In the wake of the passing of Cars frontman Ric Ocasek, many musicians have reflected on the influence he and the Cars had on so many. Not only did the band itself leave a major mark on rock and pop music, but Ocasek worked as a producer for bands such as Weezer, No Doubt, and Bad Religion. Brandon Flowers, frontman of The Killers, called him “my first king” on Twitter.
This was not the first time Flowers has cited The Cars as being a major part of his musical education. At the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction of The Cars, Flowers showered them with high praise: “The Cars were the first band I fell in love with, and you never forget your first,” he said. “The Cars had it all: the looks, the hooks, Beat-romance lyrics, killer choruses, guitar solos that pissed off your parents, dazzling music videos.” Of Ocasek, Flowers called him “one of the world’s most enigmatic frontmen, with his cool, detached vocals-an inscrutable Dylan and Velvets fan with a very stylish jacket pocket full of power choruses.”
At a recent concert, The Killers honored Ocasek with a cover of The Cars hit “My Best Friend’s Girl.” Instrumentation was true to the original, complete with guitar solos and back up singers. Flowers delivered the song with his usual dynamic personality. Much of what Flowers has said about Ocasek and the band can also be used to describe The Killers, who will continue to keep the flame of The Cars alive in their music. Watch the cover below.
Excellent.