Love, Love, Love

Friday night

The Cars decided to re-form, but they looked as they did 20 years ago. They were performing their new single in a TV studio, and the band was set up on three risers. Ric Ocasek was driving the rhythm with his guitar at the lower left, while the drummer, David Robinson, was sitting at the top level. Not only did he have his normal drum kit, but he also had several other cymbals on stands set up to his left. Bass player and lead singer Ben Orr was standing on the top level as the song began, and dramatically hit several of the cymbals with a drum stick as he made his way down to the lower stage level. At the same time, lead guitarist Elliot Easton walked in from the lower left and picked up his guitar, which had been lying against an amp. They continued the intro, coalescing into a tight groove, and seemed to be singing the word "Love" over and over.

*****

I certainly loved the Cars, a band which existed between 1978 and 1987. My favorite member was probably Ben Orr. He had a great voice, and sang their hits "Just What I Needed,""Let's Go" and "Drive," among many other memorable tracks. Unfortunately, he died of pancreatic cancer at his home in Atlanta on 10/3/2000. He was 53.