The Cars Frontman Ric Ocasek Passes Away At 75

Founder and frontman of iconic new wave outfit The Cars, Ric Ocasek, is confirmed to have died at the age of 75.

As Pitchfork reports, the New York Police Department have confirmed the Baltimore songwriter was found in his bed and pronounced dead at the scene.

After forming in Boston in 1976, The Cars released their self-titled debut album in 1978 which included three of the band's biggest hits - Just What I Needed, My Best Friend's Girl and Good Times Roll.

Their second LP, 1979's Candy-O, was the band's most successful album in Australia and peaked at #7 on the local charts.

Ocasek also released a number of solo albums prior to The Cars' split in 1988, with his first being 1982's Beatitude.

While The Cars briefly reformed in 2011 with their first album in 24 years, Move Like This, Ocasek also produced works for a number of big acts including Weezer, No Doubt, Suicide and Bad Religion.

The songwriter also produced the title track for Sydney group Waikiki's 2002 EP, New Technology.

Ocasek and The Cars were inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame in 2018.

Tributes have begun to flow on social media following news of Ocasek's passing. 

The weezer family is devastated by the loss of our friend and mentor Ric Ocasek, who passed away Sunday. We will miss him forever, & will forever cherish the precious times we got to work and hang out with him. Rest in Peace & rock on Ric, we love you. #RIPRicOcasek #karlscorner pic.twitter.com/JcTXevr6V8

— weezer (@Weezer) September 16, 2019

The Bad Brains blew my mind but when I turned their album Rock For Light over to the back & found out Ric Ocasek of The Cars produced it, my world was set on fire. After that I didn’t give a fuck about “guilty pleasures” or what other people thought was cool.
R.I.P. Ric Ocasek pic.twitter.com/2WLZQ4xvD4

— Danko Jones (@dankojones) September 16, 2019

RIP Ric Ocasek
Always loved the music of The Cars RS

— Ron Sexsmith 💙 (@RonSexsmith) September 16, 2019

I’m stunned and saddened by the loss of Ric Ocasek - he was a visionary who affected the lives and hearts of everyone who listened to music in the 80s. God Speed, Ric! Keep Moving in Stereo!

— RainnWilson (@rainnwilson) September 16, 2019