Benjamin Orr

American musician

Also known as: Benjamin Orzechowski

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July 22, 2026

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Benjamin Orr was an American musician, born September 8, 1947, in Cleveland, Ohio. He was the vocalist and bassist for the iconic new wave band The Cars. Orr, along with guitarist Ric Ocasek, was instrumental in forming the band in Boston, Massachusetts, in 1976.

The Cars achieved significant success with their blend of power pop, glam rock, and new wave music. Orr shared lead vocal duties with Ocasek, contributing to hit songs like "Just What I Needed" and "Drive." The band released several successful albums, including The Cars (1978) and Candy-O (1979), solidifying their place in rock history. Benjamin Orr passed away on October 3, 2000.1

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the Cars
…Ric Ocasek, vocalist and bassist Benjamin Orr, guitarist Elliot Easton, keyboardist Greg Hawkes, and drummer David Robinson. The band’s steady stream of albums from 1978 to 1987 cemented them as one of the major pillars of the new wave rock movement from the late 1970s through the late 1980s.
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…Ric Ocasek, vocalist and bassist Benjamin Orr, guitarist Elliot Easton, keyboardist Greg Hawkes, and drummer David Robinson. The band’s steady stream of albums from 1978 to 1987 cemented them as one of the major pillars of the new wave rock movement from the late 1970s through the late 1980s.
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