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#681 SHAKE IT UP The Cars
The Cars formed in Boston in 1976. Their rock sound incorporated elements of new wave but they were astute enough to craft songs that would crossover to pop audiences. Later, they would shrewdly exploit the new possibilities that music videos offered in the advent of MTV. 
By the end of 1977, the new group had signed with the Elektra label. The following year saw the band appear on the US chart with their first singles. In 1979, The Cars scored a Top 15 hit with "Let's Go". Vocalist/ guitarist Ric Ocasek composed the group's first Top 10 hit: "Shake It Up"; the title track from the band's 4th LP, issued in 1981. Roy Thomas Baker once again handled production. He had been in a similar role on Queen's legendary "Bohemian Rhapsody". He has also produced for Cheap Trick, Devo and Journey.
Greater sales followed in 1984 via singles "You Might Think" and "Drive", both from 'Heartbeat City'. The group's 2 vocalists, Ocasek and Benjamin Orr, released solo albums which also spawned charting singles. Ocasek found himself an in-demand producer, working in subsequent years with the likes of Weezer, Hole, Bad Religion and No Doubt. Sadly, bass player/ singer Orr died in 2000 from pancreatic cancer. Following a hiatus, the group reformed in 2010 and released new material the following year.