Ric Ocasek

Ric Ocasek
Ocasek in 1984
Ocasek in 1984
Background information
Birth nameRichard Theodore Otcasek
Born(1944-03-23)March 23, 1944
Baltimore, Maryland, U.S.
OriginCleveland, Ohio, U.S.
DiedSeptember 15, 2019(2019-09-15) (aged 75)
New York City, U.S.
Genres
Occupations
  • Musician
  • singer
  • songwriter
  • record producer
Instruments
  • Vocals
  • guitar
  • keyboards
Years active1963–2019
Labels
Formerly ofThe Cars
Spouses
  • Constance Campbell
    ​
    ​
    (m. 1963; div. 1971)​
  • Suzanne Otcasek
    ​
    ​
    (m. 1971; div. 1988)​
  • ​
    (m. 1989)​
Websitericocasek.com

Richard Theodore Otcasek[1] (March 23, 1944 – September 15, 2019), known as Ric Ocasek (/oʊˈkæsɪk/ oh-CASS-ik[2]), was an American musician, singer, songwriter, and record producer. He was the primary vocalist, rhythm guitarist, songwriter, and frontman for the American new wave band the Cars. In addition to his work with the Cars, Ocasek recorded seven solo albums, and his song "Emotion in Motion" was a top 20 hit in the United States in 1986.

Ocasek also worked as a record producer for artists such as Motion City Soundtrack,[3] Suicide,[4] Bad Brains,[5] Weezer,[6] Nada Surf,[7] Guided by Voices[8] and No Doubt.[9] In 2018, Ocasek was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a member of the Cars.[10]

  1. ^ "Ric Ocasek, rock star and the Cars frontman, has died". CBS News.
  2. ^ "The Untold Truth Of The Cars". YouTube. September 18, 2019. Retrieved June 9, 2023.
  3. ^ "Motion City Soundtrack – Even If It Kills Me". Discogs.
  4. ^ "Suicide – Suicide: Alan Vega - Martin Rev". Discogs.
  5. ^ "Bad Brains – Rock For Light". Discogs.
  6. ^ "Weezer – Weezer". Discogs.
  7. ^ "Nada Surf - High/Low". Discogs.
  8. ^ "Guided By Voices – Do The Collapse". Discogs.
  9. ^ Stephen Thomas Erlewine. "Rock Steady Review". AllMusic.
  10. ^ Greene, Andy (December 13, 2017). "The Cars' Ric Ocasek on the Hall of Fame: 'It's a Good Cap to the Bottle'". Rolling Stone.