Big People live at Rocktoberfest, Pompano Beach, FL, 1999

October 29, 1999: Big People opened up for Sammy Hagar and Styx at Rocktoberfest in Pompano Beach, Florida. I'm so grateful for this footage, shot by Chris Leonti and passed on to me by Jon Mortas. The ad at the beginning of the video ran on October 15 and 22, 1999, in the Palm Beach Post.

This video is being uploaded as a supplement for an article I wrote about The Cars. Because the purpose is to non-commercially educate and offer a critical assessment, it is being uploaded under the terms of Fair Use. No copyright infringement intended.

[donnasweetpurplejune]

These guys are amazing!! What do you think is the most rockin' part of this video?

[pc]

Ben was still rockin it here!! There definately will only be one Ben Orr ever!! His beautiful looks, talent and a humble, gentle man, courageous to the end. It is hard to think that less than one year from this concert he will be love you always!!

[catmip]

I keep yelling at that guy who keeps standing up during Drive to just sit down for crying out loud! But seriously Ben sounded amazing here. I love he still has some of the mannerisms he had when he was younger. I like how he’s not a flashy musician he just stands there and does his thing. But still is so mesmerizing. And just seems so much more relaxed and enjoying himself. Miss him.

[jimmyz]

Wow! Just wow. To see the great Jeff Carlisis on stage with Ben Orr, Derek St Holmes, Liberty Devito and Pat Travers.... on stage together, and rocking like this? Man. I would have loved to have witnessed this. Incredible!

[eliseleslie]

If I'm not mistaken, the Big People family was there to aid, assist & comfort Ben & Julie in his dying days. What a bunch of stand-up guys!

[tempebill]

..bittersweet..learning about Ben and the Cars this last half- year.
I, probably like many, thought Ric was the band's focus in '78 and thru the 80s -and sang 'Drive', one of my favorite songs along with some others of theirs...but no- a bandmate that passed away in '00
-of cancer ..I learned-someone named Ben Orr-
Now, I have a much better understanding of the outstanding contributions of the other members and their wonderful talents that made the Cars what they were..
Strangely, I came to YouTube to find out who did the tight drumming for this band..so David okay great..then the synthesizer guy..Greg- drew me in..and decided he gave the band its 'new wave sound along with Ric's qwuerky voice..then I became familiar with the left-handed Elliot's guitar ..fantastic!! delicious licks that brought flavor and interest to each song..so young in '78(25)..super talented-
..and then there was Ben-
Someone that exuded such a presence on stage that few have..and- HE sang my favorite Cars song's including Drive...
Unpretentious - not full of himself..even humble I found out..
I wouldn't even be here if he was an ass..but he was anything but-
So - from the college gigs in '78..to 'Lace'
.. to playin softball ..to that last interview that endeared me to him even more- for the courage he displayed ..my focus became Ben-
But for YT and those like you Donna..the Cars and especially Ben- now occupy a piece of my consciousness and my heart --
Thankyou so much-

[shellyharris]

He definitely still had a great voice, and only a year before he passed, not to mention he could still really rock those black leather pants! I'm glad he basically went out with his boots on, literally and figuratively.

[MasseyVF]

So much talent on one stage - sounds like they had a great time playing together. Dear Ben - still stepping into the background unless he's at the microphone - but he still shone ❤❤❤ Thanks for this 🙏

[April-pwub]

Watching this you can see the change in Ben. He looks better, more energized and truly loves these guys .

[everybodytalks]

Thank you so much for this rare footage. My husband and I went to see them in Ft. Myers the following day. We were so honored to have seen Ben Orr Live in concert before his passing. RIP Ben ❤️

[Classic_Rock_Station]

00:00 Just What The Doctor Ordered (Ted Nugent)
04:00 Just What I Needed (The Cars)
07:45 Caught Up In You (38 Special)
13:00 I La La La Love You (Pat Travers)
17:18 Hey Baby (Ted Nugent)
21:40 Let's Go (The Cars)
25:55 Hold On Loosely (38 Special)
30:50 Drive (The Cars)
35:08 Boom Boom (Out Go The Lights) (Pat Travers)

[keyguy]

Pat Travers and Ben Orr, wow just wow! Too bad I was never able to see this fantastic band.

[NoOne-krjc]

This is like going back in a time machine. Everything is certainly so 90s here.

[kellycollins]

Wow! This is great...and about one year later Benjamin was gone! He sounds great here too!

[sbrave]

Never knew about this supergroup until....today. Great mix of players. RIP Ben Orr

[pechejanuary]

Thanks so much for the video...I love you Ben🙏🙏🙏🙏 my 😇🙏🙏🙏🙏

[paulaann]

Thank you so much Donna for posting this video and for all you do and have done for helping us to know Ben better <3

[prii]

His voice sounded so good even at the end of his life ❤

[shorthandable]

Pat Travers is perhaps the only person who can pull off an Elliot Easton guitar solo.

[DISCODAN]

Ben was rocking right up to the end of his life! He had the perfect rock n roll voice!