Cheap Trick
Cheap Trick is an American rock band from Rockford, Illinois, formed in 1973 by guitarist Rick Nielsen, bassist Tom Petersson, lead vocalist Robin Zander and drummer Bun E. Carlos.[a][4] The current lineup of the band consists of Zander, Nielsen and Petersson. Their work bridged elements of '60s guitar pop, hard rock, and punk rock, and would help set the template for subsequent power pop artists.[5]
Cheap Trick
Rockford, Illinois, U.S.
1973–present
- Epic
- Warner Bros.
- Red Ant
- Big3
- Big Machine
- Bun E. Carlos[a][2][3]
- Jon Brant
- Pete Comita
- Randy Hogan
Cheap Trick released their self-titled debut album in 1977 and, later that year, found success in Japan with the release of their second album, In Color. 1978's Heaven Tonight included the power pop classic "Surrender". The band achieved mainstream popularity in the United States in 1979 with the triple-platinum live album At Budokan and a Top 10 single, a live recording of "I Want You to Want Me".[6] They followed with Dream Police (1979), their most commercially successful studio album, reaching No. 6 on the Billboard 200 chart.[7] After struggling with declining popularity and lineup changes in the 1980s, Cheap Trick experienced a major resurgence toward the end of the decade when they topped the US charts with the power ballad "The Flame".
The band has continued releasing new music into the 21st century and maintains a constant touring schedule, having performed live more than 5,000 times since their formation.[8] Cheap Trick have sold more than 20 million albums[9] and built a dedicated cult following. Their influence has been cited by a diverse range of rock artists from both the mainstream and underground.[10] The band was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2016.
History[edit]
Origins and early years (1969–1977)[edit]
In 1967, Rick Nielsen formed Fuse with Tom Peterson (later known as Tom Petersson), who had played in another Rockford, Illinois, band called The Bo Weevils.[11] With Bun E. Carlos joining on drums, Fuse moved to Philadelphia in 1971. From 1972 to 1973, they called themselves Sick Man of Europe.[11] After a European tour in 1973, Nielsen and Petersson returned to Rockford and reunited with Carlos.[12][13] According to Rolling Stone, the band adopted the name Cheap Trick on August 15, 1973.[10] The name was inspired by the band's attendance at a Slade concert, where Petersson commented that Slade used "every cheap trick in the book" as part of their act.[14]
Randy "Xeno" Hogan was the original lead singer for Cheap Trick. He left the band shortly after its formation and was replaced by Robin Zander.[11][15]
Legacy[edit]
In 2016, Cheap Trick was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. The induction ceremony was held at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York on April 8, and the band was introduced by Kid Rock.[48] Zander, Nielsen, Petersson, and Carlos were in attendance; with Carlos on drums, the band performed "I Want You to Want Me", "Dream Police", "Surrender" and "Ain't That a Shame".[48][49]
Cheap Trick have been cited as an influence on several artists in the alternative rock and power pop genre, including Nirvana, Green Day, Pearl Jam, and Smashing Pumpkins.[10][57]
