Ocasek came to fame as a member of the CARS, sharing vocals with late bassist Ben Orr. The five-piece band, which also included lead guitarist Elliot Easton, keyboardist Greg Hawkes and drummer David Robinson, had 13 Top 40 singles and were among the first acts to embrace the music video revolution, winning Video of the Year for "You Might Think" at the inaugural MTV Video Music Awards in 1984.

 

Their most revered songs included "Shake It Up," "Just What I Needed," "Good Times Roll," "My Best Friend's Girl," "Let's Go" and "Magic" among others. The CARS were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2018.

 

In addition to The CARS, Ocasek enjoyed a career as a solo artist and became an in demand producer in his post-CARS years. He worked with Bad Brains, Suicide, D Generation, No Doubt, Motion City Soundtrack and oversaw Weezer's self-titled "blue" debut album as well as their 2001 self-titled "green" album and 2014's Everything Will Be Alright in the End.

 

Ocasek wed supermodel Paulina Porizkova in 1989. Porizkova had appeared in the band's acclaimed "Drive" video. The couple had separated in May 2018, but she was present with Ocasek at the band's Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction.