Joe Milliken on Why The Cars Broke Up 

The saddest thing about the break up is that it also broke up their very very long companionship if not their friendship. It's very difficult when you have two extremely creative people to work together unless you do so on purpose. It's really too bad because it could have been an win win.

I bought the book and within two weeks, finished it. Great book. I don't like to read much but if I start reading a book and realized that it's going to be good, I'll keep on reading. Fantastic book by Joe.

There are no details when things are obvious. Rik had all the power, all the money and all the incentive to simply stop the Cars. I know that he did a solo album and so did Benjamin Orr soon after the breakup and both were good, spawning hits from both but it's such a bummer that Rik couldn't just keep it going and be the 'good guy' in the story. There is always an issue when one guy writes the songs but it's really not a fair deal when a BAND is contributing to the SOUND of the songs. The solos, the unique drum fills and playing, the vocals and all the sauce of their different dynamics all mixing together is what made them so successful. In the end, it's just a shame that it couldn't go on. Some part of me feels like Rik was jealous of how cool Benjamin Orr was and how good his voice sounded. The song Drive is still a timeless classic with him singing it.

Ben es y será recordado por ser un músico cantante maravilloso para mí Ben era de Cars se le extraña hasta hoy 2023 besos al cielo Ben Orar

Paulina Poriszova is writing a book about among other things her life with Ric,and says that he was a control freak and could be hard to live with. As for Ben suggesting the songs he wrote with DGP, Ric didn’t like the lyrics and to be honest, Ben knew Ric was controlling and wrote all the songs I don’t think it as all Ben’s idea to ask him.

I appreciate Milliken taking the interest and writing a book about Benjamin Orr. And he seems like a really sincere person. But I want the dirt :-).

I'd imagine that Rick and Ben had a pretty good working relationship through the 70's and early 80's when The Cars were on top of the rock n' roll mountain...not to mention it was a great time to be on top in the rock/pop heyday of the 1980s. I always felt that their willingness to share that spotlight was part of why the collective group did so well. As is so often the case, a group doesn't ascend if it's all one person. The Cars had a ton of success with that kind of formula. As time went on, I'd have to think that human nature started to dictate the situation. Simple translation: Sooner or later everyone wants a bigger piece of the pie. This is probably also the short end version of what eventually brought down the Beatles. There are different ways that a band can receive revenues. Music videos, appearances, album sales, etc. But likely the case where those other things pale in comparison to being on tour. Perhaps things would have been different if Door to Door had been more successful. But I think the writing was on the wall... As a fan, all you can do is enjoy it while it lasts.

That’s a real shame. They were possibly the best pop band of the era spanning the late1970’s through the 80’s. I really miss the music and the general vibe of that era, especially 78 through about 85. Perhaps because it was when I was young enough to still idolize other musicians and bands. Perhaps it was how so many artists came together for good causes then. Perhaps it’s just because it was the soundtrack to my youth.

Um lindissimo SORRISO E BELEZA DE UM HOMAO INESQUECIVEL TODO BELISSIMO BEN. LOVEEEEEE 😢😢😢😢❤❤❤❤ 🌹 Rosa M.C.

Let's all agree there was a drastic change in the music landscape which is why it didn't do well. I liked it. Reality is that Ben and Ric didn't travel together on that tour and Ben had his own creative ideas that Ric wasn't open to. In all the years of the Cars Ric wrote all the songs. He wasn't going to change.

Thanks so much Joe!!! The cars were the best band ever ever ever!!!! Yesssssss play that rock + roll!!!! 🎸🎶🎸😁👍👍😘😘😘💞💞💞

Thank you dear Joe and Play That Rock'n'Roll

Ric didn’t want to share the spotlight at a certain point. What a fool. Ben should have always sang 80, not 40% of the songs. Benjamin Orr was the superstar. Door to Door was the least selling Cars album. Imo, that was due to its extreme pop sensibility - this was the late 80s, right when dark wave was happening, which The Cars ushered in in the late 70s with Moving in Stereo and Candy-O. Ric’s voice was about as good as any Ramone, which is not saying much. Milliken tries to stay all diplomatic, but let’s be real.

Well, the album Door to Door was the lowest selling album in the cars career and one year later the band parted ways. Ego and money play the devil's advocate each time these hungry groups make it to that Grande stadium that pedestal of stardom and " Bam" the bandmates want to start private projects or the biggie the cash. I'm sure Ric was a bit egotistic and if we had been flies on the wall I'm sure Ric didn't like that Ben made all the songs he sang in that band hits plus he had the looks that girls wanted .