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* [[Pete Comita]]
* [[Pete Comita]]
* [[Randy Hogan]]
* [[Randy Hogan]]
* [[Bun E. Carlos]]
| current_members =
| current_members =
* [[Robin Zander]]
* [[Robin Zander]]
* [[Rick Nielsen]]
* [[Rick Nielsen]]
* [[Tom Petersson]]
* [[Tom Petersson]]
* [[Daxx Nielsen]]
* [[Bun E. Carlos]]<ref group=lower-alpha name=carlos>As of 2016, Bun E. Carlos remains a one-quarter owner of Cheap Trick and a member of the band, but no longer records or tours with the band. Daxx Nielsen became the band's touring drummer in 2010 and had continued in that capacity as of 2016. Nielsen also played drums on the band's 2016 album ''[[Bang, Zoom, Crazy... Hello]]'' and the band's 2017 album ''[[We're All Alright!]]''.</ref><ref name="auto1" /><ref name="auto6">{{cite newspaper |first=Georgette |last=Braun |title=3 Cheap Trick members countersue original drummer |date=September 4, 2013 |newspaper=[[Rockford Register Star]]|location=Rockford, Illinois |url=http://www.rrstar.com/x1367237388/3-Cheap-Trick-members-countersue-original-drummer |accessdate=2014-01-18}}</ref>
}}


'''Cheap Trick''' is an American [[Rock music|rock]] band from [[Rockford, Illinois]], formed in 1973. The band's classic lineup consisted of frontman [[Robin Zander]], guitarist [[Rick Nielsen]], bassist [[Tom Petersson]], and drummer [[Bun E. Carlos]].<ref group=lower-alpha name=carlos/><ref>{{cite newspaper|url=https://www.rrstar.com/article/20160411/SPECIAL/160419971|title=Cheap Trick: 'New guy' Daxx Nielsen has known bandmates his whole life|first=Corina|last=Curry|date= |newspaper=Rockford Register Star}}</ref>
'''Cheap Trick''' is an American [[Rock music|rock]] band from [[Rockford, Illinois]], formed in 1973. The band's classic lineup consisted of frontman [[Robin Zander]], guitarist [[Rick Nielsen]], bassist [[Tom Petersson]], and drummer [[Bun E. Carlos]].<ref group=lower-alpha name=carlos/><ref>{{cite newspaper|url=https://www.rrstar.com/article/20160411/SPECIAL/160419971|title=Cheap Trick: 'New guy' Daxx Nielsen has known bandmates his whole life|first=Corina|last=Curry|date= |newspaper=Rockford Register Star}}</ref>

Revision as of 01:55, 28 August 2020

{{Infobox musical artist | name = Cheap Trick | image = Cheaptrick1.jpg | caption = Cheap Trick performing in 1978 in Charlotte, North Carolina, at the Park Center | alt = | landscape = Yes | background = group_or_band | origin = Rockford, Illinois, United States

| genre =

| occupation = | years_active = 1973–present

| label =

| associated_acts =

| website = cheaptrick.com | past_members =

| current_members =

Cheap Trick is an American rock band from Rockford, Illinois, formed in 1973. The band's classic lineup consisted of frontman Robin Zander, guitarist Rick Nielsen, bassist Tom Petersson, and drummer Bun E. Carlos.[a][2]

Cheap Trick released its debut album, Cheap Trick, in 1977 and found success in Japan with the release of its second album, In Color, later that year. The band would achieve mainstream popularity in the United States in 1979 with its breakthrough album Cheap Trick at Budokan. Cheap Trick reached the Top 10 in the U.S. charts in 1979 with the Budokan live version of "I Want You to Want Me" and topped the charts in 1988 with "The Flame".

Cheap Trick has performed live more than 3,700 times[3] and has sold more than 20 million albums.[4] Over the course of its career, Cheap Trick has experienced several resurgences of popularity.

Cheap Trick was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2016.

