Benjamin Orr. The most handsome singer that ever was, and will continue to be. No one today even comes close to this multi talented , humble, handsome man.
Benjamin is one hunk of a man. He’s got the looks with his bedroom eyes and his pouty lips. I wish I had seen them in concert but I was called home for a family emergency. I their songs all the time when I’m in my car. And then here on RU-vid . I’m getting ready to read the book on Benjamin. One thing for sure he’s so missed. R.I.P. Benjamin ❤️🩹❤️🩹❤️🩹❤️🩹
Ben is absolutely the coolest, best looking and most entertaining singer I have ever seen.And he seemed like such a nice guy,no arrogance!! What a shame he had to be taken so young!!! So enjoyable to listen to his songs and videos. Wish I could find things written about him to read
I, being a kid when the Cars were famous, didn't know that Ben Orr was the 'real' singer insofar as many of the Cars big hits. Wow!! This band was a fave of my Mum back in the day. So, it's both appreciated @ nostalgic.
They were not underrated. They were very much recognized and appreciated, especially from their debut in '78 and up til at least '82. While they went on to do more great music, '78-82 were their best years. Then by '84, the whole New Wave movement kind of petered out. At least, the excitement of it did.
70s 80 they were never underrated. They still have legions of fans. I ran a FB fan page a few years ago and got to know Elliot and Greg and family friends. Had to take it down due to crazy jealous uber fans which was unfortunate. Been a fan for decades. Rest in peace Ben and Ric.
@@LAwoman1956 Agreed. I saw them seven times in the 80s including the Door To Door Tour (sadly their last). I think it's interesting that you're starting to see their music used in mainstream television and commercials now...something you never saw when they were in their heyday. I still listen to them today - have like six of their albums on my Ipod in the car. Let the good times roll!
@@samr.england613- I agree with your comment. I just want to point out that The Cars biggest hit, ‘Drive’, was in 1984, and their set at Live Aid in 1985 was a boost for them.
I always loved the way Elliot jam-danced around kinda like a bass player would. And the way Greg made those faces. Ben was usually pouty and David and Ric were sorta robotic. Just a once-in-a-lifetime gathering of talented musicians and unique personalities.
I've said this before, but it bears repeating: If we can possibly forget Ben's good looks for a moment, how about his musicianship? That bass line, on keyboard, is not the hardest thing in the world to play, nor the vocal melody the hardest one in the world to sing. But to do both at the same time? I just tried it. With no practice or warmup at all, it was flat-out impossible. Maybe, if I practiced it for a few hours, I could do it BADLY. Ben sounds superb doing both, and makes it look easy!
He was an incredible musician and an amazing showman , he was born to do what he did. It tears me apart that his life was cut short. He had so much more he wanted to do.
It's just as you said, he was ABSOLUTELY shy! That's just how he was. Even so, he was very talented and loved to perform so much! That was definitely a part of his charm (not to mention his angelic features). He had a very modest, quiet, shy and unpretentious personality. A rare find indeed.
Really it's getting close to 30 years if this was recorded in 1981. I'm sad Ben is gone, and I never realized at the time how much he helped define the Cars.
Back in the day when we were all young , we watched cartoons on Saturday morning and bands performed on special shows like this one, Midnight Special, Solid Gold etc. 😜👍🏻
I love this song, almost the same as " Drive". Benjamin looked younger that he was. He was amazing, what a voice. How could someone with such a delicate appearance, have such a strong voice.
Fridays wouldn't be around much longer, but I do remember it, and this episode. It was replaced in March or April by a show you may have heard of, "Late Night With David Letterman."
I don't remember this show at all! I was a senior in high school and I don't remember ever hearing of "Fridays." Also, I know Ken Cummings said it was replaced by David Letterman, but "Fridays" was on ABC, and Letterman was on NBC to start after Leno then moved to CBS after NBC didn't pick him to replace Leno.
WILD!! so many comparisons to Elvis. And SPOT ON! I was browsing an antique shop a few days ago and there was music softly playing on the soundsystem. Low and behold Elvis' "All Shook Up" was on and the resemblance to Benjamin vocal styling of "Think It Over" was unmistakable. Somewhere I read, a little Benjamin used to amuse family and friends singing Elvis at parties. So, it's reasonable to think Elvis was a strong influence for Orr. May his lovely soul be forever blessed, free and at peace.
wow...It's absolutely mesmerizing watching Benjamin Orr! He was sooo smooth and so full of charisma... They dont make them like Ben Orr anymore..... :( Oct 3, 2000 was TRULY the day music really died! RIP BO we will miss you forever!
