Since The Cars last toured in 1989, bassist Benjamin Orr passed away from cancer, and, despite discussions over the years, lead singer Ric Ocasek and drummer David Robinson have decided not to participate in a reunion. With the enduring popularity of The Cars, however, Elliot Easton and Greg Hawkes found momentum for a reformation with the interest of Todd Rundgren, a celebrated performer, songwriter, producer and technology groundbreaker with hits like "I Saw the Light," "Hello It's Me," "Can We Still Be Friends" and "Bang the Drum."

The momentum picked up steam with the addition of Rundgren's longtime Utopia bandmate, acclaimed bassist and singer/songwriter Kasim Sulton, who has played with the likes of Meat Loaf, Celine Dion, Hall & Oates, Ronnie Spector and the Indigo Girls in his distinguished career. Rounding out the five-piece band is Prairie Prince, who has embarked on a staggering 15 world tours in his career with pop/rock group The Tubes and recorded albums with a variety of rock's most notable musicians, seven with Rundgren.

As with other bands forced to replace their lead singers, such as AC/DC, Pink Floyd, Van Halen or most recently INXS, there was some trepidation about the group ringing true. But the first rehearsal session put everyone at ease. "It was incredible, like falling off a log," says Easton. "Todd did an unbelievable job with the music. And it sounded like The Cars. There was a lot of common ground. We all grew up on '60s pop music, the Beatles and Brian Wilson."