History

Origins and early years (1969–1977)

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.[5] With Bun E. Carlos joining on drums, Fuse moved to Philadelphia in 1971. They began calling themselves "Sick Man of Europe" in 1972–1973.[5] After a European tour in 1973, Nielsen and Petersson returned to Rockford and reunited with Carlos.[6][7] According to Rolling Stone, the band adopted the name "Cheap Trick" on August 25, 1973.[8] The name was inspired by the band's attendance at a Slade concert, where Petersson commented that the band used "every cheap trick in the book" as part of their act.[9]

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.[5][dubious – discuss]

Nielsen and Petersson performing in 1977

With Robin Zander now on vocals, the band recorded a demo in 1975 and played in warehouses, bowling alleys, and various other venues around the midwestern United States. The band was signed to Epic Records in early 1976.[citation needed] The band released its first album, Cheap Trick, in early 1977. While favored by critics, the album did not sell well.[5] The album's lone single, "Oh, Candy", failed to chart, as did the album. Their second album, In Color, was released later that year. The singles "I Want You To Want Me" and "Southern Girls" failed to chart. However, in 2012, In Color was ranked No. 443 on Rolling Stone magazine's list of the 500 greatest albums of all time.[10]

Budokan brings success (1978–1980)

When Cheap Trick toured in Japan for the first time in April 1978, they were received with a frenzy reminiscent of Beatlemania.[11] During the tour, Cheap Trick recorded two concerts at the Nippon Budokan. Ten tracks taken from both shows were compiled and released as a live album entitled Cheap Trick at Budokan, which was intended to be exclusive to Japan.[12]

The band's third studio album, Heaven Tonight was released in May 1978. The lead-off track "Surrender" was Cheap Trick's first single to chart in the United States, peaking at No. 62. It has gone on to become one of the band's signature songs.[citation needed]

Demand for Cheap Trick at Budokan became so great that Epic Records finally released the album in the U.S. in February 1979.[citation needed] Cheap Trick at Budokan launched the band into international stardom, and the album went triple platinum in the United States.[11][13] The first single from the album was the live version of "I Want You to Want Me", which had originally been released on In Color. It reached No. 7 on the Billboard Hot 100, and became Cheap Trick's best-selling single to date.[14] The second single, "Ain't That A Shame", peaked at No. 35. "Need Your Love" had already been recorded for the forthcoming Dream Police album that had already been finished, but after the unprecedented success of Cheap Trick at Budokan, Epic postponed the album's release.[citation needed]

Dream Police was released later in 1979 and was their third album in a row produced by Tom Werman. The title track of the album was a hit single, as was "Voices". Dream Police also found the band taking its style in a more experimental direction by incorporating strings and dabbling in heavy metal on tracks like "Gonna Raise Hell". By 1980, Cheap Trick was headlining arenas.[citation needed]

On August 26, 1980, Petersson left the group to record a solo album with his wife Dagmar. Jon Brant became Petersson's steady replacement.[citation needed]

All Shook Up (1980), produced by former Beatles producer George Martin, reached No. 24 on the charts and was certified gold. However, the album's high-class background did not save it from descriptions like "Led Zeppelin gone psycho".[15]

1980s struggles (1981–1986)

In July 1981, CBS Inc. sued Cheap Trick and their manager Ken Adamany for $10 million, alleging they were attempting to coerce CBS into re-negotiating their contract and had refused to record any new material for the label since October 1980. The lawsuit was settled in early 1982 and work commenced on the next album: One on One.[citation needed] The album spawned two minor hits with the power ballad "If You Want My Love" (which peaked at no. 45) and the innuendo-laced rocker "She's Tight" (which peaked at no. 65).[16]

Cheap Trick released Next Position Please in 1983. The album's two singles, "Dancing the Night Away" and "I Can't Take It," failed to chart.[16][17]

In 1984, the band recorded the title track to the Tim Matheson comedy Up The Creek, which Nielsen later called "one of the worst" songs he'd ever written.[18]

