Ben Orr

Bassist and singer Ben Orr was born Benjamin Orzechowski on September 8, 1947 in Cleveland, Ohio. His Russian and Czechoslovakian parents actively encouraged his musical endeavors. Ben grew up in Lakewood and Parma Heights, Ohio. He played bass, keyboards, and percussion instruments in his teen years. Known locally as "Benny 11-Letters", Orr dropped out of Valley Forge High School to join the group, "The Grasshoppers", as both the lead singer and guitarist. "The Grasshoppers" were the house band on the local Cleveland TV music variety show, "Upbeat"; the group also released two singles on the Sunburst label and dissolved in 1967 after two members were drafted. Ben got drafted as well, but received a deferment after serving one and a half years in the Army. In 1970, Orr moved to Columbus, Ohio and met mellow musician, Ric Ocasek; the two formed a folk band called "Milkwood". "Milkwood" released an album, titled "How's the Weather?", in 1972. In the mid 70s, Ben became a member of the Bo