BELLOWS FALLS — Local music journalist Joe Milliken will co-host an author event and reception to celebrate the release of his first book, Let's Go! Benjamin Orr and The Cars, on Saturday, Nov. 17, at Village Square Booksellers on The Square.
Just published by Rowman & Littlefield Publishing Group, the book tells the story of the late co-founder, co-lead singer, and bassist for the platinum-selling, Boston-based rock band The Cars.
Often considered the band's heartthrob, Orr possessed an arresting voice, diverse musical talents, and a rare stage presence, all balanced by a magnetic yet enigmatic personality, striking good looks, and a relentless determination to reach rock stardom.
Born Benjamin Orzechowski and raised near Cleveland, Orr got his start as a “teen star” as a house-band musician for the nationally syndicated television show Upbeat.
Nearly a decade later, he would meet his musical partner and future Cars' bandleader, Ric Ocasek, and together they would go on to sell over 30 million albums worldwide, resulting in 15 Top 40 hits.
This first-ever biography of Orr was 11 years in the making, as Milliken drew together interviews with more than 120 family members, friends, bandmates, and music associates from Orr's life, as well as many unpublished and never-before-seen photos from private collections, to reveal an intimate portrait of one of classic rock's great talents.
Milliken has been a music journalist, editor, and website publisher for 20 years. A die-hard music fan with a degree in visual arts, he turned to writing as a creative outlet, first as a local reporter, then as a sports and arts-and-entertainment editor and freelancer.
In 2014, he launched Standing Room Only, a website dedicated to promoting music and the arts on a New England as well as national level. Milliken has resided in Bellows Falls for nearly 40 years with his wife, Kelly, and his children, Nate and Erin.
The book event will begin at 5 p.m. and will feature a question-and-answer session and book-signing, along with the music of The Cars and a slideshow of photos from the author's personal collection.
There will be a reception at Popolo restaurant following the author event. Books also will be available for purchase. Guests bringing their own copy of Let's Go! for signing will be expected to contribute a minimum of $5 to the Children's Literacy Foundation, collected at the bookstore.