Red Hot Chili Peppers cover 'Just What I Needed' for Ric Ocasek California band honors late frontman of the Cars No description found
It's been a few days since lead singer Ric Ocasek of the new wave band The Cars died and tributes are still pouring in.
Artists like Weezer and The Killers have made tributes to 75-year-old Ocasek, who died unexpectedly on Sept. 15. The Red Hot Chili Peppers took their tribute to the next level by playing a cover of one of The Cars' greatest hits, "Just What I Needed" at a recent concert in Singapore.
RHCP bass player Flea posted a tribute to Ocasek on Instagram, writing, "What an interesting, smart, kind, funny man who made incredible records. I loved those Cars albums when I was a teenager. Perfect pop songs with those wicked Elliot Easton guitar solos. Absolute candy."
Flea sounds incredible on bass during the cover, and lead singer Anthony Kiedis does his best to hit those high notes Ocasek used to sing.
You can watch the fan-shot video of the cover here .
Graham Media Group 2019
About the Author Jack Roskopp headshot
Jack is a Digital Content Editor with a degree in creative writing and French from Western Michigan University. He specializes in writing about movies, food and the latest TV shows.
Nonprofits shelter homeless individuals during cold snap ▶ 1:31
Nonprofits shelter homeless individuals during cold snap
Community reaction after not-guilty verdict in former officer’s trial ▶ 1:59
Community reaction after not-guilty verdict in former officer’s trial
'Is there anything you want to say to the families?' 'No, not right now' ▶ 0:23
'Is there anything you want to say to the families?' 'No, not right now'
WATCH:Here's the moment ex-Uvalde CISD police officer Adrian Gonzales was found not guilty by a jury ▶ 0:57
WATCH:Here's the moment ex-Uvalde CISD police officer Adrian Gonzales was found not guilty by a jury
Hoax threat made to Northeast Side school causes fear, panic ▶ 0:54
Hoax threat made to Northeast Side school causes fear, panic
Developer says it wants to work with community to reimagine Lone Star Brewery site ▶ 0:30
Developer says it wants to work with community to reimagine Lone Star Brewery site
CPS Energy urges conservation during peak hours ahead of icy weekend ▶ 1:00
CPS Energy urges conservation during peak hours ahead of icy weekend
Bexar County helps family on verge of eviction after KSAT story ▶ 1:03
Bexar County helps family on verge of eviction after KSAT story
Northwest Side neighbor asks for expedited traffic light installation at ‘Dead Man’s Curve’ ▶ 1:54
Northwest Side neighbor asks for expedited traffic light installation at ‘Dead Man’s Curve’
Closing arguments set to begin in child endangerment trial of ex-Uvalde CISD police officer ▶ 1:10
Closing arguments set to begin in child endangerment trial of ex-Uvalde CISD police officer
Load of bees spilled during crash on I-35 likely headed to California, expert says ▶ 1:01
Load of bees spilled during crash on I-35 likely headed to California, expert says
Texas families can soon access state’s education savings account. Here’s how the process works ▶ 1:23
Texas families can soon access state’s education savings account. Here’s how the process works
San Antonio TikTok user shares ICE whereabouts to ‘help the community’ ▶ 1:03
San Antonio TikTok user shares ICE whereabouts to ‘help the community’
Wemby says NBA needs more bald players ▶ 0:12
Wemby says NBA needs more bald players
‘We’re all united’: Sights and sounds from San Antonio’s 39th annual MLK March ▶ 0:49
‘We’re all united’: Sights and sounds from San Antonio’s 39th annual MLK March
City refills San Antonio River Walk after crews clean out trash ▶ 0:28
City refills San Antonio River Walk after crews clean out trash
Former MLK Commission chair discusses march's cultural significance ▶ 0:43
Former MLK Commission chair discusses march's cultural significance
Sights and Sounds from MLK March 2026: NEMI House of Glory previews performance ▶ 0:28
Sights and Sounds from MLK March 2026: NEMI House of Glory previews performance
First-time MLK March attendee shares atmosphere experience, reason for attending ▶ 0:57
First-time MLK March attendee shares atmosphere experience, reason for attending
County expedites financial assistance for family at risk of eviction after KSAT report, judge says ▶ 1:23
County expedites financial assistance for family at risk of eviction after KSAT report, judge says
3 undocumented immigrants detained after chase; 1 at large in human smuggling operation, BCSO says ▶ 0:39
3 undocumented immigrants detained after chase; 1 at large in human smuggling operation, BCSO says
3D animation traces Robb gunman’s approximate steps ▶ 1:28
3D animation traces Robb gunman’s approximate steps
Restaurant Weeks officially returns to San Antonio ▶ 1:01
Restaurant Weeks officially returns to San Antonio
🐝 Big rig spills load of bees on highway 🐝 ▶ 0:44
🐝 Big rig spills load of bees on highway 🐝
🏗️ NO LAND BRIDGE?🚧 ▶ 0:35
🏗️ NO LAND BRIDGE?🚧
Previous photo Next photo