The band released Standing on the Edge in 1985. This album was called their "best collection of bubblegum bazooka rock in years".[19] The album's first single, "Tonight It's You", reached No. 8 on Billboard's Top Rock Tracks chart.[16]

In 1986, the band recorded "Mighty Wings", the end-title cut for the film Top Gun. They then released The Doctor in the fall. The album's lone single, "It's Only Love" failed to chart.[16] The music video for "It's Only Love" made history as the first music video to prominently use American Sign Language.[20] The Doctor turned out to be the band's final album with Jon Brant as bassist.[citation needed]

Petersson rejoined the group in 1987[21] and helped record 1988's Lap of Luxury, produced by Richie Zito. Due to the band's commercial decline, Epic Records insisted that the band collaborate with professional songwriters on the album.[8] Nielsen said, "Lap of Luxury was a tough record to make. We could lie to you and tell you it was all wonderful and great. It wasn't. It was tough working with other writers. But it was a lesson for us."[22]

"The Flame", a ballad, was issued as the first single from the album and became the band's first-ever No. 1 hit.[14] The second single, a cover of Elvis Presley's "Don't Be Cruel", peaked at no. 4. The other singles from the album were "Ghost Town", "Never Had a Lot to Lose", and "Let Go"; "Ghost Town" and "Never Had a Lot to Lose" also charted.[16] Lap of Luxury went platinum[8] and became recognized as the band's comeback album.[23][24][25] Billboard commented: "After a long hitless streak, Cheap Trick brings it all back home. This is the quartet's punchiest effort since its mid-'70s heyday."[26]

Transitions (1990–2015)

Busted was released in 1990. The band was allowed more creative control, and professional songwriters were only used on a handful of songs. The first single, "Can't Stop Falling Into Love", reached No. 12 on the Billboard Hot 100,[27] and No. 4 on the Album Rock Tracks chart.[28] The second single, the Diane Warren-penned "Wherever Would I Be", reached No. 50 on the charts.[29] The single "If You Need Me" was not successful, although the track "Back 'n Blue" reached No. 32 on the U.S. Billboard Album Rock Tracks chart.[28]

In 1991, Cheap Trick's Greatest Hits was released.

The group left Epic after the disappointing sales of Busted to sign with Warner Bros. Records. In 1994, the band released Woke Up With A Monster. The album's title track was issued as the first single and reached No. 16 on the US Mainstream Rock charts. The album's sales were poor, and it peaked at only No. 123.[citation needed]

In 1997, Cheap Trick signed with indie label Red Ant Records and released Cheap Trick. The band attempted to re-introduce themselves to a new generation, as the album was self-titled and the artwork was similar to their first album which had been released twenty years before.[30] The album was critically acclaimed and hailed as a return to form. Eleven weeks after the release, Red Ant's parent company Alliance Entertainment Corporation declared Chapter 11 bankruptcy. The single "Say Goodbye" only reached No. 119 on the charts, and the band again found themselves without a record label. Two other singles were released from the album, "Baby No More" and "Carnival Game".[citation needed]

Cheap Trick began to rebuild in 1998. The band toured behind the release of Cheap Trick at Budokan: The Complete Concert, and the remastered re-issues of the band's first three albums. One of the multi-night stands from this tour resulted in Music for Hangovers, a live album that featured members of the Smashing Pumpkins on two tracks. In 1999, the band recorded a cover of Big Star's 1972 song "In The Street" that was used as the theme song for the hit sitcom That '70s Show. Cheap Trick ended the song with the lyric "We're all all right," which was drawn from their own 1978 song "Surrender".[31]

Vocalist Robin Zander performing at Gulfstream Park in 2006.

