The Cars will be joined by such musical acts as Bon Jovi, Dire Straits, The Moody Blues, as well as the late Nina Simone, and the late Sister Rosetta Tharpe (who will receive the award for “Early Influence.”
On their upcoming induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Class of 2018, Robinson said, “It was great! We have been nominated twice before. The anticipation factor has worn off a little bit. We were very thrilled.”
Regarding the key to longevity in the music industry, Robinson said, “It always comes down to songs. We were lucky that we were accepted as classic rock, and that format can keep your audience for decades.”
For aspiring drummers and musicians, his advice is as follows: “Don’t give up! Be wise enough to understand that if you don’t have talent you might try something else.”
On the impact of technology in the music industry, Robinson said, “Good music is good music. It is different how people can find their music, but it’s the same. Commercial music has gotten more commercial, and underground music has gotten more underground.”
Robinson is pleased with the fact that vinyls are back in style. “I design covers and the packages. I love the fact that vinyl is popular. That is what I’m working on right now. They make much fancier packages, so they can charge more (for the limited editions), and it’s a little more artful.”
He noted that he does not have a personal favorite song from his musical catalog with The Cars. “I like everything that we did,” he said. “The first three albums are really good!”
Robinson shared that he is excited to reunite with his former band-mates at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame ceremony this April, which will take place in Cleveland, Ohio. “I think we will play three songs. We got back together in 2011. We did a short tour to promote that record,” he said, referring to their seventh studio album Move Like This.
For his dedicated rock fans, who have supported The Cars, he said, “Thanks for the support. If they didn’t like it, our music wouldn’t have gotten anywhere.”
Robinson defined the word success as “contentment.” He operates an art gallery in Massachusetts, where he sells jewelry that he makes himself. “I do it for fun. I like to create artwork, and I make jewelry and I sell it here in my shop,” he said.
To learn more about The Cars, check out their official Facebook page.
