This record really caused a dilemma for me even more so than Candy-O did as far as competing with commercial radio. As Deaconlight was in its final months, WKZL launched its North Carolina's Best Rock format, switching from a Top 40/AOR hybrid to a Burkhart/Abrams franchise station. What this meant is that as a college radio show with limited hours, we didn't want to repeat songs that could be heard on KZL.

But how could I not play this record, so full of great pop songs. KZL was playing "Since You're Gone," "Shake It Up," "Cruiser," and "Victim of Love" in regular rotation. I made the decision to go ahead and play these songs anyway. They were too good to omit from my shows.

The Cars were one of my favorite bands at this time. By 1982 I was working at KZL myself in the wake of Deaconlight's demise. And I got free tickets to see The Cars during this tour (with The Go-Go's) through the radio station.

I still have a video clip I taped from that show Friday's - sort of a Friday night version of Saturday Night Live. Ric Ocasek is wearing this bright blue suit with big shoulders and singing "Since You're Gone." Lefty Elliott Easton plays that killer solo in "Shake It Up."

But my favorite song is Benjamin Orr singing the danceable "Think It Over." He has on this black outfit that looks like something out of a sci-fi film. He has a little bit of blue eye shadow on. And he's absolutely charismatic and georgeous. The way he looks in the camera and cocks his head as he sings knocks me out. And it goes to show that the original Cars were more than just Ric Ocasek, wonderful as he is.

When I heard that Orr died in 2000, I nearly cried. Such a loss. I didn't even know he was sick. (More details on Benjamin Orr are here.) I wonder if he would be part of this new Cars reunion? I would hope so. Kasim Sulton is an excellent choice to step in, but I can never forget the look in Benjamin's eyes when he sang "Think It Over" that night on Friday's.

-- Posted 24 February 2006 (DD)