After spending much of 2001 writing songs and about six weeks in pre-production, Cheap Trick went into Bearsville Studios in Woodstock, New York in March 2002, where they recorded their first studio album in six years, Special One in May 2003.[citation needed]

Cheap Trick released Rockford on Cheap Trick Unlimited/Big3 Records in 2006. The first single from the album was "Perfect Stranger" (produced by Linda Perry and co-written by Cheap Trick and Perry). The band also appeared in a McDonald's advertising campaign called "This Is Your Wake-Up Call" featuring the band.[32]

Guitarist Rick Nielsen performing at Gulfstream Park in 2006.

In 2007, officials of Rockford, Illinois honored Cheap Trick by reproducing the Rockford album cover art on that year's city vehicle sticker. On June 19, 2007, the Illinois Senate passed Senate Resolution 255, which designated April 1 of every year as Cheap Trick Day in the State of Illinois.[33] In August of that year, Cheap Trick honored the 40th anniversary of Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band by playing the album in its entirety with the Hollywood Bowl Orchestra, conducted by Edwin Outwater, along with guest vocalists including Joan Osborne and Aimee Mann.[34]

On April 24, 2008, Cheap Trick performed at the Budokan arena for the 30th anniversary of the 1978 album Cheap Trick at Budokan.[35]

Bun E. Carlos stopped touring with the band in 2010. Rick Nielsen's son Daxx, who had filled in for Bun E. while he was recovering from back surgery in 2001, became the band's touring drummer[36] and remained in that role as of 2016.[37]

On July 17, 2011 at the Bluesfest in Ottawa, a thunderstorm blew through the festival area 20 minutes into the band's set. The band and crew were on the stage when, without warning, the 40-ton roof fell. It fell away from the audience and landed on the band's truck, which was parked alongside the back of the stage, the van broke the fall and allowed everyone about 30 seconds to escape.[38]

Carlos filed a lawsuit against his former bandmates in 2013. He claimed that even though they claimed that he was still a band member, he was not being allowed to participate in band-related activities, including recording. The remaining three members of Cheap Trick filed a countersuit, seeking a legal affirmation of their removal of Carlos. Their lawsuit was dismissed in late 2013.[39] The legal dispute was eventually settled.[8] Following the settlement, Carlos remained a one-quarter owner of Cheap Trick and a member of the band, but did not record or tour with them.[37][40][41]

Hall of Fame induction and later years (2016–present)

On April 1, 2016, the band released its first album in five years, Bang, Zoom, Crazy... Hello. They released a single, "No Direction Home," as a teaser for the album.[42] The album was the band's first record on a major label in 22 years.[8] Daxx Nielsen played drums on the album.[43]

On April 8, 2016, Cheap Trick was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.[44][45]

Also in 2016, the Republican Party offered the band $100,000 to play at a concert launching the 2016 Republican National Convention. Zander said, "We turned it down. Then we had second thoughts. Maybe we should have accepted it—but we would all have got swastika guitars made."[46]

Rick Nielsen and Robin Zander of Cheap Trick
Cheap Trick performs live at Rockfest 80's in Pembroke Pines, Florida on November 4, 2017. The band was featured as a headliner on day one of the annual two day music festival.

On June 16, 2017, the band released the album We're All Alright!.[47] Daxx Nielsen played drums on the album.[48] In August 2017, the band appeared on Insane Clown Posse's single "Black Blizzard".[49] On October 20, 2017, the band released a Christmas album, Christmas Christmas.[50]

Legacy

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.[44] 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".[44][45]

Band members

remains a one-quarter owner of Cheap Trick and a member of the band, but no longer records or tours with the band. Daxx Nielsen became the band's touring drummer in 2010 and had continued in that capacity as of 2016. Nielsen also played drums on the band's 2016 album Bang, Zoom, Crazy... Hello and the band's 2017 album We're All Alright!.</ref>[37][36]

