Ric Ocasek, frontman of rock band The Cars, has been found dead in a Manhattan apartment.
According to the New York City police department, the star was found by officers responding to a 911 call of an “unresponsive male” at around 4pm local time yesterday.
The 75-year-old was identified by police and was pronounced dead at the scene.
While the city’s medical examiner is yet to determine a cause of death, officials say there are no signs of foul play.
The Cars became hugely popular in the late 1970s and early 80s, with hits including ‘My Best Friend's Girl’, ‘Just What I Needed’, ‘Shake It Up’ and ‘Drive’.
The rock band was a mainstay of MTV in its early days, and their video for ‘Double Life’ was the 21st video ever played on the channel.
The Cars were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame last year.
Ric married supermodel Paulina Porizkova after meeting her during the music video shoot for the 1984 hit ”Drive."
They went on to have two sons together but separated last year after 28 years of marriage.
Rick also had four other sons from previous relationships.
Known for his floppy black hair, Ric founded the rock band in 1976 but went on to forge a solo career in 1988 after the group split.
Tributes have already begun flooding Twitter , with New Pornographer’s Carl Newman leading the messages.
He said: “I will never stop imitating the first Cars album. His influence will always stay with me. RIP and Thank You to Ric Ocasek.”
Drummer Mike Portnoy wrote: “In the late 70’s, in between my obsessions for Kiss, the Ramones, The Clash & The Sex Pistols, I also was a big fan of The Pretenders, the B-52’s, the Police, Devo & The Cars...the 1st two albums are classics from start to finish. Sad to hear of Ric Ocasek’s passing #RIPRicOcasek”.
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