The Cars signed a record deal with Elektra in 1977 as a result of a local Boston radio station’s incessant playing of a “Just What I Needed” demo. By 1982, The Cars were still going strong, but Ric Ocasek seemed to be heading in a more behind-the-scenes direction.

Recorded in Syncro Sound, a studio The Cars purchased in 1981, this interview contains a great deal of evidence suggesting that The Cars would eventually break up and that Ric would start to focus on producing. Besides the more obvious snippets about his role as the leader of the group and the resulting tension within the band, there are also stories about his dislike for the limelight and his love of electronics. What is perhaps most noticeable during this great sampling of information about his childhood, personal life, and success, is that Ric is a truly unique personality.

Part 1 00:00 – Plans for shorter tours / sympathy for those that throw TVs out of hotel windows 02:26 – Performing without being into it / being considered aloof 03:58 – Why he lives in Boston / recollections of living in Manhattan 05:59 – The club scene in Boston, other bands that have come through 06:53 – The state of radio (as per Lisa) 09:16 – The state of radio (as per Ric) / a call for local radio support 11:32 – Radio stations that do play local bands’ music 12:28 – Attitudes of record companies towards taking chances 13:44 – In praise of Iggy Pop 14:10 – Potential for working with Iggy / working with Romeo Void 15:17 – Finding the time for different projects / prioritizing 16:45 – The band’s reaction to Ric’s plans for a solo album 17:45 – Translating songs from Ric’s head into Cars songs / in-band tensions 21:23 – Not saving any songs for the solo album 22:12 – Differences between the solo album and a Cars album 23:42 – Plans for personnel on the solo record 24:11 – Not a benevolent dictator / why he doesn’t do all the lead vocals 25:28 – Sounding like Bryan Ferry 26:45 – Not being able to distinguish between Ric and Benjamin Orr’s voices 28:20 – Sticking with the gut instinct lyrics 29:38 – Lyrics written in their own language / accepting that you don’t understand lyrics 31:38 – Reason for printing mysterious lyrics on the albums 32:58 – Writing a book 34:49 – A license to build transmitters and the eventual benefits in the studio 36:39 – People he grew up with in Baltimore / John Waters 37:54 – Not liking school but still getting good grades 38:35 – A promise to his grandmother at age 5 to not use Heroin 40:02 – Experiences with drugs / heeding grandma’s advice 40:58 – A slew of rock stars trying to stay on the wagon 41:32 – Getting a guitar from grandma, age 12; early band experiences 42:33 – A long-standing ambition for stardom 43:17 – Other jobs (switching system design) 44:24 – The Ocasek family / the rock n’ roll lifestyle 46:00 – Playing for undiscerning audiences / playing bad shows

Part 2 00:00 – Making music to be as big as The Beatles 00:44 – Keeping his private life private 01:35 – His children / his son’s favorite bands 02:34 – Dealing with the press / not trying to impress 03:57 – Comparing his music to what else is out there 04:33 – Not considering himself a musician / not liking musicians 05:24 – Style vs. musicianship / perks of not being able to read music 06:40 – Reflections on his childhood 07:43 – Reaction to the success of The Cars (1978)