Guitarist From Iconic ‘80s Band Shares Proud Moment Involving Late Rock Legend

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Guitarist From Iconic ‘80s Band Shares Proud Moment Involving Late Rock Legend originally appeared on Parade.

Cars guitarist Elliot Easton took to Instagram on July 15 to share a proud moment involving his former band and the late John Lennon.

“John Lennon mentions The Cars in his final interview,” Easton posted along with a link to hear the audio from the interview on YouTube and the mention of the Cars song at the 6:57 mark.

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Easton’s post also included a photo of a Kindle with the text from that final interview, which was conducted by Dave Sholin of RKO Radio on Dec. 8, 1980. Lennon was shot and killed just hours after the interview in the entry way of the Dakota apartments in New York City.

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In the interview, Lennon talks about the music that he was enjoying at the time.

“Bruce Springsteen’s ‘Hungry Heart’—which I think is a great record—is to me the same kind of period sound as ‘Starting Over.’” Lennon said in the interview. “I think the Cars’ “Touch and Go’ is right out of the ‘50s. [Sings] ‘Uh, uh, oh…’ That new wave, a lot of it is ‘50s stuff. But with the ‘80s styling, and that’s what I think ‘Starting Over’ is: it’s a ‘50s song made with an ‘80s approach.”

Related: Former Cars Guitarist Shares He ‘Used to Play the Same Guitar as Kid in Kars4Kids Commercial’

Fans were quick to comment on Easton’s post.

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“I went to Ben Orr’s grave yesterday…so amazing!!! Love John Lennon and love The Cars ❤️❤️,” one fan wrote, referring to the late Cars singer-bassist who died on Oct. 3, 2000 after a battle with pancreatic cancer.

“That's one of the things I love about the Cars' music - it has flavours of the 50s, 60s, 70s, 80s,New Wave, Punk & more- so skilfully blended 🙌🔥❤️,” another fan posted.

“Of course, John Lennon listened to the Cars 🔥,” another fan commented.

“Elliot’s guitar is instantly identifiable the man has style for miles🔥,” another wrote.

“(Just Like) Starting Over” was Lennon’s comeback single featured on his collaborative album with wife Yoko Ono, Double Fantasy. The album went on to top the charts following Lennon’s death.

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The Cars song “Touch and Go” appeared on their third album, 1980’s Panorama. It cracked the top 40 of the Billboard Hot 100, peaking at No. 37.

Easton’s late Cars’ bandmate singer-guitarist Ric Ocasek credited him with the song’s trademark solo in a 1980 interview with Circus magazine. “Elliot came into the studio one day during the sessions with the solo for 'Touch and Go' on a cassette. No music, just the solo. He'd recorded it by himself in his hotel room. When we put the solo on top of the track, it sounded great,” he said.

Guitarist From Iconic ‘80s Band Shares Proud Moment Involving Late Rock Legend first appeared on Parade on Jul 16, 2025

This story was originally reported by Parade on Jul 16, 2025, where it first appeared.