Let the Stories Be Told: A Conversation with Author Bill Janovitz and Members of the Cars
Let the Stories Be Told book cover
Image courtesy of Berklee College of Music
Bill Janovitz
Image courtesy of the artist
Join us for an intimate evening celebrating The Cars: Let the Stories Be Told, the definitive biography of one of the most beloved and influential bands to emerge from the New Wave era. Author Bill Janovitz—a New York Times bestselling biographer and founding member of Buffalo Tom—delves deep into the sound, vision, and legacy of the Cars in conversation with band members. Legendary Boston DJ Oedipus will host the evening.
Janovitz’s richly detailed book traces the band’s roots as five journeymen musicians who collided in late-’70s Boston and crafted a groundbreaking sound that would earn them a spot in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. Drawing on exclusive interviews and the enthusiastic participation of the band, Janovitz chronicles their rise, their impact on the Boston music scene, and the inner tensions that shaped—and ultimately unraveled—their story.
Joining the conversation are two original members of the Cars—David Robinson and Greg Hawkes.
Robinson, drummer and founding member of the Cars, helped define the band’s visual and musical identity. A former member of influential pre-punk bands the Modern Lovers and DMZ, Robinson brought a driving, minimalist style to the Cars’s rhythm section and played a key role in shaping their sleek, futuristic image. His art school background and eye for design made him instrumental in the band’s iconic album aesthetics, including Candy-O.
Keyboardist Hawkes was the architect behind the Cars’s signature synth-driven sound. Known for his pioneering use of technology and layered textures, Hawkes infused the band’s hits with inventive riffs and melodic hooks that bridged the gap between rock and new wave. A multi-instrumentalist and Berklee alum, he also played saxophone, guitar, and backing vocals, contributing to the Cars’s distinctive sonic blend. Following the success of the Cars, Hawkes has remained active as a session player, solo artist, and collaborator.
Oedipus, the trailblazing radio voice who first brought punk and New Wave to Boston’s airwaves, lends his iconic presence to the conversation. As longtime WBCN program director and host of the cult-favorite Nocturnal Emissions, Oedipus helped launch countless artists and made Boston a hub for cutting-edge music. A member of the Massachusetts Broadcasters Hall of Fame, his Christmas Eve broadcast is a local tradition, and his ongoing work at the Oedipus Project continues to champion new and experimental music.
All paid general admission tickets include a signed copy of The Cars: Let the Stories Be Told.