A great biography of a pivotal rock band.

W.K. · 11 October 2025

The Cars. They helped define the late 70’s and 80’s sound of radio and New Wave. But as the excellent book points out they existed before that including Ben Orr and Ric Ocasek having recorded an album as Milkwood prior to ever being signed. Both were much older than most fans suspected (particularly Ocasek) who was 33 when they finally broke through on their debut album “The Cars”.The band had a storied history with former Modern Lovers drummer David Robinson joining the band giving them additional credibility during this time. Ocasek managed to distill 70’s influences (Roxy Music, David Bowie) with 60’s (The Velvet Underground) along with more contemporary acts (Suicide) that Ocasek integrated into a hook driven style with sarcastic and oblique lyrics. With Orr’s good looks, it gave the band sex appeal (along with Robinson) in some respects they were kind of like Cheap Trick with the unusual (but well dressed) Ocasek, Greg Hawkes on keyboards and sax (and occasional guitar) and Elliott Easton’s 70’s rock star shag appealing to a wide audience.The book covers the band’s history well including the childhood of the members and how they initially formed. It also covers Ocasek’s insecurities about the band, his issues with control (he never let anyone, aside from Hawkes who occasionally co-wrote material, write material for the band) over the band’s songwriting. When Orr wanted to resume writing (he had written a couple of tunes on the Milkwood album they recorded) with his girlfriend, Ocasek balked and it helped drive a wedge between them that lasted until shortly before Orr passed away.There’s plenty of stories on the recording of the material and an acknowledgment of the pivotal role that producer Roy Thomas Baker (Queen, Journey, Ian Hunter) played in helping them establish their sound on record with extensive overdubs.There’s some great candid pictures as well.For fans, I’d recommend this.

Great Tribute to a Great Band

S.C. · 18 October 2025

I hesitated to buy this at first because I thought I mostly knew the Cars story. Turns out there was way more to the men and the music than I imagined. Fascinating detail on the making of a band, the crafting of classic songs, and the unfortunate control issues that divided band mates, paint a multilayered picture that show a side of the music industry that is not some perfect fairytale.The author Bill Janovitz writing style had me hooked from the beginning. I couldn’t stop reading! The detail given to the musical creative process of the band will delight musically interested geeks like me. And surprisingly this book caused me to revisit the Cars music and hear new elements I missed previously, especially in the song lyrics.I also didn’t expect to feel the emotions I felt. I almost titled this review “HEARTBREAK CITY”.It is sad to see a group you love reach such satisfying highs and then slowly break apart. I felt my heart ache for both Ben and Ric as their friendship deteriorated. But the author chronicles it all with the right balance of honesty and dignity.Overall I believe this is a story that celebrates an amazing musical legacy.If you are a Cars fan, this book is a must. Great job Mr. Janovitz.

The Story Of The Cars

J.P. · 12 October 2025

If you are a fan of the Cars this book is a “must read.”It’s like a multi - biography, the author did a terrific job covering all five members of the band.Any good band biography will offer up information about songs; their origin, meaning, and circumstances. Mr. Janovitz provides all of that.The complicated part of The Cars is the band dynamic. While they were wildly popular, they had their conflicts. Ego, personality, disagreements were all part of the band.What made them great might have eventually proved problematic. One facet was their diverse taste in music. Personality clashes were probably inevitable.The band had some interesting characters. Ric Ocasek was mysterious, especially when it came to his actual age. He was a difficult man but also a prolific songwriter.Elliot Easton was underrated as a guitarist. His early influences were of interest.Five men made the band and you will get to know all of them in this book.Let the stories be told indeed.

Absolutely loved this book...

K. · 21 October 2025

What a great read. I've learned a lot reading this book. Although I never met Ric, I did speak to him in the early 2000s in regards to demos that I was sending him from my friends bands in Boston. He once sent me a box of CDs by bands that he worked with or who were affiliated with Elektra. I unfortunately never met Ben either. I have met the other three though, great people.I became a fan by hearing them on WBCN in the late 70s and hearing their music in movies like "Over the Edge" and "Times Square", all before I was even 10 years old.Looking forward to whatever music Greg, Elliot and David are working on as mentioned in the final chapter.

Loved Every Page

K. · 7 October 2025

I have loved The Cars ever since I brought home their debut album, which is still my all-time favorite debut album ever. I bought every album, loved every video, and always attended every concert in my city. The only thing that ever bugged me was, I really didn't know much about them. "The Cars: Let the Stories Be Told" is excellent. From the first page, I could not put it down. It tells all about The Cars' beginnings... things I never knew. It's so detailed and very interesting. From this Cars fan and book lover, thank you to Elliot Easton, Greg Hawkes, and David Robinson for your stories and recollections, and to Bill Janovitz for putting it all together. I know I'll revisit this book again.