![[Beating Heart Animated Graphic]](graphics/beat_heart.gif){kind=small}
Frequently Asked Questions (F.A.Q.)Frequently Asked Questions (F.A.Q.)
| Q. | Is the song that goes "Here in my car, I feel safest of all..." performed by the Cars? If not, who sings it? |
| A. | NO!!!! This song, entitled "Cars" is NOT by the Cars. It is by new wave artist Gary Numan from his 1980 album "The Pleasure Principle." |
| Q. | Why did the Cars break up? |
| A. | Not knowing anyone in the band personally, I don't have specific details about what transpired before the Cars' break-up in 1987. All I do know is that there was tension between Ric Ocasek and Benjamin Orr. |
| Q. | Where can I purchase The Cars 1984 "Heartbeat City" video album? Is it available on DVD? |
| A. | In the mid-90's, the Heartbeat City video album on VHS could be special ordered at chain video stores (non-rental) such as Suncoast (*also currently available for $14.99 at Wal-Mart.com). As as far I know, it has not yet been released on DVD. Please ask at your nearest Suncoast, Saturday Matinee, or other video store. Also, you may be able to find a second hand VHS copy on ebay.com or online auctions or other sites selling music-related items. It is also available second hand on laserdisc, and can usually be found on ebay, as well as the players (thanks, William!). |
| Q. | Where can I purchase Benjamin Orr's "The Lace" on CD? |
| A. | The Lace was originally released on CD in 1986, and has since been out of print and never re-released. Try looking in second-hand record stores online as well as local stores in your area. Also try online auctions including ebay.com. A reissue of "The Lace" may be released in summer 2006 by Wounded Bird Records. Thanks, David! Buy it online @ CDUniverse.com, 8/15/06! Thanks, Ralph! |
| Q. | My band has a demo tape we would like to send to Ric Ocasek. Do you have his contact information? |
| A. | Ric Ocasek has his own official website: ricocasek.com. It is scheduled be updated in January 2004, however, it does not state whether or not contact information will be provided. I know of no other contact info for him or any of the other surviving Cars members. |
| Q. | Whatever happened to the never-released 1996 "The Cars' Prototypes: Raw Hits and Rarities" collection? |
| A. | This project has been cancelled for reasons unknown, and has been replaced by the 1999 release, "The Cars Deluxe Edition." |
| Q. | Where can I find guitar tablature (tabs) for Cars songs? Can I find them online? |
| A. | *Cars tabs have been spotted in various places online...a search engine should lead you to them. Other sources in which to find tabs would be in a Cars songbook (one was made for each album I think) and they might be found in second hand record stores or music collectible shows. |
| Q. | Do you have any info on the guitars, keyboards, etc. that the Cars used? |
| A. | This question often comes from musicians looking to play Cars-style music. Not being a musician myself, I don't know much about the instruments they played. |
| Q. | Where can I buy Cars' collectibles? |
| A. | To begin, all Cars' merchandise with the exception of re-released music, can only be found on the second-hand market. Looking for Cars' collectibles is challenging and the chances of finding something are few and far between, so I can't list any one specific place where these items can be found. However, the types of places to look are antique stores/shows, music collectors' shows, second-hand record stores, and flea markets. |
| Q. | Are there any videos of the Cars' in concert for sale? |
| A. | The only official video release of the Cars in concert was "The Cars Live 1984-85" tape which is long since out-of-print. However, people record and sell bootleg copies of the Cars in concert from probably every tour. These can usually be found at collector's shows and are sometimes very expensive. |
| Q. | Do you have any information on the re-release of Cars' videos and solo albums? |
| A. | Ric Ocasek's first two solo albums, "Beatitude" and "This Side of Paradise" were re-released by Geffen Goldmine in Spring 1997. You can find them at most record stores or online record stores (most stores are selling them at clearance prices now). |
| Q. | Are there any places I can discuss The Cars with other fans? |
| A. | Yes, you can join the "Frozen Fire" (The Cars) mailing list; this is an unmoderated mailing list about The Cars and their solo projects. You must have an e-mail account to join. "Frozen Fire" is not affiliated with Heartbeat City. *There is also a Ben Orr discussion group: benorr@yahoogroups.com |
| Q. | Are Ric Ocasek and Paulina Poriskova still married? |
| A. | Yes, as far as I know, they are, however seeing as how I do not know either of them personally, I cannot provide any more details. |
| Q. | Was Ben Orr married or did he have any children before he died? |
| A. | Not much is known on Ben Orr's personal or family history. In 1997, I saw Ben carrying a small boy, about two years old, who looked just like him, (*Ben's son and namesake...never married the mother Edita). For information on Ben Orr that precedes 1997, please see Solo Projects (page 2). Note: this is just from my own observation (I've only met Ben twice). For first hand information, please visit: http://home.bellsouth.net/p/PWP-vikzone, |
*Thanks Vikki for filling in some of the FAQ answers!!
 |
If you have read these questions and still can't find your answer, please e-mail me (Kimberly) and I'll try to answer your question personally. |
| Heartbeat City - A Site About The Cars | |||
|---|---|---|---|
|
Introduction: Main Page
|
Music & Video: Cars Discography & Lyrics |
Other: Guestbook
|
|
| Kimberly's Home Page | |||