Benjamin Orr; Bassist for the Cars

Benjamin Orr, 53, the bass player of the popular 1980s group the Cars, who also sang some of the band’s most popular songs. Born Benjamin Orzechowski in Cleveland, Orr formed the Cars in Boston in 1976 with fellow Ohio native Ric Ocasek. He sang lead vocals on several of the band’s hits, including “Drive” and “Just What I Needed.” After the band dissolved in 1987, Orr recorded a solo album, “The Lace,” which produced the hit “Stay the Night.” Recently, Orr had toured with the band Orr, as well as the Voices of Classic Rock and the Atlanta-based group Big People. Orr remained active with the band and performed three shows last month in Alaska. Orr had also reunited with his former Cars bandmates for a documentary titled, “The Cars Live.” Rhino Home Video plans to release the production in November with part of the proceeds going to the National Pancreas Foundation. On Tuesday in Atlanta of pancreatic cancer, according to Billy Johnson, manager of Big People.