The Midnight Special was magical as we saw all the best bands the world has produced at their zenith. Thank God for You Tube for these amazing clips of great bands. I think hundreds of years from now people will look at the music of the 197O's and 1980's the same way we look back at the Renaissance. The music from the 1990's to the present day is awful.
@@johnroche7541I remember watching Midnight Special when David Bowie had that red or orange hair. I remember sitting there going holy sht wtf. First time I had ever seen something like that.
They were just a fantastic band Benjamin Orr was a really sweet guy I have read stories about him over the years and with all the fame he just lived like a regular guy.....RIP Ben and Rick....
I remember sneaking out of bed to watch midnight special and Mary Hartman,Mary Hartman,I think it was on Friday night,but my mom would not let me stay up and watch,I guess I was too young!
lloro saber que ya no estan estos cracxks de la musica...que exelencia en todo lo que hacian...los mejores..2024 junio...y suenan en mi casa a todo volumen...
When you are almost 60 and never knew Ric wasn't the only singer for the Cars. Seriously appreciate learning about Benjamin and his talent. He was truly awesome
It was a long time before I realized Rick was not the main singer. I bought their double cassette when I was 11 it wasn't til I was about 30 I learned my mistake.
Yeah isn't that weird? I always thought Ric sang all the songs. Some sort of weird Mandela effect. I was in my 50s when I found out. How did this happen?
@@mfsb8473 No. Orr may have had a "better" voice in the traditional sense but Ocasek's was definitely more interesting sounding and was one of the elements that made the band unique and original.
We had more than 3 channels when Midnight Special aired, but we were in the San Francisco bay area, so maybe that explained it. Friday night/Saturday morning after Johnny Carson. Between Midnight Special, Rock Concert and later Videowest Backstage Pass; live music was something we could see at home.
@@deenine There was some similarity. But Rick's voice kind of wobbled, had a little hippity hop, and was a bit more baritone, with Ben more staccato, leaning tenor. Could be that Rick wanted Ben to sing things a certain way. As Rick wrote most of the material, I'll wager he sang on demo tracks and Ben tried to emulate him to a degree.
This video is special. The closeup of Ben Orr is Gold. I wasn’t a big fan of Cars when they started but that has changed since I saw this video. Yes Ric was a genius. The other band members were great but Ben Orr , the voice, the face, the hair, this is his Best. Cheers Ben please rest in peace except to hear those who get such joy from your presence on Earth. Thank you Sir.
Almost forgot how incredibly sexy Orr was as a front man, and not just his look but his voice. This Midnight Special segment is so much better than when I saw them live in 1984, so so much better.
It's crazy because I always thought of him as another random older rocker dude in the 80s, but watching this now... my goodness, he really was so beautiful.
@@bradowen761 Totally agree - I was too young to appreciate Ben when this song came out but OMG he is perfection! Both as a musician, vocalist and rockstar!
I’m officially obsessed with this particular video. Thank goodness the cameraman spent so much time zoomed in on the beautiful face of Benjamin Orr. Fantastic voice, great song!
Fellow cancer survivor here! (colon stage 3) Hope you are well! That man was a damn treasure! 😻😻😻 Got to briefly meet Ric ocasek on the heartbeat City tour. Glad to report I was the uncoolest, slobberiest, dork fan girl EVER 🤔😵💫😹 (Ben waved at us as he was passing by . Be still my 💜
Ben was so incredibly GORGEOUS 😍 with a rockstar body, rockstar voice & beautiful angelic voice, as well. He was extremely humble & so proffessional. RIP Ben Orr 😢 & Ric -you both will never be forgotten. I wish I had got the chance to see Ben perform live with The Cars ❤
I understand the comparison because both had a chiseled/sculpted look to his face. I guess I’m too picky in that I don’t think their facial features were that similar.
@@wheelinthesky300- That makes perfect sense. Don’t mind me. I’ve seen the Rutger Hauer comparison a lot, from people who seem to think he and Benjamin Orr are lookalikes. I do know that just because I don’t see it in facial features, doesn’t mean the resemblance isn’t there. I of course agree Benjamin is *handsome* and a lot of straight guys have commented on that!
I totally agree with all of the Benjamin Orr comments. He is captivating on stage, with his unique voice, stage presence, and looks. I never get tired of watching him play no matter how many times I see him. Thanks for the memories, Ben!
Most debut albums are made up of all the band's best stuff they've written and compiled during their pre record deal career years. the 2nd and 3rd album is the real trick. Less time and more pressure.
