Greg Hawkes

American musician

Written by

The Information Architects of Encyclopaedia Britannica

Last updated

July 22, 2026

Quick Summary

Greg Hawkes is an American musician, best known as the keyboardist for the iconic new wave band The Cars. Born on October 22, 1952, Hawkes was a founding member of The Cars, which formed in Boston, Massachusetts, in 1976. His distinctive synthesizer work was a key element in the band's signature sound, contributing to hits like "Just What I Needed," "Let's Go," and "Drive." The Cars achieved significant commercial success throughout the late 1970s and 1980s, becoming one of the defining acts of the new wave movement. After The Cars disbanded, Hawkes collaborated with other musicians, including a stint with The New Cars alongside guitarist Elliot Easton. He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame with The Cars in 2018.1

Summary created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.

2 Britannica Sources

Ask Britannica AI about this topic

Britannica doesn't have a full article on this topic, so we've curated a list of our relevant coverage.

the Cars
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.
Read More
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.
Read More