Died On This Date (October 3, 2000) Benjamin Orr / The Cars
themusicsover Benjamin Orr (Born Benjamin Orzechowski)
September 8, 1947 – October 3, 2000
Benjamin Orr is best remembered as the bassist and co-lead singer of popular Boston new wave band, the Cars. Formed by Orr and Ric Ocasek in 1976, the band released a string of multi-platinum albums and hit singles that helped define ’80s pop music. They were also one of the early bands adopted by MTV. Orr sang lead on such hit singles as “Drive,” “Just What I Needed,” and “Let’s Go.” In 1986, he left the group and recorded his solo debut, The Lace, and then left the group the following year. Orr continued to record and perform live in various incarnations up until just a few months before his death. Benjamin Orr, age 53, died of pancreatic cancer on October 3, 2000.
What You Should Own
Bruce Palmer is best remembered as the bassist for Buffalo Springfield. Born and raised in Canada, he played in a few local bands throughout the early ’60s. One in particular, Jack London & The Sparrows would evolve into Steppenwolf after he left to join the Ontario, Canada based R&B group, Mynah Birds, featuring Neil Young on guitar and future funk star, 
Greg Ladanyi was an engineer and producer who worked with some of the biggest acts of the ’70s and ’80s. His talents can be heard on landmark albums by the likes of Fleetwood Mac, Don Henley, Jackson Browne, the Church, the Cruzados, David Lindley, and Toto. In 1983, he won a Grammy for Best Engineered Album for Toto IV. In recent years he was working with Greek singer and actress, Anna Vissi. On Friday, September 25, 2009, Ladanyi was injured in an accident while on stage with Vissi. He suffered head injuries that lead to his death on September 29, 2009. He was 57 years old.