One of the all time great voices in Rock history. Far too few people knew that most of the hits were built around Ben's one of a kind voice, and these lived performances rendered while playing bass. 70's rock was the sound of incredible vocalists: Ben, Brad Delp, Paul Rodgers and Lou Gramm.
Actually I think all of their older live versions are better than their recorded versions. Once they toured in 1984 though I think the powers that be synthesized their voices whilst in concert. Ruined it for me. I concentrate on these older performances : )
me too my friend. saw them on Halloween 1979 in Portland Maine and it still ranks as one of my all time favorites slightly behind two Eagles front rows in Boston and a meet and greet with Joe Walsh.
Uhh, I love this! Benjamin is soo gorgeous! In the MTV era it seems like he was kinda pushed to the background, even on Drive you couldnt see him for all the acting going on around him. This is a perfect performance! Thank you so much for posting these super talented guys! Love this channel and seeing all of these amazing bands in their prime!
I saw them live in ‘79 @ Arrowhead Stadium nose bleed seats. We made it down to the standing room only floor section when Cars came on (all day concert). They sounded great but never ‘saw’ them up close, figured Ric sang lead back then also. If only I’d known what Ben looked~played bass like, I’d have squirmed my way to him! 😂😅
Ben Orr as good looking as we was he was very private and reserved, introverted of you will. So I don’t think he necessarily even cared about being in the background.
@@erichschorr2609No, he did mind as did the rest of the group. After a while Ric was in the forefront and it was part of the tension that lead to the breakup.
That's kinda how they made records back in the day. They go in the studio and get everyone's sound just right, and the mics were setup for each instrument and the sound they wanted to capture. Then the band all just played.
@sombojoe lads, it's OK to find a guy attractive or handsome. You don't need to qualify your sexuality. It's your opinion. Valid. It's only a little gay. Besides. I was born in 66. I DON'T GIVE A FLYING FUCK WHAT PEOPLE THINK OF ME. ACTUALLY I DON'T GIVE A FLYING FUCK. LOL
Exceptional performance by The Cars, what a wonderful era of music, thank you The Midnight Special for this exceptional collection, you rock..and roll!
Okay, I’m an 80’s child who was born in 78 and had no idea there was a front man before Ric and this is the first time I’m seeing Benjamin Orr. My mind is absolutely blown. Just blown.
Ben Orr wasn't showy like Ric; but he did some of their best ballads. I believe the last to really stand out was "Drive" released in 1984 which hit #3 in the Top 100 and #1 in Adult Contemporary. It's also the only single the Cars ever had that certified Gold.
Haven’t you ever heard anyone say, “I’m straight, but he/she is drop-dead gorgeous.” ? Let the person self-identify as they will, they’re simply saying they’re capable of recognizing beauty without bias.
Funnily enough my first thought when I saw the singer was “dang that’s one attractive dude, especially for the 70’s.” And ofc the comment section are 50+% people head over heels over him😂
Hahaha..thats so funny...Im a kid of the 80s & 90s and I always thought it was R Ocasik leading..I missed him altogether and am blown away by his looks and presence...omg...so, I get i!!!!
Ben Orr is one of those few guys like say Otis Redding (regardless of style diff) who could communicate in short stoccato notes so many different nuances within one octave or so.
It's rare when everyone in a band is a genius and totally compatible for the music. Well these guys were absolute geniuses. And none of them could have done it alone. Their first two albums were absolute flawless master pieces. Every song, not one note out of place, feeds you into the next, on both albums. They blew the lid off of old rock and ushered in the new rock in 1979 and 1980.
I can't stop watching this. He's was just so beautiful, and talented with a captivating stage presence. More importantly, he was humble and grateful for his time with The Cars. Interviewer: "Are you the sexy one, Ben?" Ben: "Hell, no!" How I wish he was with us longer! ❤
I'm 63 and Just realized all my favorites are sung by Ben, who is so dang handsome!! Back in the 70's and 80's, you had to buy a music magazine to see good pictures of bands. When MTV happened, I didn't have a TV. I do love YT for all the footage I get to watch and all have yet to discover.
I thought the same thing...that Ric sang all their songs. I stumbled across this video a few years ago here on YT and found out different. Lots of talent in The Cars!
Ben's father and paternal grandfather were born in present day Ukraine. His mother, born Alzbeta Benova, was Carpatho-Rusyn and born in present day Kojšov, Slovakia.
@@stevenvondrak Thank you for this comment, first I've ever read that was correct about his ancestry. His mother's birth location was Hungary at the time, but border changed to Czechoslovakia 6 years before she emigrated. Many people from that town settled in the Cleveland area. Mother Hungarian, Father Russian by birth location. Religion was Russian Orthodox.
