The Indie World Reacts To The Death Of The Cars Frontman Ric Ocasek

The Cars frontman Ric Ocasek died on Sunday, September 15, at 75 years old. The New York Police Department received a call at about 4 p.m. ET “for an unconscious male at a townhouse on East 19th Street, and Ocasek was pronounced dead at the scene.

The Cars were known for singles like “Just What I Needed” and “My Best Friend’s Girl,” both of which came from their self-titled 1978 debut album. The band had a prosperous career after that, and was inducted into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame in 2018. Aside from his work with The Cars, Ocasek released seven solo albums, the final of which being 2005’s Nexterday. Ocasek was also respected as a producer, and is perhaps most noted in that regard for working with Weezer on The Blue Album, The Green Album, and Everything Will Be Alright In The End. He also produced for acts like Nada Surf, Bad Religion, No Doubt, and Guided By Voices.

Since the news of Ocasek’s passing broke, many figures from the indie world (and beyond) have shared their reactions. Weezer shared photos of them and Ocasek from throughout the years, and wrote in the heartfelt caption:

“Ric meant so much to us. He produced 3 key weezer albums, Blue, Green and 2014’s ‘Everything…,’ and taught all of us so much about music, recording and songcraft. But more importantly he taught us that one can be in a respected position of great power and yet be absolutely humble and have the biggest sweetest heart in the industry.

Ric was so kind to us, and never faltered or changed a thing either professionally or personally in the 3 different decades we worked with him. When you were his friend, it was for life, and he was always as generous as could be with his time and care.

He is the only producer to have worked with all 7 current and past weezer members, and all 7 love and loved working with him and hanging out with him. There is a massive hole in weezer’s heart now. We will miss him forever, and will forever cherish the precious times we got to work and hang out with him. Rest in Peace and rock on Ric, we love you.”

Find some other reactions below, from people like Beck, Nile Rodgers, and The Killers.

https://www.instagram.com/p/B2eRZExhbih/

https://www.instagram.com/p/B2dHPgHlMq_/

https://twitter.com/therealelp/status/1173412399648518144

https://twitter.com/therealelp/status/1173414099012767744