Ric Ocasek: The Mysterious Maestro Behind The Cars [Episode 319] episode artwork

EPISODE · Sep 19, 2025 · 1H 13M

Ric Ocasek: The Mysterious Maestro Behind The Cars [Episode 319]

from Booked On Rock · host Eric Senich

Author Peter Aaron peels back the layers of the late, great Ric Ocasek's life and career. You'll hear how his meeting with bassist/vocalist Benjamin Orr would lead to the formation of The Cars, the band which rose to fame with several hit singles in the 80s before breaking up in 1988. What caused the band to break up? Did Ric and Ben ever speak again before Ben's tragic passing in 2000? What led to the 2011 Cars' reunion? Plus, after Ric's passing in 2019, his life still remains a mystery, even to those who knew him. Aaron talks about it all in this compelling episode.Some episode comment clarifications from Peter: Correct spelling of Ric's real last name is Otcasek; Ric was 34 when the band first hit; it was manager Elliot Roberts who first played video maker Timothy Hutton the tape of "Drive." (All of that is as per the book.) Also, Ric's second wife's name is Suzanne.Purchase a copy of Moving in Stereo: Ric Ocasek, the Driving Force of The CarsFollow Peter Aaron on Facebook---------- BookedOnRock.com The Booked On Rock Store The Booked On Rock YouTube Channel Follow The Booked On Rock with Eric Senich:BLUESKYFACEBOOKINSTAGRAMTIKTOKX Find Your Nearest Independent Bookstore Contact The Booked On Rock Podcast: [email protected] The Booked On Rock Music: “Whoosh” by Crowander / “Last Train North” & “No Mercy” by TrackTribe

Author Peter Aaron peels back the layers of the late, great Ric Ocasek's life and career. You'll hear how his meeting with bassist/vocalist Benjamin Orr would lead to the formation of The Cars, the band which rose to fame with several hit singles in the 80s before breaking up in 1988. What caused the band to break up? Did Ric and Ben ever speak again before Ben's tragic passing in 2000? What led to the 2011 Cars' reunion? Plus, after Ric's passing in 2019, his life still remains a mystery, even to those who knew him. Aaron talks about it all in this compelling episode.Some episode comment clarifications from Peter: Correct spelling of Ric's real last name is Otcasek; Ric was 34 when the band first hit; it was manager Elliot Roberts who first played video maker Timothy Hutton the tape of "Drive." (All of that is as per the book.) Also, Ric's second wife's name is Suzanne.Purchase a copy of Moving in Stereo: Ric Ocasek, the Driving Force of The CarsFollow Peter Aaron on Facebook---------- BookedOnRock.com The Booked On Rock Store The Booked On Rock YouTube Channel Follow The Booked On Rock with Eric Senich:BLUESKYFACEBOOKINSTAGRAMTIKTOKX Find Your Nearest Independent Bookstore Contact The Booked On Rock Podcast: [email protected] The Booked On Rock Music: “Whoosh” by Crowander / “Last Train North” & “No Mercy” by TrackTribe

NOW PLAYING

Ric Ocasek: The Mysterious Maestro Behind The Cars [Episode 319]

0:00 1:13:27

No transcript for this episode yet

We transcribe on demand. Request one and we'll notify you when it's ready — usually under 10 minutes.

Big Old Life: Heather Blackbird interviews people on planet earth. Heather Blackbird loves asking questions. This podcast is a learning experience. Join me, Heather Blackbird, as I talk to people about their lives. Frequency of new episodes is a little all over the place and I'm learning as I go. Big Old Life is a small way of talking about the vastness of life, one person at a time. If you are reading this or found this podcast it's probably because someone you know gave you a link to it. :) Explicit Tales Of A Superstar DJ The Insomniac Spun seemingly out of nowhere from her complacent life in the corporate world, turned seemingly overnight from 16-Hour shift work and into the life of a literally starving artist and working musician, The Protagonist navigates her supposed rise to fame and superstardom on a journey through spiritual awakening, coming-of-age, and intimate self-realization--guided by an omnipresent force and equipped with the power of love, magic, and music. {Enter The Multiverse.} [The Festival Project] The Festival Project, Inc.™ is a multidimensional multimedia platform which encompasses exploratory and artistic social personifications and expressions on cosmic theory, spirituality, growth, health & wellness, philosophy and theoretic dynamics in entertainment such as music, design, film, television, radio, dance and festival culture, art, fashion, literature, and science. The Festival Project™ and its subsidiary Non-Profit, The Collective Complex © aims to challenge modern artistic and philosop Explicit Bitcoin Is Dead Trey Carson Welcome to Bitcoin is Dead, the ultimate Bitcoin variety show where host Trey takes you on a journey through the ever-evolving world of Bitcoin. Each episode brings new personalities, fascinating locations, and insightful conversations with politicians, educators, and innovators shaping the future of Bitcoin. Whether you're a seasoned Bitcoiner or just starting your journey, tune in for thought-provoking discussions, unique perspectives, and a deep dive into the ideas and people driving the Bitcoin revolution. Explicit The Sacred +Profane Podcast nephtaragrace The Sacred + Profane Podcast is a provocative conversation dedicated to cementing a better future for all. We specialize in unpacking the nuances of what is considered sacred and profane, particularly focusing on sex, death, and all that pertains to the circle of life. Our aim in focusing on such ”taboo” subject matter is to demystify what is unconscious, bring to light what has been known for centuries as ”the occult,” and empower the rapid transformation that is occurring on the Planet. Explicit

Frequently Asked Questions

How long is this episode of Booked On Rock?

This episode is 1 hour and 13 minutes long.

When was this Booked On Rock episode published?

This episode was published on September 19, 2025.

What is this episode about?

Author Peter Aaron peels back the layers of the late, great Ric Ocasek's life and career. You'll hear how his meeting with bassist/vocalist Benjamin Orr would lead to the formation of The Cars, the band which rose to fame with several hit singles in...

Is there a transcript available for this episode?

Yes, a full transcript is available for this episode. You can read the complete transcript on the episode page.

Can I download this Booked On Rock episode?

Yes, you can download this episode by clicking the download button on the episode player, or subscribe to the podcast in your preferred podcast app for automatic downloads.
URL copied to clipboard!