Tuesday, March 19, 2024, 10pm ET: Feature LP: The Cars – Heartbeat City (1984)

Heartbeat City is the fifth studio album by American rock band the Cars, released on March 13, 1984, by Elektra Records. The band produced the album with Robert John “Mutt” Lange.

This marks the band’s first album not produced by long-time producer Roy Thomas Baker. It also represented a return to the success of the band’s self-titled debut album, with critic Robert Christgau noting that “the glossy approach the Cars invented has made this the best year for pure pop in damn near twenty years, and it’s only fair that they should return so confidently to form.” Numerous tracks from the album received airplay on modern rock and AOR stations, with the singles “Drive” and “You Might Think” reaching the top 10 of the Billboard Hot 100, while the album peaked at number three on the Billboard 200.

1. “Hello Again” 3:47
2. “Looking for Love” 3:52
3. “Magic” 3:57
4. “Drive” 3:55
5. “Stranger Eyes” 4:26
6. “You Might Think” 3:04
7. “It’s Not the Night” 3:49
8. “Why Can’t I Have You” 4:04
9. “I Refuse” 3:16
10. “Heartbeat City” 4:31
11. “Hello Again” (remix) 5:57
12. “Breakaway” 3:47
13. “Tonight She Comes” 3:58
14. “Magic” [Edge Remix]

Ric Ocasek – vocals, guitar
Ben Orr – vocals, bass
Elliot Easton – guitar, vocals
Greg Hawkes – keyboards, vocals, Fairlight CMI programming
David Robinson – drums, Fairlight programming

Monday, March 11, 2024, 7pm ET: Feature LP: Cars – Candy-O (1979)

Candy-O is the second studio album by the American rock band the Cars. It was released in 1979 on Elektra Records. Featuring the Top 20 hit “Let’s Go” and the minor hit “It’s All I Can Do”, the album charted 15 places higher than its predecessor on the US Billboard 200 at number three as their debut peaked at number eighteen. The album features cover art by pin-up artist Alberto Vargas.

1. “Let’s Go”  3:33
2. “Since I Held You” 3:16
3. “It’s All I Can Do” 3:44
4. “Double Life” 4:14
5. “Shoo Be Doo” 1:36
6. “Candy-O” 2:36
7. “Night Spots” 3:15
8. “You Can’t Hold on Too Long” 2:46
9. “Lust for Kicks” 3:52
10. “Got a Lot on My Head” 2:59
11. “Dangerous Type” 4:28
12. “Let’s Go” (monitor mix) 3:33
13. “Candy-O” (Northern Studios version) 2:35
14. “Night Spots” (Northern Studios version) 3:43
15. “Lust for Kicks” (monitor mix) 4:25
16. “Dangerous Type” (Northern Studios version) 3:26
17. “They Won’t See You” (Northern Studios version) 3:49
18. “That’s It” (B-side of “Let’s Go”) 3:23

Friday, November 24, 2023 4pm ET: Feature LP: Cars – Shake It Up (1981)

Shake It Up is the fourth studio album by American rock band the Cars, released on November 6, 1981, by Elektra Records. It was the last Cars record to be produced by Roy Thomas Baker. A much more pop-oriented album than its predecessor, its title track became the band’s first Billboard top-10 single. Spin magazine included it on their “50 Best Albums of 1981” list. In 2021, Rhino Entertainment re-released the album on neon green vinyl.

1. “Since You’re Gone” 3:30
2. “Shake It Up” 3:32
3. “I’m Not the One” 4:12
4. “Victim of Love” 4:24
5. “Cruiser” 4:54
6. “A Dream Away” 5:44
7. “This Could Be Love” 4:26
8. “Think It Over” 4:56
9. “Maybe Baby” 5:04

Ric Ocasek – rhythm guitar, lead vocals (1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 9)
Elliot Easton – lead guitar, backing vocals
Benjamin Orr – bass guitar, lead vocals (5, 7, 8)
David Robinson – drums, percussion
Greg Hawkes – keyboards, backing vocals

Monday, May 29, 2023 9pm ET: Feature LP: Cars – Door to Door (1987)

Door to Door is the sixth studio album by American rock band the Cars, released on August 25, 1987, by Elektra Records. The album was produced by frontman Ric Ocasek, with additional production by keyboardist Greg Hawkes. Three singles were released from the album, though only “You Are the Girl” reached the top 40 of the Billboard Hot 100, peaking at number 17. Door to Door became the Cars’ lowest-charting studio album, peaking at number 26 on the Billboard 200, and within a year of its release the band would break up.