Elliot Easton was such a fantastic guitarist, his live solos were spot on to the studio recordings! Clean crisp and not a missed note! He was so underrated!
So many great memories from that show. Staying up, "sleepovers" with my best friend. I saw an interview of Ben, and he said he didn't really like doing vocals. I'm so glad he did. The songs they chose for him to sing were perfect because he sang them.
OK, folks over 55, tell me if this song was on at least one of your mix tapes... Uh-huh, right? lol. The boys were good tight 5 piece. The Cars were like the bridge from the 70's to the 80's, because those two decades couldn't have been more different.
Growing up, don’t think I ever appreciated what a unique sound Ben Orr had with his vocals - especially when he goes deep into his basement voice. I mean, he and the other singer sound British (kinda like Bowie) yet it’s an American band! And for some reason, I always thought of the Cars as a purely ‘80s band, didn’t remember “Just What I Needed” coming out as early as ‘78. I used to listen to Casey Kasem’s weekly Top 40 show religiously, his annual Top 100 show & often saw the Midnight Special. Maybe it took a few hit songs for the Cars to really get on my radar? There was so much great music back then, a lot of really great bands/tunes competing to stand out, but the Cars were really first-rate. Plus I was a kid and really took things for granted, there was so much great music - hard rock, pop, punk, funk, rhythm & blues, soul, the beginning of post-punk & New Wave alternative rock. I loved a lot of stuff but didn’t truly appreciate it as I do now!
Well put. They must have rehearsed their asses off because there are a lot of moving parts to that song! And yes, Benjamin Orr was gorgeous! 🔥 RIP, Ben and Ric
looking back now with perspective, I think the Cars I one of the under appreciated groups of all-time. Great songs, great vocalists , sad they are gone
The Cars were the sound track for every smokin adolescent girl that I'd have no clue what to do with, what a great band. I played the hell out of that first record when I was 10, 11, 12 years old and still absolutely love it today. Great stuff!
EE was brilliant. He was like their unacknowledged secret weapon. Everybody fawned over Ben and Ric, but EE's parts and playing were absolutely *crucial* for this band. Brilliant.
One of the most underrated singers ever Benjamin Orr at least they finally got their due to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame unfortunately He wasn't there RIP Ben
@@johnurban7333- I’m not fond of the overused “underrated,” either. In terms of Benjamin Orr though, an element of under recognition, thus under appreciation, is there. Even amongst fans of The Cars it’s largely unknown how many of their songs have Benjamin’s lead vocals. He seems too obscure relative to all of his talent. I don’t know as underrated is the word for it, but something seems wrong.
One of the most perfect pop records ever made. In 1978, I was at the Aragon Ballroom in Chicago, waiting for Elvis Costello and the Attractions to come on. This single had recently been released and came on over the PA. The audience, already familiar with it, went up for grabs. Brilliant.
Ben had the looks and the voice... What an AMAZING rockstar
Ben making all the girls sick in 78
He reminds me of Roger Taylor from Queen.
I agree
I miss real music like this. One of my favorite bands for sure. I loved the Midnight Special!
I feel the same way. Thank God for video and RUclips.
Hell Yeah!!! The Cars 🚗 were an amazing band. ONE OF A KIND!
The Midnight Special was magical as we saw all the best bands the world has produced at their zenith. Thank God for You Tube for these amazing clips of great bands. I think hundreds of years from now people will look at the music of the 197O's and 1980's the same way we look back at the Renaissance. The music from the 1990's to the present day is awful.
@@johnroche7541I remember watching Midnight Special when David Bowie had that red or orange hair. I remember sitting there going holy sht wtf. First time I had ever seen something like that.
@@johnroche7541- I wouldn’t go quite so far back as to when music became awful, but I agree with you.
They were just a fantastic band Benjamin Orr was a really sweet guy I have read stories about him over the years and with all the fame he just lived like a regular guy.....RIP Ben and Rick....
The way he moves his mouth, it's hypnotic. 👁️ - 👁️
And those hooded half mast eyes!!! Oh God
I remember sneaking out of bed to watch midnight special and Mary Hartman,Mary Hartman,I think it was on Friday night,but my mom would not let me stay up and watch,I guess I was too young!
lloro saber que ya no estan estos cracxks de la musica...que exelencia en todo lo que hacian...los mejores..2024 junio...y suenan en mi casa a todo volumen...
