The Cars

The Cars formed in Boston in 1976, led by songwriter and rhythm guitarist Ric Ocasek alongside bassist Benjamin Orr. Signed to Elektra after a 13-way bidding war, their 1978 self-titled debut — produced by Roy Thomas Baker — became one of the fastest-selling debut albums in the label's history. The band merged new wave precision with classic pop architecture, satisfying punk audiences and Top 40 radio simultaneously. Key albums include The Cars (1978), Candy-O (1979), Heartbeat City (1984), and the greatest hits collection Shake It Up. They were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2018. Ocasek died in September 2019.