53 books
—
8 voters
Goodreads helps you keep track of books you want to read.
Start by marking “Let's Go!: Benjamin Orr and The Cars” as Want to Read:
Let's Go!: Benjamin Orr and The Cars
by
"When Ben got out of the hospital he said, 'When I fall down and can't pick myself up we'll know it's over. Until then, we rock!'" - Jeff Carlisi Benjamin Orr was the co-founder, co-lead singer, and bassist for the platinum-selling rock band The Cars. Often considered the band's heartthrob, Orr possessed an incredible voice, diverse musical talent, and rare stage presence,
...more
Get A Copy
Hardcover, 248 pages
Published
November 15th 2018
by Rowman & Littlefield Publishers
(first published November 2018)
Friend Reviews
To see what your friends thought of this book,
please sign up.
Reader Q&A
To ask other readers questions about
Let's Go!,
please sign up.
Be the first to ask a question about Let's Go!
Community Reviews
Showing 1-30

Start your review of Let's Go!: Benjamin Orr and The Cars

Let’s Go! Benjamin Orr and The Cars
This was a well-researched book about The Cars and Benjamin Orr, born Orzechowski aka “Benny 11-Letters” because so many of his friends and acquaintances had trouble pronouncing his name. He was almost universally liked as he was making his way in the music business, seemingly a genuinely nice and caring man. Ben was also quite talented when it came to singing and drumming, and learning other musical instruments from what many of his friends had to say in the b ...more
This was a well-researched book about The Cars and Benjamin Orr, born Orzechowski aka “Benny 11-Letters” because so many of his friends and acquaintances had trouble pronouncing his name. He was almost universally liked as he was making his way in the music business, seemingly a genuinely nice and caring man. Ben was also quite talented when it came to singing and drumming, and learning other musical instruments from what many of his friends had to say in the b ...more

Any retrospective on the late 1970s and 1980s HAS to include some focus on the new wave rock legends, The Cars. A debut album that stayed on the charts for 139 consecutive weeks, winners of the first MTV “Video of the Year” award in 1984, creators of what would become the haunting signature song for Live Aid (“Drive”) — they are more than deserving of their 2018 induction in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.
While all five guys generally resisted the limelight, bassist Benjamin Orr was arguably the m ...more
While all five guys generally resisted the limelight, bassist Benjamin Orr was arguably the m ...more

I grew up in the 80s and the Cars were my favorite band, but I always felt like I was the only kid in the world whose favorite member of the Cars was Ben Orr. I thought Ben's bass playing was underrated and his vocals were not featured on enough songs in the Cars catalog. I even met Ben in the 1990s when he was playing a concert with his band "ORR" at South Station in Boston. Very randomly, as I got off the train for the concert, I saw Ben all by himself tuning his guitar. I approached him (call
...more

Joe Milliken spent 11 years working on this book, but the words aren't his.
Instead, the story of Benjamin Orzechowski is told by family, friends and peers. Joe merely serves as your tour guide; ensuring chronology and clarity along the way.
But 'merely' is a misnomer. What he actually does is reconcile the inherently-human trait of faulty memories and vague recollections from years past with actual events, moments and circumstances, all the while dealing with... what turns out to be... an emotion ...more
Instead, the story of Benjamin Orzechowski is told by family, friends and peers. Joe merely serves as your tour guide; ensuring chronology and clarity along the way.
But 'merely' is a misnomer. What he actually does is reconcile the inherently-human trait of faulty memories and vague recollections from years past with actual events, moments and circumstances, all the while dealing with... what turns out to be... an emotion ...more

Oct 09, 2019
Tia Murrell
rated it
it was amazing
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
favourite-books-ever
This will be a long review as I treasure this book so much.
I have been a fan of The Cars since I first heard their music & a huge fan of Benjamin Orr since I saw him perform Let's Go on a music video with The Cars. The B Bomb had exploded. The late legendary Benjamin Orr (born Benjamin Orzechowski) was the co-founder, co-lead singer, and bassist of the famous band The Cars. Benjamin possessed not only a phenomenal voice, incredible range and warmth to his tone, perfect pitch and delivery, he pos ...more
I have been a fan of The Cars since I first heard their music & a huge fan of Benjamin Orr since I saw him perform Let's Go on a music video with The Cars. The B Bomb had exploded. The late legendary Benjamin Orr (born Benjamin Orzechowski) was the co-founder, co-lead singer, and bassist of the famous band The Cars. Benjamin possessed not only a phenomenal voice, incredible range and warmth to his tone, perfect pitch and delivery, he pos ...more

