Credit: Jeff Albertson
Credit: Jeff AlbertsonThe Cars are one of six artists being inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame next month in Cleveland, and now comes word that the band’s surviving members plan to reunite and perform at the ceremony.
In a new interview with Goldmine, guitarist Elliot Easton says, “We’ve talked about it and we intend to do it. We haven’t settled on what three numbers we’re going to play but we are tossing around some likely choices. We will be playing and we will have someone substituting for [late bassist] Ben [Orr].”
Orr, who also shared lead vocal duties with rhythm guitarist/songwriter Ric Ocasek, died of pancreatic cancer in 2000 at the age of 53.
Easton also tells Goldmine that he was “quite happy” about The Cars finally getting chosen for induction after being eligible for more than a dozen years.
“I’m not judging the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame or questioning the validity of it, but it’s nice after a lifetime of playing music to be recognized that way,” Elliot maintains. “Benjamin would have really appreciated it, especially being from Cleveland, I think he would’ve been very happy to go back, because he is very loved in Cleveland.”
The 2018 induction ceremony takes place on April 14 at the Cleveland Public Auditorium. The last time The Cars performed together live was during a 2011 tour promoting their reunion album, Move Like This.
Meanwhile, Cars fans can check out an early demo version of the band’s 1981 hit “Shake It Up” exclusively at Billboard.com. The previously unreleased track will appear as a bonus tune on the expanded reissue of The Cars’ Shake It Up album, which hits stores on Friday, March 30.
A similarly expanded edition of the group’s 1984 album, Heartbeat City, will be released the same day.
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