New wave dynamos The Cars influenced a huge array of rock bands with their punchy, new-wave power-pop, mainly reminding them not to forget to plant a big melodious chorus in the middle of their songs. The band’s leader and chief songwriter Ric Ocasek died five years ago this weekend and proof of his significant legacy could be found in the vast array of tributes that poured in after his death, with Weezer, Jason Isbell, Courtney Love, Alice Cooper, The Killers and many more offering up their remembrances of the great man.
Billy Corgan also posted a lengthy tribute to The Cars leader, having been both inspired by Ocasek’s music and then collaborated with him as co-producer on The Cars man’s 1997 solo album Troublizing.
