Ocasek - vocals, rhythm guitar

Benjamin Orr - vocals, bass guitar

Elliot Easton - lead guitar, vocals

Greg Hawkes - keyboards, vocals

David Robinson - drums

 

 

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The sad thing is that my memory needed refreshing. I remember liking the Cars back in the mid '80s, but I've lost a lot of sleep since then.

 

I also seem to remember that Orr was one of the first bassists to use a tremolo bar. I seem to remember a Kahler ad talking about him using a bass with a Kahler Flying Tremolo on one of the albums.

 

From what I remember (aided by your list), the Cars played generally upbeat, catchy songs without much pretense. Great cruising and summer music.

[ABGBrian]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jMlakWZ3o50&mode=related&search=

 

from what i understand orr was mostly the center of attention for the live shows. i think it was because he was the best looking of all the group.

[moot]

I didn't even realize they had a bassist - I thought it was all synth driven. Hmmm.

 

I loved the Cars. I thought Ocasek was (although very goofy lookin') an incredible song writer and some of those leads Easton played were just plain SMOKIN!

Then again, so was my brain. It was the 80's.

 

 

[Kramer Ferrington III.]

....To refresh your memory.........They were hot in the day

Just What I Needed {Ocasek} (3:44)

Since You're Gone {Ocasek} (3:31) ...

 

Oh... I only knew two of their songs, "Drive" and "You Might Think". I see they had more hits on their home turf.

[rumpelstiltskin.]

the cars, like cheap trick, are a great example of bands i got into because they influenced bands i was into. in this case, the smashing pumpkins referenced the cars and cheap trick as much as they did zeppelin and sabbath.

 

i love the cars. i think orr's work stands more now, as the late 70s and early 80s sounds continue to be en vogue, than it did previously. also, since pop and rock music seem to be ever better at combining live sounds and synth sounds, orr was one of the first bassists to do that successfully. so, again, his work stands more now than it has previously.

 

there's some good bass in the cars, but i listen to them for the songs.

 

robb.

[Tom Capasso]

I like The Cars. At times the bass is a bit restricted to fit the slightly tight format, but there are plenty of good parts. Candy-O was always my favorite, and has those "sticky" bass notes held in the refrain, and the cool drum bit that went with it.

 

I haven't heard much of the New Cars, fronted by Todd Rundgren and "bassed" by Kasim Sultan. I thought Todd (in rock mode) was a good choice to carry this on, though Ocasek didn't agree.

 

Tom

[mcbn]

I still love listening to The Cars. No matter what song comes on I know the words; I remember them from my childhood. My Dad is a huge music fan and guitar player. He was really into The Cars when they were big.

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I think there's something weird going on. It happened again this morning. I dropped my daughter off and "Let the Good Times Roll" came on the same radio station as yesterday.

 

I might look into a tinfoil hat.

[Warlock1016]

I liked the Cars.

 

The Single they had out last year was pretty good.

[Bass-a-roni]

I still love listening to The Cars. No matter what song comes on I know the words; I remember them from my childhood. My Dad is a huge music fan and guitar player. He was really into The Cars when they were big.

 

Shoot ... I'm getting old.