Ric Ocasek, Lead Singer of The Cars, Dead at 75
The world of rock and roll lost another legend on Sunday, as The Cars lead singer Ric Ocasek died in New York City, ET can confirm. He was 75.
A NYPD spokesperson tells ET that Ocasek died Sunday afternoon at his Manhattan town home. The spokesperson added that Ocasek was found unconscious and unresponsive by his wife, Paulina Porizkova, around 4 p.m. ET. The New York Medical Examiner’s Office found the cause of death to be hypertensive and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease.
A native of Baltimore, Maryland, Ocasek was a founding member of The Cars -- a New Wave band known for hits such as "Drive" and "Just What I Needed" -- and played rhythm guitar and keyboard in addition to his iconic vocals. He and the band were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2018.
Ocasek was married three times, and was still married to Porizkova at the time of his death, though the model announced in May 2018 that the pair had separated a year earlier. He was a father to six sons -- Christopher, Adam, Eron, Derek, Jonathan and Oliver -- two from each of his marriages.
Porizkova shared a statement to The Cars Instagram page on Monday, detailing her late husband's passing.
"Ric was at home recuperating very well after surgery. Our two songs, Jonathan and Oliver, and I were making sure he was comfortable, ordering food and watching TV together," she wrote. "I found him still asleep when bringin him his Sunday morning coffee. I touched his cheek to rouse him. It was then I realized that during the night he had peacefully passed on."
"We appreciate the great outpouring of love. We, his family and friends, are completely and utterly devastated by his untimely and unexpected death and would appreciate the privacy to mourn in private."
A post shared by The Cars (@thecars) on Sep 16, 2019 at 11:25am PDT
Ocasek's youngest sons also shared a memory of their last day with their father. "Our dad was a prolific doodler. His passing was sudden, unexpected, and beyond heartbreaking. Yesterday, we found this last doodle on his armchair," they posted, sharing a photo of the sketches and scribbles, which read in part, "Keep on laughin'. It is what it is." "He couldn’t have known what it would end up meaning to us. We love him so much."
A post shared by The Cars (@thecars) on Sep 16, 2019 at 11:40am PDT
News of Ocasek's death sparked social media tributes from friends, fans and fellow celebs.
"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," wrote The Office star Rainn Wilson. "God Speed, Ric! Keep Moving in Stereo!"
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
"Farewell, Ric Ocasek, architect of a whole sound," tweeted BandCamp senior editor Jes Skolnik. "Perfect hooks forever."
Farewell, Ric Ocasek, architect of a whole sound. Perfect hooks forever.
— jes skolnik (@modernistwitch) September 16, 2019
See more tributes to the singer below:
RIP #RicOcasek Cars were the first band I saw that qualified as new wave -- their synths and leathers were too pricey for pure punk. Long gone, of course, and now Ric too, a sweet guy. Suicide was one of several outside bands he produced: https://t.co/9Xlu2kQFRR
— Kurt Loder (@kurt_loder) September 16, 2019
“You kept it going 'till the sun fell down/
You kept it going.” #RIP Ric Ocasek.— S.E. Cupp (@secupp) September 16, 2019
RIP Ric Ocasek. Huge Cars fan, saw them a buncha times live, met Ric a few times and he was super sweet guy. pic.twitter.com/qhowS9vIoY
— Matt Oswalt (@MattOswaltVA) September 16, 2019
Ric Ocasek was the coolest. Even if your favorite Cars song was sung by Benjamin Orr (Just What I Needed, Drive, etc) it was written by Ric. https://t.co/ydp6OHDcrb
— Eliza Skinner (@elizaskinner) September 16, 2019
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