Former members
  • Randy Hogan (aka Xeno) – lead vocals (1974)
  • Pete Comita – bass, backing vocals (1980–1981)
  • Jon Brant – bass, backing vocals (1981–1987, 2004–2005, 2007; one-off 1999)
  • Bun E. Carlos – drums, occasional backing vocals (1973–2010)
Touring musicians
  • Magic Cristian – keyboards, backing vocals (1982–1986, 2008–2011, 2013; one-off 2002, 2012, 2014, 2015, 2016)
  • Steve Walsh – keyboards, backing vocals (1985)
  • Mark Radice – keyboards, backing vocals (1985)
  • Tod Howarth – keyboards, backing vocals (1986–1987, 1990–1996, 2000, 2008; guest 1999)
  • Daxx Nielsen – drums (2001, 2010–present)
  • Robin Taylor Zander – guitar, backing vocals (?-present)

Timeline

[a]

Discography

Main article: Cheap Trick discography

Notes

  1. ^ a b Cite error: The named reference carlos was invoked but never defined (see the help page).

References

  1. ^ Popoff, Martin (2014). The Big Book of Hair Metal. pp. 145, 190.
  2. ^ Curry, Corina. "Cheap Trick: 'New guy' Daxx Nielsen has known bandmates his whole life". Rockford Register Star.
  3. ^ "Cheap Trick: 'We don't want to do wimp versions of ourselves'". USA Today. March 29, 2016.
  4. ^ "Cheap Trick's lead singer Robin Zander set to rock The Ranch". Naples Daily News.
  5. ^ a b c d Strong, Martin C. (2000). The Great Rock Discography (5th ed.). Edinburgh: Mojo Books. pp. 170–71. ISBN 1-84195-017-3.
  6. ^ "Nazz biography". Technicolor Web of Sound.
  7. ^ "Cheap Trick line-up history". Classic Webs. Archived from the original on October 24, 2014.
  8. ^ a b c d e Greene, Andy (April 8, 2016). "Inside Cheap Trick's Unlikely Renaissance". Rolling Stone. Retrieved September 24, 2018.
  9. ^ "Music Review: Cheap Trick – The Latest". BlogCritics.org. Archived from the original on October 28, 2011. Retrieved October 9, 2011.
  10. ^ "Cheap Trick, 'In Color'". Rolling Stone. May 31, 2012.
  11. ^ a b "Cheap Trick Biography". Rolling Stone. Retrieved July 12, 2017.
  12. ^ Marsh, Dave (November 29, 1979). "Cheap Trick: Dream Police". Rolling Stone No. 305. Retrieved July 12, 2017.
  13. ^ "Cheap Trick – At Budokan (album)". SwissCharts.com. Retrieved November 10, 2007.
  14. ^ a b "Cheap Trick". Billboard.
  15. ^ Fricke, David (March 19, 1981). "Cheap Trick: All Shook Up". Rolling Stone No. 339. Retrieved July 12, 2017.
  16. ^ a b c d e "Cheap Trick Chart History". Billboard.
  17. ^ "A slowdown in hits from Cheap Trick? I can't take it!". Tampa Bay Times. Florida.
  18. ^ Krewson, John. "Cheap Trick". The A.V. Club. Retrieved July 12, 2017.
  19. ^ Fricke, David (October 10, 1985). "Cheap Trick: Standing on the Edge". Rolling Stone No. 458. Retrieved July 12, 2017.
  20. ^ Billboard – Google Books. Books.google.co.uk. December 6, 1986. Retrieved May 7, 2012.
  21. ^ DeVore, Sheryl. "Cheap Trick's bass player talks music, luck, family". Chicago Tribune.
  22. ^ Billboard, "Talent: Cheap Trick offers new audio treat," Ed Christman, October 6, 1990, page 32
  23. ^ Swanson, Dave. "30 Years Ago: Cheap Trick Make a Comeback With 'Lap of Luxury'". Ultimate Classic Rock.
  24. ^ "Lap of Luxury by Cheap Trick". Classic Rock Review.
  25. ^ "Lap of Luxury - Cheap Trick - Songs, Reviews, Credits". AllMusic.com.
  26. ^ Haring, Bruce, Gett, Steve (July 9, 1988). "Talent: 'Lap' splash no cheap trick". Billboard p. 20.