I had a lot of girlfriends, but none were as pretty as Benjamin Orr.
No one was as pretty as Ben except for David Gilmour.
What a great live
Love this is a live song and not the studio track - like was often done on this show.
I remember this show most often having live, not lip sync, performances.
Great song, one of the best
Where did the great bands go??. Such is life...
When you are almost 60 and never knew Ric wasn't the only singer for the Cars. Seriously appreciate learning about Benjamin and his talent. He was truly awesome
I thought the exact same thing! I had no idea, but now I can hear the difference. And I’m 59! Lol
So you thought Ric was the one who sung Drive?
I always thought Rick was the singer and I was listening to these guys in the early 80's.
It was a long time before I realized Rick was not the main singer. I bought their double cassette when I was 11 it wasn't til I was about 30 I learned my mistake.
Yeah isn't that weird? I always thought Ric sang all the songs. Some sort of weird Mandela effect. I was in my 50s when I found out. How did this happen?
Benjamin Orr, one of the coolest guys ever!
People don’t realize how many hits he sang!
Especially in the beginning of this song, he reminded me of a male equivalent of Debbie Harry. Those 2 together would have been an unbeatable couple
Ric Ocasek should have let Ben sing all the songs. When you have a guy in the band as handsome as Ben, you make him the front man.
He absolutely was. So talented yet humble.
@@mfsb8473 No. Orr may have had a "better" voice in the traditional sense but Ocasek's was definitely more interesting sounding and was one of the elements that made the band unique and original.
You can't make kids today understand how important the Midnight Special was, back when you had 3 TV channels and no internet.
It was a cultural moment that will only ever exist in posterity. Time grinds onward.
Well said.
I am just discovering it, we never got it in Aus. Marc Bolan's was a great clip!
Late night live music shows are the absolute best thing ever. We have Later with Jools Holland these days. Priceless.
We had more than 3 channels when Midnight Special aired, but we were in the San Francisco bay area, so maybe that explained it. Friday night/Saturday morning after Johnny Carson. Between Midnight Special, Rock Concert and later Videowest Backstage Pass; live music was something we could see at home.
Benjamin Orr was a beautiful man in every sense of the word.
He really was
Yep. I’m heterosexual but that man was fucking gorgeous and badass
yup... kinda has the bobby from karate kid/luke skywalker look
Very gorgeous man and he sings good too!
He's often referred to as "Beautiful Ben".
Ben's voice has a clarity like distilled water.
One of the best singers of his era.
I can hear a voice that inspired goth singers everywhere... DEFINITELY like his vocals over the howard stern looking guy
@@hankscorpion Rick had a good voice, but more of a novelty sound.
Ben had one of the best voices of the late 70s/early 80s.
@@wheelinthesky300 I think Rick and Ben had very similar voices.
@@deenine There was some similarity.
But Rick's voice kind of wobbled, had a little hippity hop, and was a bit more baritone, with Ben more staccato, leaning tenor. Could be that Rick wanted Ben to sing things a certain way. As Rick wrote most of the material, I'll wager he sang on demo tracks and Ben tried to emulate him to a degree.
@@wheelinthesky300 Once I learned to listen I could hear it, but as a kid I always thought it was one guy.
This video is special. The closeup of Ben Orr is Gold. I wasn’t a big fan of Cars when they started but that has changed since I saw this video. Yes Ric was a genius. The other band members were great but Ben Orr , the voice, the face, the hair, this is his Best. Cheers Ben please rest in peace except to hear those who get such joy from your presence on Earth. Thank you Sir.
Or was the straw that stirred the drink
Almost forgot how incredibly sexy Orr was as a front man, and not just his look but his voice. This Midnight Special segment is so much better than when I saw them live in 1984, so so much better.
It's crazy because I always thought of him as another random older rocker dude in the 80s, but watching this now... my goodness, he really was so beautiful.
@@bradowen761 Totally agree - I was too young to appreciate Ben when this song came out but OMG he is perfection! Both as a musician, vocalist and rockstar!
Heck even his teeth were sexy! LOL
I’m officially obsessed with this particular video. Thank goodness the cameraman spent so much time zoomed in on the beautiful face of Benjamin Orr. Fantastic voice, great song!
Ditto!! Benjamin was gorgeous? ❤❤🔥🔥😘😘
Happy heavenly birthday Benjamin ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤
My eyeballs are forever grateful!
57 year old straight guy about to head out to deer camp and I agree, man crush! 😂
A band who defined the 80's pop sound in the 70's
Most decade cultures often start in the last years of the previous decade.