1. “Leave or Stay” 2:55
2. “You Are the Girl” 3:52
3. “Double Trouble” 4:14
4. “Fine Line” 5:22
5. “Everything You Say” 4:52
6. “Ta Ta Wayo Wayo” 2:52
7. “Strap Me In” 4:22
8. “Coming Up You” 4:18
9. “Wound Up on You” 5:02
10. “Go Away” 4:38
11. “Door to Door” 3:17

Ric Ocasek – vocals, guitar
Greg Hawkes – vocals, keyboards
Benjamin Orr – vocals, bass guitar
Elliot Easton – vocals, guitar
David Robinson – vocals, drums

Wednesday 9/14/22 10pm ET: Feature LP: The Cars – Panorama (1980)

Panorama is the third studio album by American new wave band the Cars, released in 1980. Like its predecessors, it was produced by Roy Thomas Baker and released on Elektra Records. Though it lacked any enduring hit singles, it peaked at #5 on the US Billboard 200 album chart and has been certified platinum by the RIAA.

1. “Panorama” 5:42
2. “Touch and Go” 4:55
3. “Gimme Some Slack” 3:32
4. “Don’t Tell Me No” 4:00
5. “Getting Through” 2:35
6. “Misfit Kid” 4:30
7. “Down Boys” 3:08
8. “You Wear Those Eyes” 4:55
9. “Running to You” 3:22
10. “Up and Down” 3:30

Ric Ocasek – rhythm guitar, lead vocals
Elliot Easton – lead guitar, backing vocals
Greg Hawkes – keyboards, saxophone, backing vocals
Benjamin Orr – bass guitar, lead vocals
David Robinson – drums, percussion

Thursday 1/27/22 11pm ET: Feature LP: The Cars: Moving In Stereo: The Best of The Cars (2016)

MOVING IN STEREO: THE BEST OF THE CARS is a collection produced by the band, with all surviving members contributing to song selection. Released May 6, 2016. Ric Ocasek also supervised digital remastering of all the audio with Ted Jensen at Sterling Sound.The collection features the band’s big hits along with a rare, single mix for “I’m Not The One,” as well as a live version of “Everything You Say,” and a new mix by producer Philippe Zdar of “Sad Song,” a track from the band’s last album, 2011’s Move Like This.

1 Just What I Needed 3.43
2 Since You’re Gone 3.30
3 Let’s Go 3.32
4 You Might Think 3.04
5 Shake It Up 3.32
1 Drive 3.55
2 Tonight She Comes 3.52
3 My Best Friend’s Girl 3.44
4 Don’t Tell Me No 4.00
5 You’re All I’ve Got Tonight 4.13
1 I’m Not The One (Single Mix) 4.12
2 Candy-O 2.37
3 Heartbeat City 4.30
4 Touch and Go 4.55
1 Moving In Stereo 4.40
2 Dangerous Type 4.30
3 Sad Song (Zdar Mix) 3.38
4 Everything You Say (Live) 5.17

Friday 1/7/22 3pm ET: RadioMaxMusic Special: The Music of 1981 (by title) A to Z – Part 4

This RadioMax special features our Library of music from 1981 A2Z.

We continue with letter D. We feature music from: Frankie Smith, Men At Work, Robbie Paton, Phil Collins, Bill Squier, Little River Band, Replacements, Cars, Steve Winwood, Depeche Mode, Kim Carnes, Humble Pie and many more. . .

3pm to 6pm ET

Tuesday 12/28/21 8pm ET: RadioMaxMusic Special: The Music of 1980 A to Z – Part 23

This RadioMax special features our Library of music from 1980 A2Z.

We are moving into the final segments of 1980 music. This installment features music from Diana Ross, AC/DC, Pat Benatar, Gatlin Brothers, Blondie, Donna Summer, Def Leppard, Black Sabbath, Squeeze, Cars, Harry Chapin, Donna Fargo, Police and much more.

