Quick . . ., can you name the vocalist who sang seven of The Cars' biggest hits? If you named Rick Ocasek, like many people may commonly think, you are wrong! One of the biggest secrets of The Cars' sound is Benjamin Orr, "the voice" behind their biggest hits . . . the other lead vocalist.

     Orr (shortened from Orzechowski) is a native Ohioan, born in Lakewood to Russian and Czechoslovakian parents. He was raised in Cleveland where he dropped out of high school, but started an early career in music as a member of a band called the Grasshoppers. A fan of Elvis Presley, Orr loved performing since early childhood and went from singing for his parents' friends to being a local teen idol. His parents had both been singers themselves, and they supported their son's interest in music.

     "I had total support from my parents, even when I was doing the pots-and-pans routine. I never got a 'Don't-do-that', especially when I got involved with music," he said. "They gave me the most encouragement that anybody could possibly get. They got down on teachers who would grab my hair in the hallways because it was too long." As an amateur musician, Orr also learned to play several instruments, including the keyboard, drums, bass, and, (of course) the guitar. Orr's natural talent as a performer and guitarist made him the perfect addition to The Cars, a band formed by Ocasek in Boston in 1976.

     The Cars became one of the most popular rock bands in America between 1978 and 1985 scoring one gold, three platinum, and three multi-platinum albums. The quintet consisted of Orr, Ocasek (guitar and vocals), Greg Hawkes (keyboards), Elliot Easton (guitar) and David Robinson (drums). Their 1978 debut album, "The Cars," which featured disembodied vocals by Ocasek and Orr, was an immediate success, spawning the singles "Just What I Needed" and "My Best Friend's Girl". Ben Orr sang the lead vocal on "Just What I Needed".

     After turning out platinum albums in 1979 ("Candy-O"), 1980 ("Panorama") and 1981 ("Shake It Up"), the group members took a breather for solo albums before returning in 1984 for their biggest album yet, "Heartbreat City," featuring the hits "You Might Think," "Magic," and "Drive." "Drive," another Ben Orr lead vocal, was the band's biggest commercial hit rising to Number Three on the Pop charts. The band went their separate ways in 1987 to pursue individual solo careers.

     With his wonderful voice, unique performing style, a batch of amazing new songs, and a brilliant group of musicians, Orr tours with his new bands, ORR and Big People. Each play's all the great CARS and solo hits that fans would expect, plus some hot new material co-written with Boston-area guitar legend and band leader John Kalishes. The new material has all the rock/pop power that the CARS were known for, but with a decidedly contemporary feel.

   BEN ORR'S' HITS:

• "Just What I Needed"
  
• "Candy-O",
  
• "Bye Bye Love"
  
• "Drive"
  
• "Let's Go",
  
• "Movin"
  
• "In Stereo"
  
• "Stay The Night"
  
• "Too Hot To Stop"
  
• "Spinning"

BEN ORR DISCOGRAPHY