100% ahead of their time. Same with Talking Heads, and so many other great bands that spawned in the mid-'70s.
Bingo. These guys were new wave 5 years b4 the term even existed. 80s synth pop was basically launched off these guys.
And the 70s were riding off the waves of the 60s
I'd say that was the B-52s.
I am angry I didn’t understand how Ben was vital to my life until now. He is a treasure and I am grateful for his voice. Cancer sucks.
Fellow cancer survivor here!
(colon stage 3) Hope you are well! That man was a damn treasure! 😻😻😻 Got to briefly meet Ric ocasek on the heartbeat City tour.
Glad to report I was the uncoolest, slobberiest, dork fan girl EVER 🤔😵💫😹
(Ben waved at us as he was passing by . Be still my 💜
It's nuts how good Ben Orr is. He's nailing the vocals and the visuals... while playing bass. And he's nailing that too.
Ben was such an incredible singer. But also he exuded amazing charm, and coolness. He was mesmerizing to watch.
and he was a good looking fella as well.
Mesmerising and hot AF … my first rock ❤❤❤
He was a very humble man too, makes him all the more 🥵!!
Not gonna lie, he was an incredibly handsome man. True "rock star" good looks.
Anyone else think he looks like Jude Law.
Ben was so incredibly GORGEOUS 😍 with a rockstar body, rockstar voice & beautiful angelic voice, as well. He was extremely humble & so proffessional. RIP Ben Orr 😢 & Ric -you both will never be forgotten. I wish I had got the chance to see Ben perform live with The Cars ❤
He was a beautiful man inside and out.
I love the Cars; Benjamin Orr is awesome! Elliot Easton very underrated.
I'm a straight dude, but is Ben Orr handsome, or what?
He's got a less jagged Rutger Hauer thing going on.
It’s ok if you’re not straight too 😊
I understand the comparison because both had a chiseled/sculpted look to his face. I guess I’m too picky in that I don’t think their facial features were that similar.
@@ellab8897 I meant they were both blond and nordic looking.
@@wheelinthesky300- That makes perfect sense. Don’t mind me. I’ve seen the Rutger Hauer comparison a lot, from people who seem to think he and Benjamin Orr are lookalikes. I do know that just because I don’t see it in facial features, doesn’t mean the resemblance isn’t there. I of course agree Benjamin is *handsome* and a lot of straight guys have commented on that!
@@ellab8897No, I agree with you. INot THAT much of a resemblance.
I totally agree with all of the Benjamin Orr comments. He is captivating on stage, with his unique voice, stage presence, and looks. I never get tired of watching him play no matter how many times I see him. Thanks for the memories, Ben!
And l agree with you.
probably my fav solo break of all time - so short, concise, so perfect...
Couldn’t agree more. He has many solos that said what was needed without dragging on.
Apparently it's also incredibly technically difficult
Their first album could have been a greatest hits album it is that good !
It’s one of those rare perfect debut albums.
Most debut albums are made up of all the band's best stuff they've written and compiled during their pre record deal career years. the 2nd and 3rd album is the real trick. Less time and more pressure.
yep, total class.
Wait...I thought it was a greatest hits album!!!
And yet Candy O was a better album. It was significantly more refined.
What a voice Ben had. No computers, no tuners, just a microphone plugged into an amplifier. Incredible.
Vocal Analysis from "Wings of Pegasus" RUclips channel - ruclips.net/video/-EbYQyoNU3o/видео.html
One of the all time great voices in Rock history. Far too few people knew that most of the hits were built around Ben's one of a kind voice, and these lived performances rendered while playing bass. 70's rock was the sound of incredible vocalists: Ben, Brad Delp, Paul Rodgers and Lou Gramm.
Ben sounds amazing! Great voice.
Was just about to write the same. The vocals are pitch perfect here. Most modern singers would kill to sound like this live!
No autotune...just talent...what a concept (great song...great band). Benjamin left the planet way too soon...f#@k you cancer!!!❤☮🌎
Love this song! Benjamin was smoking hot. So much talent in one band!
Man he was a rockstar
God he was beautiful.
Ben Orr wasn't bad either!
My God Ben was a beautiful creature.
No kidding
You girls need a cold shower.😂
Yup
I'm a completely heterosexual man, and I can see it clearly.
I knoooow ! ❤
Damn his vocal here is so much better than the studio version! Legend, RIP, gone wayyyyyyy too soon.
