• Ric Ocasek, born Richard Theodore Otcasek on March 23, 1944, in Baltimore, Maryland, was an American singer, songwriter, musician, record producer, and painter. He gained fame as the lead vocalist and main guitarist of the renowned band, “the Cars.”

Career and Legacy of Ric Ocasek

  • Ric Ocasek, along with Greg Hawkes, David Robinson, Benjamin Orr, and Elliot Easton, formed the band “the Cars” in the late 1970s. Ocasek played a vital role as the band’s songwriter and lead guitarist.
  • The Cars released their self-titled debut album in 1978, which spent 139 weeks on the Billboard 200 album chart. They were recognized as the “Best New Artist” in the Rolling Stone Readers’ Poll that same year.
  • Ocasek’s musical journey extended beyond the Cars. In 1982, he embarked on a solo career with his debut album, “Beatitude.” The Cars’ most commercially successful album, “Heartbeat City” (1984), featured the award-winning song “You Might Think,” which won the “Video of the Year” at the inaugural MTV Video Music Awards.
  • Ric Ocasek’s discography includes several albums with the Cars and solo projects, such as “Shake It Up,” “Door to Door,” “Candy-O,” and “Beatitude,” among others.
  • Ric Ocasek’s contribution to the music industry earned him a net worth of approximately $25 million as of 2019.

Personal Life and Relationships

  • Ric Ocasek’s personal life involved multiple marriages and relationships. He first married Constance, but details about their marriage remain undisclosed. Together, they had two sons, Christopher and Adam Ocasek.
  • Ocasek then married Suzanne Ocasek in 1971, and they had two sons, Eron and Derek Otcasek. However, their relationship ended in divorce in 1988.
  • Ric Ocasek’s most notable relationship was with model Paulina Porizkova. They tied the knot on August 23, 1989, and had two sons, Jonathan Raven and Oliver Otcasek. However, they separated in 2017 and announced their split in May 2018.

Wiki and Personal Information

  • Full Name: Richard Theodore Otcasek
  • Professional Name: Ric Ocasek
  • Profession: Singer, Songwriter, Musician, Record Producer, and Painter
  • Age: 75 years old (as of 2019)
  • Date of Birth: March 23, 1944
  • Date of Death: September 15, 2019
  • Birthplace: Baltimore, Maryland, USA
  • Nationality: American
  • Ethnicity: White Caucasian Descent
  • Religion: Christianity
  • Sun Sign: Aries
  • House: New York City, New York, USA

Physical Characteristics

  • Height: 6 feet 4 inches (193 cm)
  • Weight: 185 pounds (84 kg)
  • Body Measurements: 43-32-36 inches
  • Eye Color: Blue
  • Hair Color: Grey-white

Family and Education

  • Information about Ric Ocasek’s parents and siblings remains unknown.
  • Ric Ocasek attended Maple Heights High School and later enrolled at Antioch College and Bowling Green State University. However, he dropped out of college to pursue his music career.

Discography and Musical Contributions

Albums with “the Cars” band:

  • The Cars (1978)
  • Shake It Up
  • Heartbeat City
  • Door to Door
  • Candy-O
  • Panorama
  • Move Like This

Solo Projects:

  • Beatitude (1982)
  • Negative Theater
  • Troublizing
  • This Side of Paradise
  • Fireball Zone
  • Quick Change World
  • Nexterday

Legacy and Lesser Known Facts

  • Ric Ocasek’s impact as a musician spans decades, and he was recognized for his contributions when he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a member of the Cars in 2018.
  • Apart from music, Ocasek showcased his artistic talents as a painter, with his paintings exhibited at galleries such as Wentworth Galleries in Tysons Corner, Virginia.
  • Ric Ocasek authored a book of poetry titled “Negative Theatre” in 1993, reflecting his creative versatility and artistic expression.

Ric Ocasek’s enduring legacy in the music industry and his remarkable artistic abilities will always be remembered. His contributions as a singer, songwriter, musician, record producer, and painter have left an indelible mark. Ric’s unique talent and musical journey will continue to inspire generations to come.

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