Ric Ocasek — PICS

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September 15, 2019 9:33PM EDT

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Ric Ocasek — Pics

Ric Ocasek — Pics — The sound of the new wave scene of the 1970s and ‘80s would not be the same without one Ric Ocasek. As one of the founding members of The Cars, Ric’s voice was heard on the radio throughout the world on such songs like “My Best Friend’s Girl,” “Good Times Roll,” “Just What I Needed,” “Shake It Up” and “You Might Think.” Though The Cars would break up, Ric would pursue his thriving solo career. He released his first solo album in 1982 and had a hit single, “Emotion In Motion,” in 1986. His post-Cars work saw him take a position behind the mixing board, and he developed a reputation as a successful producer. He produced such classic albums as Bad Brains’ Rock For Light, Guided By Voices’ DO the Collapse, and both Weezer’s Blue and Green albums.

His personal life was full of highs and lows. He was married three times, most notably to then 18-year-old model Paulina Porizkova. The couple wed in 1989 and remained together until 2017. The couple separated and announced their split a year later. Sadly, it was Paulina who reportedly discovered Ric’s body on Sep. 15, 2019, in his Manhattan apartment.

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Ric Ocasek, Paulina Porizkova, and their children

Ric Ocasek, Paulina Porizkova, and their children — Ric Ocasek and model Paulina Porizkova were married in 1989. The couple had two kids together. Here, they pose with her sons Jonathan Ocasek, left, Oliver Ocasek at the premiere of “Florence Foster Jenkins” in New York.

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The Cars Are Inducted Into The Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame

The Cars Are Inducted Into The Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame — The Cars were inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame in 2018. Pictured here are: Ric Ocasek, David Robinson, Elliot Easton, Greg Hawkes of The Cars.

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Ric and Paulina In Happier Times

Ric and Paulina In Happier Times — Ric Ocasek and Paulina Porizkova pose with their songs at the premiere of Harry Potter & The Sorcerers Stone in 2001. The couple would split in 2017.

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Ric Ocasek Cleaned Up

Ric Ocasek Cleaned Up — Ric Ocasek knew how to clean up. He posed with his wife Paulina Porizkova at the Children’s Defense Fund’s ‘Beat The Odds’ Gala in 2016.

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Ric Ocasek of The Cars

Ric Ocasek of The Cars — Though The Cars released some of their biggest hits in the late 1970s – “Just What I Needed’, “Good Times Roll”, and “My Best Friend’s Girl” – their sound became synonymous with the new wave of the 1980s. The band released charting singles like “Shake It Up,” “You Might Think,” and “Drive” in the early 1980s.

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Lovebirds In Happier Times

Lovebirds In Happier Times — Ric Ocasek and Paulina Porizkova in 1992. The couple would sadly announce their separation 25 years later.

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Ric Ocasek: Abstract Reality Art Presentation

Ric Ocasek: Abstract Reality Art Presentation — Rick Ocasek developed a reputation of being a renownked producer in his post-Cars career. Here, he attends a media event prior to his art show ‘Abstract Reality’ at Wentworth Gallery on in Fort Lauderdale in March 2019. He would be dead five months later.

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Paulina and Ric in 2009

Paulina and Ric in 2009 — Paulina Porizkova and Ric Ocasek, ten years before he would be found dead in New York City. The then-coupel attended the ‘Bon Jovi : When We Were Beautiful’ Film Premiere in New York in 2009.

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Ric Ocasek Always Looked Sharp

Ric Ocasek Always Looked Sharp — Ric Ocasek found a style and stuck with it. He rocked a white shirt and leather jacket to the ‘Rolling Thunder Revue: A Bob Dylan Story by Martin Scorsese’ film premiere in June 2019. He’d be dead in two months from here.

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Ric Ocasek and Alice Cooper In 1989

Ric Ocasek and Alice Cooper In 1989 — Ric Ocasek poses with his fellow rock icon (and fellow future Rock & Roll Hall Of Famer) Alice Cooper in 1989. Even Alice Cooper thought that the new wave was super.

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