Actually I think all of their older live versions are better than their recorded versions. Once they toured in 1984 though I think the powers that be synthesized their voices whilst in concert. Ruined it for me. I concentrate on these older performances : )
I just turned 60 and this band still gets me and the wife of 34 years up and rocking.
me too my friend. saw them on Halloween 1979 in Portland Maine and it still ranks as one of my all time favorites slightly behind two Eagles front rows in Boston and a meet and greet with Joe Walsh.
@@mikeparker3865 wow. Now that’s amazing.
Wow Americans were so much better looking in the 70s!
Except for Rick Ocasek lol
Camera angle
He was about the best looking guy ever in rock history huh?
Him and Robert Plant....to me..
David Gilmour back in the day was a strikingly good looking lad, too.
Who’s listening in 2024? This song kills
fuck yeah
I kinda lose my mind!
Right here brotha!!
Ben was a client, Will always be listening!
I am now convinced that I am born in the wrong generation 😂
Uhh, I love this! Benjamin is soo gorgeous! In the MTV era it seems like he was kinda pushed to the background, even on Drive you couldnt see him for all the acting going on around him. This is a perfect performance! Thank you so much for posting these super talented guys! Love this channel and seeing all of these amazing bands in their prime!
Agreed! MTV videos showcased Ric Ocasek as the lead singer, and I never Benjamin Orr sang my favorite Cars song until today.
I saw them live in ‘79 @ Arrowhead Stadium nose bleed seats. We made it down to the standing room only floor section when Cars came on (all day concert). They sounded great but never ‘saw’ them up close, figured Ric sang lead back then also. If only I’d known what Ben looked~played bass like, I’d have squirmed my way to him! 😂😅
Ben Orr as good looking as we was he was very private and reserved, introverted of you will. So I don’t think he necessarily even cared about being in the background.
@@erichschorr2609No, he did mind as did the rest of the group. After a while Ric was in the forefront and it was part of the tension that lead to the breakup.
This band is the perfect example of a well oiled machine. They sounded exactly like being in the studio when they played live.
That's kinda how they made records back in the day. They go in the studio and get everyone's sound just right, and the mics were setup for each instrument and the sound they wanted to capture. Then the band all just played.
@@misterwirez7731 that's actually a pretty uncommon way of recording, even back then. I don't think they recorded the album that way either
@florpcorp so and so... even today bands play together and jo track-wise, especially if they are good.
Thought the backup vocals were a little rough here honestly
I'm 56 and straight as a ruler, but Benjamin Orr is one good looking man.
Just thinking that.
I’m a 59 yo hetero male and I was just about to say how Goddam sexy he is! Haha
@sombojoe lads, it's OK to find a guy attractive or handsome. You don't need to qualify your sexuality. It's your opinion. Valid. It's only a little gay. Besides. I was born in 66. I DON'T GIVE A FLYING FUCK WHAT PEOPLE THINK OF ME. ACTUALLY I DON'T GIVE A FLYING FUCK. LOL
@@Finthefish-hr8ky It was meant to be a joke. I could care less what people would think about me given my comment.
@@MoChua X Gen woo hoo.i was being ironic
Benjamin perfected the sexy side glance...❤
Absolutely! I’m a straight man and I was thinking the same thing!
Rik Ocasek once said something to the effect that all their best songs were given to Benjamin to sing.
Exhibit A:
Exceptional performance by The Cars, what a wonderful era of music, thank you The Midnight Special for this exceptional collection, you rock..and roll!
This is such a great song. Still a banger and sounds as fresh as it did in the 1978.
Ben owned that stage- cool and charismatic to the max.
Ben at his most confident, cool and sexy. Thanks for the music. RIP Ben, you are so missed.
Okay, I’m an 80’s child who was born in 78 and had no idea there was a front man before Ric and this is the first time I’m seeing Benjamin Orr. My mind is absolutely blown. Just blown.
There wasn't a frontman before Ric, it's just that he and Benjamin occasionally would alternate singing duties.
Ben Orr wasn't showy like Ric; but he did some of their best ballads. I believe the last to really stand out was "Drive" released in 1984 which hit #3 in the Top 100 and #1 in Adult Contemporary. It's also the only single the Cars ever had that certified Gold.
@@tjs114 He did some of their best hard rockers, too.
one of the best albums EVER! still playing it in my CAR
The Cars were so freaking good
Ben is gorgeous ♥
Here's to Benjamin! RIP Taken too soon. Thank you for the music!
I'm a 68-year-old straight grampa, but Benjamen Orr is an absolutely gorgeous human.
I'm glad someone else can acknowledge this. Would I want to have sex with Ben Orr? No. Is he pleasant to look at? Yes.
