Ric Ocasek‘s music and production had a wide reach, touching most of us and influencing a wide variety of pop music over the last 40 years. The sad news of his passing has seen fellow musicians and more pay tribute to him on social media. Read tributes from Weezer (who had Ric Ocasek produce their classic debut Blue Album, and a couple of their later albums), Nada Surf and The Cribs (who also had albums produced by Ric), Billy Corgan, Courtney Love, Billy Idol, Jason Isbell, blink-182’s Mark Hoppus, Eddie Van Halen, Flea, The Hold Steady, Alice Cooper, AC Newman, Tom Morello, Bette Midler, actors Elijah Wood, Rainn Wilson, Donal Logue, directors Edgar Wright, Judd Apatow, and more, below.
—
The weezer family is devastated by the loss of our friend and mentor Ric Ocasek, who passed away Sunday. We will miss him forever, & will forever cherish the precious times we got to work and hang out with him. Rest in Peace & rock on Ric, we love you. #RIPRicOcasek #karlscorner pic.twitter.com/JcTXevr6V8
— weezer (@Weezer) September 16, 2019
We will remember #RicOcasek for many reasons-his friendship, his artistry, but most of all for his generosity. Here was a bona fide legend, who seemed to care as much about our record as we did. Which was a huge thrill, of course. A star through and through. RIP Ric, love you x pic.twitter.com/EvNjqzHotw
— The Cribs (@thecribs) September 16, 2019
Sorry 2 hear about #ricocasek RIP loved his work with the band #Suicide
— Billy Idol (@BillyIdol) September 16, 2019
RIP Ric Ocasek pic.twitter.com/SqW6BzrY3r
— Alice Cooper (@alicecooper) September 16, 2019
RIP Ric Ocasek. 😢
— Jimmy Eat World (@jimmyeatworld) September 16, 2019
https://twitter.com/ACNewman/status/1173413162227572736
https://twitter.com/ACNewman/status/1173571659808301056
https://www.instagram.com/p/B2eRZExhbih/
https://twitter.com/markhoppus/status/1173638784015130638?s=21
https://twitter.com/BetteMidler/status/1173406939977531392
Our walkout: “Since You’re Gone”.
RIP Ric Ocasek pic.twitter.com/si1DI7HtOT
— The Hold Steady (@theholdsteady) September 16, 2019
Awwwww Man….. Ric Ocasek was one of oddest, BEST Front Men EVER. The Cars! The TUNES! Ric Ocasek also showed Visionary taste in producing #BadBrains 2nd album Rock For Light. Am DEEPLY Bummed over this. Am a Cars FAN. https://t.co/yfz1yUyeuX
— Vernon Reid (@vurnt22) September 16, 2019
We were just playing your music on the bus last night. Just what I needed.😢#RicOcasek pic.twitter.com/Pix2mZMzui
— BERLIN || Terri Nunn (@RealTerriNunn) September 16, 2019
https://twitter.com/JuddApatow/status/1173413924235923457
Sad to hear of the passing of Ric Ocasek. Takes me back to hearing the Cars constantly on WBCN (the Rrrrock of Boston!) Sat behind him at a play once and got to fan out at him in person and he couldn’t have been nicer.
— Rachel Dratch (@TheRealDratch) September 16, 2019
https://www.instagram.com/p/B2dHPgHlMq_/?utm_source=ig_embed
https://twitter.com/kurt_loder/status/1173413766328934400
https://twitter.com/JasonIsbell/status/1173437583969288192
https://twitter.com/therealelp/status/1173414099012767744
Last year, while writing, I listened to the first four Cars albums one afternoon in a row and it was pure power pop bliss. Might just have to do it again today. RIP Ric Ocasek. pic.twitter.com/kT0ue43GKx
— edgarwright (@edgarwright) September 16, 2019
https://twitter.com/TwinPeaksArchve/status/1173406454772129792
Ahh man, say it ain’t so. I loved Ric Ocasek. What an interesting, smart, kind, funny man who made incredible records. I loved those Cars albums when I was a teenager. Perfect pop songs with those wicked elliot… https://t.co/SjtRU8OaJO
— Flea (@flea333) September 16, 2019
Rest In Peace Ric Ocasek – This song has always been one of my favorites. The Cars – Drive https://t.co/F3yKBpSa0l
— Tom Green (@tomgreenlive) September 16, 2019
https://twitter.com/donallogue/status/1173397042137190402
https://twitter.com/donallogue/status/1173398660467458049
Oh man, Ric Ocasek. 😢
— Elijah Wood (@elijahwood) September 16, 2019
Rest In Peace Ric Ocasek💔 pic.twitter.com/fMdyBLBtjA
— brandon flowers pics (@brandonflowpics) September 16, 2019
The first Cars album is literally perfect; there might not be a better debut ever. The rest of the catalog is untouchable.
Ric Ocasek was the architect. Nobody could combine pop hits with straight up weirdness like he could.
What a body of work, what a cool guy. Rest in power.
— scharpling (@scharpling) September 16, 2019
https://twitter.com/rainnwilson/status/1173404086273658881
The Bad Brains blew my mind but when I turned their album Rock For Light over to the back & found out Ric Ocasek of The Cars produced it, my world was set on fire. After that I didn’t give a fuck about “guilty pleasures” or what other people thought was cool.
R.I.P. Ric Ocasek pic.twitter.com/2WLZQ4xvD4— Danko Jones (@dankojones) September 16, 2019
Ric Ocasek… I’m 😞 so sad. The Cars are a big part of my musical love affair. He was amazing and will be missed. The music of The Cars will inspire people and move people forever. My prayers go to his family friends and all the fans.
— Carnie Wilson (@CarnieWilson) September 16, 2019
In the late 70’s, in between my obsessions for Kiss, the Ramones, The Clash & The Sex Pistols, I also was a big fan of The Pretenders, the B-52’s, the Police, Devo & The Cars…the 1st two albums are classics from start to finish. Sad to hear of Ric Ocasek’s passing #RIPRicOcasek pic.twitter.com/mlIBnVVL80
— Mike Portnoy 🤘 (@MikePortnoy) September 16, 2019
Aw, man. RIP #ricocasek and thank you for the songs on “Heartbeat City” alone. You were a true original.
— Richard Marx (@richardmarx) September 16, 2019
RIP #RickOcasek
— Bobby Lee (@bobbyleelive) September 16, 2019