The Cars

“This inside account of the life of a rock band bristles with extravagant details and penetrating insights, much like his masterpiece biography of Leon Russell, but Bill Janovitz’s The Cars: Let the Stories Be Told persuasively makes the case for the Cars as one of the essential American rock bands of their day. Janovitz brings a fellow musician’s perspective, a scholar’s depth and a fan’s enthusiasm to this riveting, rollercoaster ride of the entire bell curve of the storied band’s epic career.” —Joel Selvin, author of Altamont and Fare Thee Well

“Like The Cars, I was born in Ohio in the late seventies. I grew up listening to their cool, stylized, slightly unnerving songs, but now, thanks to Bill Janovitz, the records sound new to me. With The Cars: Let the Stories Be Told, Janovitz has given us a meticulously researched and satisfyingly granular portrait of the band, the history, the personalities, and the unmistakable sound. And what a writer! He had me on page one.”—Maggie Smith, author of Keep Moving and You Could Make This Place Beautiful

“I loved The Cars and followed their career from beginning to end, and I loved this book. Well written and researched, it captures the rock scene from the hippie days to new wave. It also stands as a cautionary tale about how not to run a band. All band dynamics are slippery, but I have always believed that everybody in a great band should be valued and rewarded.”—Peter Buck, R.E.M.

“A comprehensive look at the New Wave band from Boston that charmed the world. … Janovitz’s writing about the band’s music is wonderful—he is himself a Boston-area musician, the singer-songwriter for Buffalo Tom, and brings ample context to the Cars’ oeuvre. This is a superb rock biography, a must for anyone with even a passing interest in pop music.” —Kirkus Reviews (STARRED)

“[The Cars] sings on many levels but especially when Janovitz writes about the making of the albums, including the band’s eponymous debut album that captured The Cars signature sound, unpretentious with memorable hooks, hypnotizing synths, rumbling drums, and clever lyrics ... Fans will appreciate this fine book as a lasting homage. Let the good times roll, indeed.”—Booklist

“The quintessential new wave band gets a biography that’s as exhaustive as it is perceptive…. Bill Janovitz peels back [the] cool veneer, drawing deft, distinct portraits of five bandmates who shared little beyond musical chemistry. Punctuating his history with cogent criticism and personal anecdotes, Janovitz details the group’s long, winding path to the top of the charts.”—MOJO Magazine

"Captures their brief but shining career...a definitive new book...The Cars’ influence is long and deep, as Janovitz makes clear.”—Boston Globe

 "A new biography on the New Wave crew underlines their unsung importance—everyone from the Strokes to the Killers to Nirvana took lessons out of Ric Ocasek’s playbook. ... Janovitz has underlined the unsung importance of an American rock band that usually doesn’t come up in conversations about important American rock bands...The Cars are just about as ubiquitous as the Eagles or Fleetwood Mac, even if they don’t garner the same name recognition."
 —Steven Hyden, The Ringer

"The definitive story of The Cars."—Rolling Stone

"In The Cars: Let the Stories Be Told, Bill Janovitz offers an opportunity to get to know a band whose sound is more familiar than its members...an insider’s account. Janovitiz is adept at bringing the band’s sound to life...and his enthusiasm is contagious."
 —Alan Paul, The Wall Street Journal

"Bill Janovitz’ new book, The Cars: Let The Stories Be Told, considers the band, their contexts, and their consequences in compelling detail. Not only does he pay attention to the creative journeys and personal lives of members...he places them within a rock ‘n’ roll world and lineage that makes this remarkable, seemingly singular band a part of larger communities and enduring conversations."
 —No Fences

A BEST MUSIC BOOK OF 2025 "Virtually everything you could possibly want to know and more besides, resulting in an exhaustive history...a multilayered portrait of a brilliant yet complicated artist emerges."—Variety

"An exceptional job getting to the heart of what made The Cars so beloved and influential...highly recommended for all Cars fans."
 —Desert Star Weekly