Bi curious grampa?
The accolades he gets are incredible !!
Ditto.
Haven’t you ever heard anyone say, “I’m straight, but he/she is drop-dead gorgeous.” ? Let the person self-identify as they will, they’re simply saying they’re capable of recognizing beauty without bias.
Ben Orr, carried the rhythm and the chorus, and a beautiful bastard to boot.
Ben Orr was gorgeous ... a beautiful voice as well ...
Funnily enough my first thought when I saw the singer was “dang that’s one attractive dude, especially for the 70’s.” And ofc the comment section are 50+% people head over heels over him😂
I think Benjamin Orr just made me turn gay for three and a half minutes.
Hahaha..thats so funny...Im a kid of the 80s & 90s and I always thought it was R Ocasik leading..I missed him altogether and am blown away by his looks and presence...omg...so, I get i!!!!
Ben Orr is one of those few guys like say Otis Redding (regardless of style diff) who could communicate in short stoccato notes so many different nuances within one octave or so.
Same with Ric Ocasek.
It's rare when everyone in a band is a genius and totally compatible for the music. Well these guys were absolute geniuses. And none of them could have done it alone. Their first two albums were absolute flawless master pieces. Every song, not one note out of place, feeds you into the next, on both albums. They blew the lid off of old rock and ushered in the new rock in 1979 and 1980.
Not a miss on that first album
Supposedly Ric's wife (Paulina) provided financial assistance to the Cars only to be kicked to the curb.
I can't stop watching this. He's was just so beautiful, and talented with a captivating stage presence. More importantly, he was humble and grateful for his time with The Cars.
Interviewer: "Are you the sexy one, Ben?"
Ben: "Hell, no!"
How I wish he was with us longer! ❤
Benjamin Orr was the true heart of The Cars, he sang on the best songs, but the general public all seem to think it was Ric Ocasek on everything.
I did too back then...
I blame MTV. Ric sang in every video except for Drive, which I thought was just a one-off
I'm 63 and Just realized all my favorites are sung by Ben, who is so dang handsome!!
Back in the 70's and 80's, you had to buy a music magazine to see good pictures of bands. When MTV happened, I didn't have a TV.
I do love YT for all the footage I get to watch and all have yet to discover.
check out some of his solo stuff,,, incredible
I thought the same thing...that Ric sang all their songs. I stumbled across this video a few years ago here on YT and found out different. Lots of talent in The Cars!
The Cars sound so "mainstream" nowadays, but back when this song broke out it was like they dropped in from another planet.
*HOW IS HE SOOO HOT?!* 🥵
If they could have extracted Bens DNA and created more ❤
Yay! Another one from The Cars! You’re spoiling me! 😍
Hope you enjoy it!
They were so good. Benjamin Orr was gorgeous.
I loved this band so much! Ben Orr was such a beautiful human!!! RIP TO BEN AND RIC ❤
Benjamin Orzechowski September 8, 1947-October 3, 2000 Polish-American, Rock God! Thanks for the music! We miss you! Rest In Peace!
Ben's father and paternal grandfather were born in present day Ukraine. His mother, born Alzbeta Benova, was Carpatho-Rusyn and born in present day Kojšov, Slovakia.
@@stevenvondrakYup ethnic distribution completely changed post world war 2.
Even Ric Ocasek😢
@@stevenvondrak Thank you for this comment, first I've ever read that was correct about his ancestry. His mother's birth location was Hungary at the time, but border changed to Czechoslovakia 6 years before she emigrated. Many people from that town settled in the Cleveland area. Mother Hungarian, Father Russian by birth location. Religion was Russian Orthodox.
❤
Ben WAS the voice of the Cars.
The Cars were huge in the 80's. Forty years later, and they are still miles ahead of the garbage that's on the radio today.
Peak Benjamin Orr captured by the great Midnight Special 🎸 🔥
Ben Orr, was probably the most beautiful cat ever in Rock and Roll next to Elvis.
He looked like the male version of Deborah Harry!!!
seriously though!!!
oh that one too, Deborah Harry, gosh these people are immortal
stellar live performance and Benjamin was beautiful
Mr. Ben Orr has one of those faces that is absolutely Beautiful ❤
Elliot Easton was such a fantastic guitarist, his live solos were spot on to the studio recordings! Clean crisp and not a missed note! He was so underrated!
One of the most beautifully good lookin' rocker in history, besides his across-the-pond twin Roger Taylor of Queen.
Roger Taylor isn’t as pretty as Ben
Roger Taylor was cute, but Ben Orr was drop-dead gorgeous.
