Ric Ocasek of The Cars died yesterday ... as of this morning, no official cause of death has been announced.  He was 75.

The Cars first burst on the scene with their self-titled debut album in 1978.  It spawned the hits "Just What I Needed" (#24), "My Best Friend's Girl" (#35) and "Good Times Roll." (#41)

Not quite punk, the band was part of the up and coming "New Wave" movement ... and quickly became the most successful in this new genre.  They didn't sound like ANYBODY else ... and Ric's voice in particular was quite distinctive and unlike any other.  They were fittingly inducted into The Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame last year.

Several other Top 40 (and "just-missed" Top 40) Hits followed including "Let's Go" (#12, 1979), "It's All I Can Do" (#40, 1979), "Touch And Go" (#37, 1980), "Shake It Up" (#3, 1982), "Since You're Gone" (#41, 1982), "You Might Think" (#7, 1984), "Magic" (#12, 1984), "Drive," the band's biggest hit, written and sung by bassist Benjamin Orr, who passed away from pancreatic cancer in 2000 (#3, 1984), "Hello Again" (#19, 1984), "Why Can't I Have You" (#33, 1985), "Tonight She Comes" (#7, 1986), "I'm Not The One" (#32, 1986) and "You Are The Girl" (#17, 1987).  Ocasek also scored a solo hit with "Emotion In Motion" (#15, 1986).  (Of course, another favorite for the teenage boy in all of us would have to be "Movin' In Stereo," if only for the classic Phoebe Cates scene in "Fast Times At Ridgemont High"!!!) 
https://player.vimeo.com/video/93648782?cjevent=4705d002d87111e980c706d00a240610

As you can see, they regularly crossed over to the pop charts with ease.  Not a day goes by, some thirty years later, when you don't hear at least a couple of their songs on the radio each and every day.  In fact, 21 of their songs were nominated for our TOP 3333 MOST ESSENTIAL CLASSIC ROCK SONGS OF ALL TIME List, as were both above-mentioned solo hits.

We'll miss you, Rick ... but the music of The Cars will live on forever.  Many of their recordings are considered iconic tunes ... and rightfully so.  (kk)