Greg Hawkes

Greg Hawkes
Hawkes with the Cars in 1984
Background information
Birth name	Gregory A. Hawkes
Born	(1952-10-22) October 22, 1952 (age 71) Fulton, Maryland, U.S.
Genres	Rock pop rock new wave
Occupation(s)	Musician
Instrument(s)	Keyboards bass guitar guitar saxophone ukulele vocals
Years active	1969-present
Formerly of	The Cars

Gregory A. Hawkes (born October 22, 1952)^[1] is an American musician who is best known as the keyboardist and founding member of the American new wave band the Cars. Hawkes is credited with helping popularize new wave and synth-pop in American popular music as a member of the Cars.^[2]

Hawkes, a native of Fulton, Maryland, United States, attended Atholton High School where he played in a band called Teeth. He then attended Berklee College of Music for two years,^[3] majoring in composition and flute. He left to play in various bands, including Martin Mull and his Fabulous Furniture, where he played flute, saxophone, and clarinet. He also played in a band called Richard and the Rabbits, which included future Cars bandmates Ric Ocasek and Benjamin Orr.^[3] He was the last member to join the Cars.^[4] Hawkes was also in the New Cars with original Cars member Elliot Easton, along with vocalist/guitarist Todd Rundgren, bassist Kasim Sulton, and drummer Prairie Prince. In 2018, Hawkes was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a member of the Cars.^[5]