Let's Go!: Benjamin Orr and The Cars

by Joe Milliken

Overview

Benjamin Orr was the co-founder, co-lead singer, and bassist for the platinum-selling rock band The Cars. This first biography of Orr draws together interviews with over 120 of his family members, friends, and music associates, as well as many never-before-seen photos, to reveal an intimate portrait of one of classic rock’s greatest talents.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781538118658
Publisher:	Rowman & Littlefield Publishers, Inc.
Publication date:	11/15/2018
Pages:	248
Sales rank:	687,143
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 9.00(h) x 0.80(d)

About the Author

Joe Milliken has been a music journalist, editor, and website publisher for 20 years. A life-long rock music fan with a degree in visual arts, Joe would turn to writing as his creative outlet, starting as a local reporter, then a Sports/Arts & Entertainment editor, while also freelancing for various national publications. In 2014, he launched Standing Room Only, a website dedicated to promoting music, the arts and specialty food on both a local (Boston, New England) and national level. Originally from Boston, he now resides in southern Vermont with his family. Let’s Go is his first book.

Table of Contents

Foreword vii

Timeline of Bands xi

About the Book xiii

Prologue-Full Circle Cars vii

1 The Early Years 1

2 Moving Forward 21

3 Changing Directions 29

4 Connecting Cars 41

5 False Start 47

6 Richard and The Rabbits 57

7 Cap'n Swing 65

8 Creating Cars 75

9 Revving the Engine 85

10 The Cars 95

11 Candy-O 107

12 Panorama 115

13 Shake It Up 123

14 Solo Cars and Heartbeat City 131

15 The Lace 141

16 Door to Door 147

17 River of Fire 155

18 Traveling Solo 163

19 Big People 177

20 Cars' Last Drive 189

21 Move Like This 197

Afterword 201

Acknowledgments 205

Bibliography 207

Interviews 211

Selected Index 215

About the Author 227

Editorial Reviews

This book is a roller-coaster ride through the 60s and 70s with the movers and shakers of the Cleveland music scene, where Ben Orr grew up! 

Walt Masky

My adventures with Ben before, during and after The Cars and pop stardom, were always marked with mischief and an effortless connection. He was a delightful, generous, magnetic and down-to-earth guy, with one of the greatest voices I’ve ever heard. I’m so glad Joe Milliken is telling Ben’s story.

Fuzzbee Morse

Milliken lifts the veil on the ice-cool demeanor of Ben Orr, the languid rocking voice at the center of The Cars' classic pop-rock sound, uncovering details behind his musical journey. I'm very glad that such an informative and insightful book has finally been written about Ben since his contribution to classic rock music is vast and cannot be ignored.

Pat Travers

To know Ben was an honor and a pleasure. He could go from ‘rock god’ to ‘bro’ in seconds, ready to go hang with the boys, but usually be a magnet for the girls. There was no pretense, just talent and good nature. Hats off to Joe Milliken for making sure his story is remembered.

Bill Gerber

If rock star genetics truly exist, Benjamin Orr was certainly born with the gene. His persona and his talent came naturally, without trying to play the role. His generosity and love are a big part of his legacy and that comes through beautifully in Milliken’s book.

Jeff Carlisi

I find it fitting that my talented friend Joe would write a book about another friend, Benjamin Orr. Ben was a fantastic singer and musician, and a gifted writer - another thing Ben had in common with Joe!

Charlie Farren