Ric Ocasek
Ric Ocasek (born Richard T. Otcasek; March 23, 1949) is an American musician and music producer. He is best known as lead vocalist (along with Benjamin Orr), rhythm guitarist and songwriter for the rock band, the Cars. Ocasek grew up in Baltimore, Maryland. When Ocasek was 16, his father, a computer analyst for NASA, was transferred to Cleveland, Ohio. It was there that he first met Benjamin Orr. Orr was a member of a popular local band that performed on WEWS-TV; Ocasek liked their performance and got in touch with Orr. Ocasek briefly attended Bowling Green State University near Toledo, Ohio. However, he dropped out to pursue a career in music. He reconnected with Benjamin Orr in Columbus, Ohio, and the two began booking bands together. Soon, they formed one of their own and began to perform in and around Ohio State University. Ocasek is married to model Paulina Porizkova, who is his third wife. They got married in 1989. Ocasek has six children from his three marriages, including two sons with Porizkova.