  27. ^ "Cheap Trick Chart History - Hot 100". Billboard. Retrieved August 9, 2019.
  28. ^ a b "Cheap Trick Chart History - Mainstream Rock Songs". Billboard. Retrieved August 9, 2019.
  29. ^ Billboard. "Cheap Trick Wherever Would I Be Chart History". Billboard. Retrieved August 9, 2019.
  30. ^ "Tom Werman blog". Popdose.com. Retrieved March 5, 2010.
  31. ^ "Readers Poll: The Best Television Theme Songs". Rolling Stone. September 21, 2011. Retrieved September 26, 2018.
  32. ^ "Podshow Radio". Podshow Radio. Archived from the original on February 27, 2012. Retrieved April 17, 2014.
  33. ^ "Senate Journal : State of Illinois : Ninety-Fifth General Assembly: 2007" (PDF). Ilga.gov. Retrieved September 24, 2012.
  34. ^ ""SGT. PEPPER'S AT 40…A BEATLES CELEBRATION" FEATURES CHEAP TRICK WITH THE HOLLYWOOD BOWL ORCHESTRA" (Press release). Hollywood Bowl. Archived from the original on August 8, 2017. Retrieved August 8, 2017.
  35. ^ Brasor, Philip (April 18, 2008). "How Cheap Trick put the Budokan on the map". The Japan Times. Retrieved April 17, 2014.
  36. ^ a b Cite error: The named reference auto6 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  37. ^ a b c Greene, Andy (April 11, 2016). "16 Things We Learned Hanging Out With Cheap Trick". Rolling Stone. Retrieved September 25, 2018.
  38. ^ Critic, Music (October 3, 2011). "Cheap Trick lobbies Congress to regulate temporary stages". Chicago Tribune.
  39. ^ "Cheap Trick Countersue Bun E. Carlos". Rttnews.com. Retrieved April 17, 2014.
  40. ^ Curry, Corina (April 11, 2016). "Cheap Trick: 'New guy' Daxx Nielsen has known bandmates his whole life". Rockford Register Star. Retrieved September 25, 2018.
  41. ^ Greene, Andy (December 22, 2015). "Cheap Trick's Bun E. Carlos on Possible Rock Hall Reunion". Rolling Stone. Retrieved September 25, 2018.
  42. ^ Tankboy (January 22, 2016). "Here's A Glimpse Of Cheap Trick's First New Album In 5 Years". Chicagoist.com. Archived from the original on January 24, 2016. Retrieved January 22, 2016.
  43. ^ Beaudoin, Jedd. "Outlaw Kids, Lambo Doors And Portugal. The Man". KMUW.
  44. ^ a b c Braun, Georgette (April 14, 2016). "Rockford's Cheap Trick a big hit all over with Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction". Rockford Register Star. Retrieved September 25, 2018.
  45. ^ a b "Rock Hall of Fame ceremony honors diverse acts - then ends on sour note". CBS News. April 9, 2016. Retrieved September 25, 2018.
  46. ^ Hann, Michael (April 21, 2016). "Cheap Trick: 'We got asked to play for the Republicans – we would have got swastika guitars made'". The Guardian. U. Retrieved April 23, 2016.
  47. ^ "Cheap Trick Debuts 'Long Time Coming' Single From 'We're All Alright!' Album". Billboard. April 27, 2017. Retrieved April 28, 2017.
  48. ^ "Listen to Cheap Trick's High-Energy New Album, 'We're All Alright!'". Rock Cellar Magazine. June 17, 2017. Archived from the original on January 11, 2018. Retrieved September 26, 2018.
  49. ^ "Insane Clown Posse – "Black Blizzard" (ft. Cheap Trick)". Faygoluvers.net. Retrieved August 17, 2017.
  50. ^ "Cheap Trick to Release 'Christmas Christmas' album". Ultimate Classic Rock. September 24, 2017. Retrieved October 20, 2017.
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