Ric Ocasek, the lead singer, songwriter, and guitarist of the iconic new wave band the Cars, passed away on September 15, 2019, at the age of 75. He was found unresponsive in his New York City apartment by his estranged wife, supermodel Paulina Porizkova. The cause of death was later determined to be hypertensive and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, with pulmonary emphysema as a contributing factor
Ocasek was one of the most influential and innovative musicians of his generation, who helped shape the sound and style of rock music in the late 1970s and 1980s. He was also a successful solo artist and a sought-after record producer, who worked with artists such as Weezer, Bad Religion, No Doubt, and Nada Surf
But how much was Ric Ocasek worth at the time of his death? And how did he earn his fortune? In this article, we will explore the net worth of Ric Ocasek and his sources of income throughout his career.
The Cars: A New Wave Sensation
Ric Ocasek’s net worth was largely the result of his success as the leader of the Cars, one of the most popular and influential bands of the new wave era. The Cars were formed in Boston in 1976 by Ocasek, Benjamin Orr (bass and vocals), Elliot Easton (guitar), Greg Hawkes (keyboards), and David Robinson (drums). They combined catchy pop hooks with synthesizer-driven rock, creating a unique and distinctive sound that appealed to both mainstream and alternative audiences
The Cars released their self-titled debut album in 1978, which spawned hit singles such as “Just What I Needed”, “My Best Friend’s Girl”, and “Good Times Roll”. The album was a critical and commercial success, selling over six million copies in the US and earning them a nomination for Best New Artist at the Grammy Awards
The band followed up with five more studio albums: Candy-O (1979), Panorama (1980), Shake It Up (1981), Heartbeat City (1984), and Door to Door (1987). Some of their most famous songs include “Let’s Go”, “You Might Think”, “Drive”, “Magic”, and “Tonight She Comes”. The Cars sold over 23 million albums in the US alone, making them one of the best-selling bands of all time. They also won several awards, including MTV Video Music Awards, American Music Awards, and Billboard Music Awards
The Cars disbanded in 1988, after tensions arose among the members. Ocasek and Orr had a falling out over creative differences and personal issues. Orr died of pancreatic cancer in 2000, at the age of 53. The surviving members reunited in 2010 for a new album, Move Like This, which was released in 2011. It was their first album without Orr and their last album with Ocasek
In 2018, the Cars were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, honoring their legacy and influence on rock music. Ocasek delivered an emotional speech at the ceremony, thanking his bandmates, his family, his fans, and his late friend Orr
Solo Career and Record Production
Besides his work with the Cars, Ric Ocasek also pursued a solo career and a record production career. He released seven solo albums between 1982 and 2005: Beatitude (1982), This Side of Paradise (1986), Fireball Zone (1991), Quick Change World (1993), Negative Theater (1993), Troublizing (1997), and Nexterday (2005). His solo style was similar to that of the Cars, but more experimental and eclectic. His most successful solo single was “Emotion in Motion”, which reached No.15 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in 1986
Ocasek also established himself as a respected record producer, who worked with a variety of artists across different genres. He produced albums for bands such as Suicide, Bad Brains, Romeo Void, Iggy Pop, Hole, Guided by Voices, Black 47, D Generation, No Doubt, Nada Surf, Motion City Soundtrack, Weezer, Bad Religion and many others. He was especially known for his work with Weezer, whom he produced three albums for: their debut Blue Album (1994), their comeback Green Album (2001), and their acclaimed Everything Will Be Alright in the End (2014). He also co-wrote some songs with Weezer frontman Rivers Cuomo, such as “I Just Threw Out the Love of My Dreams” and “Heart Songs”.
Ocasek’s record production career earned him praise and recognition from both critics and peers. He was nominated for a Grammy Award for Producer of the Year in 1995, and won a Latin Grammy Award for Best Rock Album for producing No Doubt’s Rock Steady in 2002. He was also honored with the ASCAP Founders Award in 2019, for his contributions to music as a songwriter and producer.
Personal Life and Estate
Ric Ocasek was married three times and had six sons. His first wife was Constance Campbell, whom he married in 1963 and divorced in 1971. They had two sons, Christopher and Adam. His second wife was Suzanne Otcasek, whom he married in 1971 and divorced in 1988. They had two sons, Eron and Derek. His third wife was Paulina Porizkova, a Czech-born supermodel and actress, whom he met on the set of the Cars’ music video for “Drive” in 1984. They married in 1989 and had two sons, Jonathan and Oliver. They separated in 2017, but remained friends until his death.
According to Celebrity Net Worth, Ric Ocasek’s net worth was estimated to be $40 million at the time of his death. However, his will revealed that he did not intend for Porizkova to inherit any of his assets, as he claimed that she had abandoned him. He also left out two of his six sons from his will, without specifying the reasons. He left the bulk of his estate to his other four sons, who were named as the beneficiaries of his trusts. His estate included his New York City townhouse, which was valued at $10 million, his music royalties, which were estimated to be worth $5 million, and his personal belongings, such as cars, jewelry, art, and memorabilia.
Conclusion
Ric Ocasek was a legendary musician, singer, songwriter, and producer who left behind a rich musical legacy that spanned over four decades. He was the driving force behind the Cars, one of the most influential bands of the new wave era. He also had a successful solo career and a record production career that showcased his versatility and creativity. He was a beloved figure in the rock music scene, who inspired and collaborated with many artists. He was also a devoted father to his six sons, who inherited most of his estate. Ric Ocasek’s net worth reflected his achievements and contributions to the music industry, as well as his passion and dedication to his craft.
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