8pm – 12am ET

Monday 12/7/2020 1pm ET: Across The Tracks with Ron Kovacs

This edition of  Across The Tracks feature tune about Cars!  

Tuesday 12am ET: Feature LP: Cars – Complete Greatest Hits (2002)

Complete Greatest Hits is a compilation album by the new wave band The Cars, released in 2002 by Elektra Records and Rhino Records, and contains 20 singles in chronological order of their original release.

1. “Just What I Needed” 3:43
2. “My Best Friend’s Girl” 3:44
3. “Good Times Roll” 3:44
4. “You’re All I’ve Got Tonight” 4:13
5. “Bye Bye Love” 4:14
6. “Moving in Stereo” 3:54
7. “Let’s Go” , 3:33
8. “It’s All I Can Do” 3:44
9. “Dangerous Type” 4:28
10. “Touch and Go” 4:55
11. “Shake It Up” 3:32
12. “Since You’re Gone” 3:30
13. “I’m Not the One” 4:12
14. “You Might Think” 3:04
15. “Drive” 3:55
16. “Magic” 3:57
17. “Hello Again” 3:47
18. “Why Can’t I Have You” 4:04
19. “Tonight She Comes” 3:52
20. “You Are the Girl” 3:52

In Memoriam: Ric Ocasek (1944 – 2019)

Richard Theodore Otcasek (March 23, 1944 – September 15, 2019), known as Ric Ocasek, was an American singer, songwriter, musician and record producer. He was best known as the lead vocalist, rhythm guitarist and songwriter for the rock band the Cars. In 2018, Ocasek was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a member of the Cars. Ocasek died Sunday in New York at age 75.

Police said they received a call around 4 p.m. for an unconscious male at a townhouse on East 19th Street. He was pronounced dead at the scene. Law enforcement sources confirmed the deceased was Ocasek.

Ocasek and his band were inducted into the Rock Hall in 2018. The institution described the band as “hook-savvy with the perfect combo of new wave and classic rock.”

The band had 13 top-40 singles, including radio staples like “Good Times Roll” and “Just What I Needed,” and Ocasek went on to a successful producing career after The Cars broke up in the late 1980s.

He was also known for his long-running marriage to the Czech supermodel Paulina Porizkova. She announced their separation in 2018 after 28 years of marriage.

They listed the 19th Street residence for sale earlier this year for more than $15 million.

Ocasek was married three times. He married early in life, but divorced and was married to his second wife, Suzanne Ocasek, in 1971. Ocasek was still married to Suzanne when he met 18-year-old model Paulina Porizkova during filming of the music video for the Cars’ song “Drive” in 1984. Ocasek and Porizkova were married on August 23, 1989. The couple had two sons, Jonathan Raven Otcasek (b. November 4, 1993), and Oliver Otcasek (b. 1999).

Ocasek had six sons, two from each of his three marriages. His eldest son, Christopher (born 1964), was a singer who formed the rock group Glamour Camp which released one album in 1989. Adam was born in 1970. Eron was born in 1973 and Derek was born in 1981.

He and co-founder of the Cars Benjamin Orr were close friends who became estranged when the band broke up. Their friendship was commemorated in the song “Silver”, which Ocasek wrote as a dedication to Orr upon his death in 2000.

Tuesday 2pm: Sounds of The 80’s

This week on the Sounds of The 80’s, Edie Brickell, Cars, Robert Palmer, America, Julian Lennon, Dave Edmunds, Hall & Oates, Whispers, Jacksons, AC/DC and more. . . 

Tuesday 2pm: Sounds of The 80’s

This week – music from, Men At Work, Duran Duran, Queen, Bette Midler, Cars, Tina Turner, Garth Brooks, Judds, Def Leppard and many many more . . . 

Sunday 12am: The Rock Show

This week on the Rock Show – Ratt, Bachman Turner Overdrive, Electric Light Orchestra, Journey, Deep Purple, Pink Floyd, Cars, Pearl Jam, Judas Priest, Vixen, Doobie Brothers, Marshall Tucker Band and more . . .