It’s an excellent book, and was VERY tastefully done by its author. Joe Milliken put his heart and soul into it, while maintaining respect for Benjamin’s privacy, as well as his respect for the relationships he developed with those generous enough to offer an interview and photos. If you’re looking for a “gossipy tell-all,” this isn’t for you. If you’re looking for an accurate and tasteful account of Ben’s life, passion for music, selflessness and loyalty to those he knew and loved, then don’t h
...more

This wonderful and extraordinarily written book tells of the totally gorgeous, humble, greatly talented and hugely missed Benjamin Orr from his beginnings all the way up to Rock and Roll fame from those who knew him. Intricately detailed in every page about Ben's life and his passion for music and a huge amount of photos throughout. I can't thank you enough Joe Milliken for all of your years of research to write this book in highest honor to Benjamin Orr!!
...more

Sometimes you just want to read a book that brings back fond memories. This is one of them. As a much younger person, I loved The Cars. Fantastic music that you could sing along with, dance to, you know...just happy music.
This is the biography of the lead singer and made for an interesting tale.
I received an Advance Review Copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
This is the biography of the lead singer and made for an interesting tale.
I received an Advance Review Copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

Let's Go!: Benjamin Orr and The Cars from Joe Milliken is the type of entertainment biography I would like to see more of. It is well-researched, it is less about gossip and more about the subject (in this case Benjamin Orr), and it respects what the subject would have likely wanted without being a shallow white-washing. Orr was a private person and so the lack of the types of things he didn't care to share during his life is, for me, respectful. If he never cared to share what he did after conc
...more

Joe Milliken has completed a magnificent telling of the life of Ben Orr.
As a 14 year old, I became mesmerised with Ben's voice and of course with all those incredible Cars songs. Like millions of others, I felt an odd kinship with this incredible artist, that has remained with me to this day.
I too am a musician, and I am now the exact age that Ben was when he passed away.
The beautiful anecdotes, stories and testimonies from his band mates, friends and family, have confirmed what I have unknowi ...more
As a 14 year old, I became mesmerised with Ben's voice and of course with all those incredible Cars songs. Like millions of others, I felt an odd kinship with this incredible artist, that has remained with me to this day.
I too am a musician, and I am now the exact age that Ben was when he passed away.
The beautiful anecdotes, stories and testimonies from his band mates, friends and family, have confirmed what I have unknowi ...more

I love this book written by Joe Milliken. At first I was a little concerned with the inclusion of views of so many people, but it didn't take long before I realised we were seeing the life of the brilliant Benjamin Orr through the eyes of these people (friends and colleagues) who knew him well, and the vast majority of them loved him. He was outrageously talented and startling beautiful, and, as a couple of his fellow Cars told us, he was the real rock star of the group and there are lots of vid
...more

Great Book! This book describes the life of one of The Cars best-kept secrets and what made them such a popular band of the 1980's. It is a classy and informative book about The Cars bassist/ singer Benjamin Orr. It includes many interviews from some of his closest friends and puts aside any ideas that he was anything but a kind, private human being who spent his life doing what he loved the most...playing music. This book includes never seen before pictures of his life before and after the Cars
...more

This book needed to be told. Benjamin Orr was way ahead of his time. He had the talent. He played numerous instruments, wrote music, had one of the most awesome voices in music, he could sing anything perfectly, very humble and best of all, to this day, the most gorgeous man to step up to the mike. You can't keep your eyes off him. Benjamin Orr is the ultimate rock star. He had it all. Joe Milliken, the author of this book did his homework. The Cars are my favorite band. This book blew me away w
...more

A must read for any fan of Benjamin Orr/The Cars. Ben was there from the beginning to the end...the perfect rock star on stage...the best friend anyone could have offstage. Love the stories from his relatives, friends & former band mates all compiled into this book from so many interviews personally conducted by the author, Joe Milliken. I felt the love he has for Benjamin while reading this book & am now a die hard never ending fan myself!

Was always interested in learning Ben's life story ever since becoming in love with The Cars and their music. Thankful for this biography on what comes across a very lovely, kind and generous man who never forgot his roots.
...more
There are no discussion topics on this book yet.
Be the first to start one »
Related Articles
Punk rock legend, Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee, award-winning writer, photographer, activist, and all-around Renaissance woman Patti Smith is...
188 likes · 24 comments
No trivia or quizzes yet. Add some now »