No autotune. No pitch correction. No flashy show with dancers. Just raw talent.
So good.
These guys were definitely ahead of their time. Bens cool base licks and vocals and Elliot’s precision guitar playing. Simply awesome !!!!
why don’t more people from my generation like the cars 😓
So many great memories from that show. Staying up, "sleepovers" with my best friend. I saw an interview of Ben, and he said he didn't really like doing vocals. I'm so glad he did. The songs they chose for him to sing were perfect because he sang them.
ben’s earring(s)? look so good on him! well, anything looks good on him 💜💜💜
OK, folks over 55, tell me if this song was on at least one of your mix tapes... Uh-huh, right? lol. The boys were good tight 5 piece. The Cars were like the bridge from the 70's to the 80's, because those two decades couldn't have been more different.
Oh my goodness Benjamin Orr you are one of a kind . You are a Beautiful man. R.i.p .
The fact that this was sung live is very impressive. Kudos to all involved!
Songs are always sung live.
Ridiculous compared to 2023. Sounds like the frikkin album. Sick band.
Have you ever been to a concert?
@@jumpinjojoTell that to Don Henley.
@@jumpinjojoOn most TV shows, the singing was not live, it was lip-synced. The Midnight Special was an exception.
Growing up, don’t think I ever appreciated what a unique sound Ben Orr had with his vocals - especially when he goes deep into his basement voice. I mean, he and the other singer sound British (kinda like Bowie) yet it’s an American band! And for some reason, I always thought of the Cars as a purely ‘80s band, didn’t remember “Just What I Needed” coming out as early as ‘78. I used to listen to Casey Kasem’s weekly Top 40 show religiously, his annual Top 100 show & often saw the Midnight Special. Maybe it took a few hit songs for the Cars to really get on my radar? There was so much great music back then, a lot of really great bands/tunes competing to stand out, but the Cars were really first-rate. Plus I was a kid and really took things for granted, there was so much great music - hard rock, pop, punk, funk, rhythm & blues, soul, the beginning of post-punk & New Wave alternative rock. I loved a lot of stuff but didn’t truly appreciate it as I do now!
Wow, thanks for your life story. How is your bowel movement? 🙄
Talented, perfectly rehearsed band, killer guitar solo and that singer has to be the most physically beautiful human being that’s ever lived.
Well put. They must have rehearsed their asses off because there are a lot of moving parts to that song! And yes, Benjamin Orr was gorgeous! 🔥 RIP, Ben and Ric
One of the GREATEST tunes ever.
Benjamin was supremely talented, Magical singing and vocals
RIP Benny 11 letters
Damn, Ben was sooo delicious looking!!!!
looking back now with perspective, I think the Cars I one of the under appreciated groups of all-time. Great songs, great vocalists , sad they are gone
The Cars were the sound track for every smokin adolescent girl that I'd have no clue what to do with, what a great band. I played the hell out of that first record when I was 10, 11, 12 years old and still absolutely love it today. Great stuff!
what made the cars so great was easton's masterful guitar playing, and those sweet, sweet melodic leads
EE was brilliant. He was like their unacknowledged secret weapon. Everybody fawned over Ben and Ric, but EE's parts and playing were absolutely *crucial* for this band. Brilliant.
@@MrkB-gt5tv Well said,
Man, that bass was solid
He could play about anything. Great guitarist.
Bass players have excellent rhythm 😉. Even better ones can sing lead too
One of the most underrated singers ever Benjamin Orr at least they finally got their due to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame unfortunately He wasn't there RIP Ben
It seems like the RRHOF wants to wait until people are dead before they induct them.😢 RRH of SHAME.😠
When he was singing was he thinking “Man, why am I such an underrated singer”
Gosh I can’t stand the word underrated, it’s way ‘Overrated’ in comments 💤 💤
Exactly what makes a singer underrated
@@johnurban7333- I’m not fond of the overused “underrated,” either. In terms of Benjamin Orr though, an element of under recognition, thus under appreciation, is there. Even amongst fans of The Cars it’s largely unknown how many of their songs have Benjamin’s lead vocals. He seems too obscure relative to all of his talent. I don’t know as underrated is the word for it, but something seems wrong.
Ben making straight guys question.
And RIGHTLY so...
One of the most perfect pop records ever made.
In 1978, I was at the Aragon Ballroom in Chicago, waiting for Elvis Costello and the Attractions to come on. This single had recently been released and came on over the PA. The audience, already familiar with it, went up for grabs. Brilliant.