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WBUR Podcasts, Boston.

It was five people.

It wasn't just Rick.

It wasn't just Ben.

It was these great five members that really made the sound of the car.

Today, we're going to let the good times roll

and get the full story of one of the greatest bands of the 80s, The Cars.

It's Friday, October 17th, and this is here and now anytime from NPR and WVR.

I'm Chris Bentley.

Let them leave you up in the end. Let them brush you rock and roll. The cars are like just what I'm at this point

At this point

But think about what they might have sounded like staples at this point.

But think about what they might have sounded like in the late 70s and early 80s when they just came out.

I was born the year they broke up, so I can only imagine.

But this was the new wave era of punk, pop, and electronica mingling with an absurd

and quirky visual aesthetic that was

instantly cool and indoors to this day. While a new book dives deep into the history of the

cars, their sound, their rocky trip through stardom, their lasting appeal, and to get us

started, I'll hand it over to the band's fellow Bostonian, Robin Young.

The year was 1978.

...