Every great song was sang by him. Ric and Ben was a team I wonder if there was a fight and Ben making his own album that broke that friendship and the cars was never again. 😥
I remember this airing on 'Fridays'.Wasnt that much a fan of the Star Wars look costumes, but he looks so handsome in black and I love the his natural color.
Oh Hell yeah! Sassafrass Benjamin! He was a natural with the cameras always zeroing in on him. He always gave us something. Work it Benjamin....WORK IIIITTTT!
Wow, never saw this. Thanks for posting. I always loved this cut off Shake it up. They sound fantastic live here. Ben doing a pretty good tongue in cheek Gary Numan look. Man that cat could sing.
jeeeeeeez i just came from watching one astounding cars performance to another.... it is unbelievable that these guys are not being hailed as the beatles of new wave. i'm dead serious. the cars forever.
It goes without saying that Benjamin Orr was gorgeous in this video, but how hot was Elliot Easton? Wow. Enough about the looks though, The Cars rocked. They always managed to sound better live than on their albums. Every guy in that band is/was crazy talented.
If he had the confedence in himself , not realizing that he was the shit. He was all that and more. If he hadnt been so unhappy he wouldnt have drank n smoked so much , he was trying to fill the empty void he had inside , he kept trying to find happiness and the women he chose , came to him under false pretences n used him . And then turned his shit upside down. Which made him drink more n more . Elliot said he would gargle with jack daniels. Thats so sad , if i had been a lil older i would have been his women n taken good care of him ,thats what he needed n deserved.
Actually Ben was a bit shy. But very kind. A friend of mine was a roadie on the Cars' last tour and had warm things to say about his interactions with Elliot and Greg. But Ben was his favorite; he gushed about how nice and funny Ben was. I loved hearing his stories but I loved Ben and they pull at my heart a little bit.
Je suis sous le charme de ce groupe, je les écoute quasiment tous les jours , ils sont tous top avec leur propre individualité, mais Ben a un charisme fou !
Sheylishka I’m the artist who painted “Amor Alien”. I’m an expert on male beauty and facial symmetry. Ben had “Angel Eyes” and a cherubic mouth = handsome.
@@LauraMolina-PaintDiva Wow! What a good metaphor of the original painting! Of course Benjamin was sooo perfect. He looks like an anime character to me: cute and sexy.
@@sheylishka. LOL He does actually look a bit like an anime character. I read a translation of a Japanese article recently from 1980 or something like that and the interviewer described Ben as having "impressively wide eyes". Sounds like many an anime character. But yes Ben definitely didn't need make up, but when he wore it, he wore it well.
Benjamin Orr - September 8 1947 Lakewood Ohio - Died October 3 2000 Ric Ocasek - March 23 1949 Baltimore Maryland David Robinson - April 2 1949 Woburn Massachusetts Greg Hawkes - October 22 1952 Fulton Maryland Elliot Easton - December 18 1953 Brooklyn New York Tough guys play pink guitars!! ~Dutch
How I missed this one, I'll never know. I can't say more than what's already been said. He was just "IT" for me. Voice, looks and presence. Class act...and a dear person. I miss your fabulous smile, Ben. XO
Diese Band war ein Wahnsinn. Was für ein Song. Unglaublich - einfach fantastisch. Benjamin Du bleibst uns ewig in Erinnerung. Danke dem lieben Gott, dass uns so viel Freude mit Dir gemacht hat.
The best live Band on a most serious level of excellence far more Superior during a live production then most bands a lot of bands you hear live and you're like what the fuc literally but they always sounds just like the album especially when Ben is singing there is no difference
great song, amazing album and performance. ben orr, i will love you til my dying day. i was a young teenager when i saw them on this show and this takes me back instantly. thanks for posting.
He looks so sweet, as a child, i love his expression when the performance finished , as...shy..I love him too ! Thanks for post all this little jewels.
we do not know a whole lot about Benjamin, as he was not a self-promoter. The last thing you'd find him doing was bragging about his abilities or star appeal. Few know he had many years of training on drums, played keyboards and his best love was playing rhythm guitar. Thing is, his Bass playing was incredible. It stood out and really added a special layer to this great band's music.
I love his voice in this, he sounds so New Wave, he's hot like that! I never get tired of this song, I requested it constantly in the clubs in the 80s.
This throbbing bass guitar throb and jangly lyrics and drum beat certainly do remind me of old cartoons especially from the 60s and many other fine decades. They might try to deny it but this is vaudville. It's a passion that you just cant fake, back to the 1920s.
