Benjamin Orr facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Benjamin Orr
Orr in 1978 on The Midnight Special
Background information
Birth name	Benjamin Orzechowski
Born	September 8, 1947 Lakewood, Ohio, U.S.
Died	October 3, 2000(2000-10-03) (aged 53) Atlanta, Georgia, U.S.
Genres	Rock new wave
Occupation(s)	Musician singer songwriter
Instruments	Vocals bass guitar guitar keyboards
Years active	1965–2000
Labels	Elektra
Associated acts	The Cars Voices of Classic Rock Big People

Benjamin Orzechowski (born September 8, 1947 – died October 3, 2000) was an American musician. He was known as Benjamin Orr. He was the bassist, singer, and a founder of the rock band The Cars. Benjamin Orr sang lead on famous songs like "Just What I Needed", "Let's Go", and "Drive". He also had a popular solo song called "Stay the Night". In 2018, after he passed away, he was added to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame with The Cars.

Early Life and Musical Start

Benjamin Orzechowski was born in Lakewood, Ohio. His family came from different European countries. They really helped him with his music. He learned to play many instruments well. These included the guitar, bass guitar, keyboards, and drums.

People in his hometown called him "Benny 11 Letters". He went to Valley Forge High School. In 1964, he joined a band called The Grasshoppers. He was their lead singer and guitarist.

In 1965, The Grasshoppers released two songs. These were "Mod Socks" and "Pink Champagne (and Red Roses)". Benjamin Orr wrote the second song. The band also played on a TV show called Big 5 Show.

The Grasshoppers broke up in 1966. Some members had to join the U.S. Army. After that, Orr joined other bands. These included Mixed Emotions and The Colours. Benjamin Orr himself was later drafted into the Army. But he received a special permission to leave after about a year and a half.

Forming The Cars

Benjamin Orr first met Ric Ocasek in Cleveland in the 1960s. Ocasek saw Orr performing with The Grasshoppers. A few years later, Orr moved to Columbus, Ohio. There, he and Ocasek started making music together. This partnership continued for many years.

They moved to Boston and formed a folk band. It was called Milkwood. In 1973, Milkwood released an album. It was named How's the Weather? but it was not very popular.

Ocasek and Orr then formed another band. It was called Richard and the Rabbits. This band included keyboardist Greg Hawkes. Next, they formed a band called Cap'n Swing. Guitarist Elliot Easton joined this group.

In 1976, Cap'n Swing broke up. But the five musicians decided to stay together. These were Orr, Ocasek, Hawkes, Easton, and drummer David Robinson. They formed the famous band The Cars.

Success with The Cars

As a member of The Cars, Benjamin Orr sang lead on many popular songs. Their first hit song in the Top 40 was "Just What I Needed". He also sang on "Let's Go" and "Drive". "Drive" was their highest-charting song in the United States.

The Cars released several successful albums. These included The Cars (1978), Candy-O (1979), and Heartbeat City (1984). The band toured and became very popular.

Solo Work and Later Bands

In 1986, Benjamin Orr released his only solo album. It was called The Lace. He wrote the music and lyrics with his girlfriend, Diane Grey Page. The album had a Top 40 hit song. This song was "Stay the Night". Its music video was often played on MTV.

Another song from the album was "Too Hot to Stop". It also did well on rock radio charts. Orr continued to work with The Cars for one more album. It was called Door to Door. The band then broke up in 1988. After that, each member worked on their own music.

In the mid-1990s, Orr recorded new songs. These were for a possible second solo album. But it was never released. From 1998 until his death, he performed with his own band called ORR. He also played with two other bands. These were Voices of Classic Rock and Big People.

Illness and Passing

In April 2000, Benjamin Orr was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. He was very sick. But he still kept performing with his band Big People. He played at music festivals that summer.

He met with The Cars one last time in Atlanta. This was for an interview for a concert video. Benjamin Orr passed away from pancreatic cancer on October 3, 2000. He was 53 years old.

His last public performance was six days before he died. He played with Big People in Anchorage, Alaska. His bandmates were with him when he passed away.

Ric Ocasek wrote a song for Orr. It was called "Silver". It appeared on Ocasek's 2005 album. The Cars reunited ten years after Orr's death. They released a new album in 2011. It was called Move Like This. They thanked Benjamin Orr in the album notes. They wrote, "Ben, your spirit was with us on this one."

Discography

Solo albums

• The Lace (1986) – US# 86

With the Grasshoppers

• "Mod Socks" b/w "Twin Beat" (1965) Sunburst Records
• "Pink Champagne (and Red Roses)" b/w "The Wasp" (1965) Sunburst Records

With Milkwood

• How's the Weather? (1973)

With The Cars

• The Cars (1978)
• Candy-O (1979)
• Panorama (1980)
• Shake It Up (1981)
• Heartbeat City (1984)
• Door to Door (1987)

Solo singles