Template:Short description Template:Use American English Template:Use mdy dates Template:Infobox musical artist
Cheap Trick is an American rock band formed in Rockford, Illinois in 1970 by guitarist Rick Nielsen, bassist Tom Petersson, lead vocalist Robin Zander and drummer Bun E. Carlos.<ref group=lower-alpha name=carlos/><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Their work bridged elements of '60s guitar pop, '70s hard rock, and the emerging punk rock sound, and would help set the template for subsequent power pop artists.<ref name="Allmusicbio">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
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".<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> They followed with Dream Police (1979), their most commercially successful studio album, reaching No. 6 on the Billboard 200 chart.<ref name="albums" >{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> 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.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Cheap Trick has sold more than 20 million albums<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> and built a dedicated cult following. Their influence has been cited by a diverse range of rock artists from both the mainstream and underground.<ref name="auto" /> The band was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2016. The current lineup of the band consists of Zander, Nielsen and Petersson.
HistoryEdit
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.<ref name="The Great Rock Discography">Template:Cite book</ref> With Bun E. Carlos joining on drums, Fuse moved to Philadelphia in 1971. From 1972 to 1973, they called themselves Sick Man of Europe.<ref name="The Great Rock Discography"/> After a European tour in 1973, Nielsen and Petersson returned to Rockford and reunited with Carlos.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> According to Rolling Stone, the band adopted the name Cheap Trick on August 15, 1973.<ref name="auto">Template:Cite magazine</ref> 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.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
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.<ref name="The Great Rock Discography" /><ref name="LarkinHR">Template:Cite book</ref>
With Robin Zander 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. The band released its first album, Cheap Trick, in early 1977.<ref name="LarkinHR"/> While favored by critics, the album did not sell well.<ref name="The Great Rock Discography" /> The album's lone single, "Oh, Candy", failed to chart, as did the album. Their second album, In Color, was released later that year.<ref name="LarkinHR"/> The singles "I Want You to Want Me" and "Southern Girls" failed to chart. In Color was ranked No. 443 on the 2012 edition of Rolling Stone's 500 Greatest Albums of All Time.<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref>
Budokan brings success (1978–1980)Edit
When Cheap Trick toured in Japan for the first time in April 1978, they were received with a frenzy reminiscent of Beatlemania.<ref name="rsbio">Template:Cite magazine</ref> 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 titled Cheap Trick at Budokan,<ref name="LarkinHR"/> which was intended to be exclusive to Japan.<ref name="rsdp">Template:Cite magazine</ref>
The band's third studio album, Heaven Tonight was released in May 1978.<ref name="LarkinHR"/> 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.
Demand for Cheap Trick at Budokan became so great that Epic Records finally released the album in the U.S. in February 1979.Template:Citation needed Cheap Trick at Budokan launched the band into international stardom, and the album went triple platinum in the United States.<ref name="rsbio"/><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> 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.<ref name="billboard.com">Template:Cite magazine</ref> 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.
Dream Police was released later in 1979,<ref name="LarkinHR"/> 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.
On August 26, 1980, Petersson left the group to record a solo album with his wife Dagmar,<ref name="LarkinHR"/> using the band name Another Language. Jon Brant became Petersson's steady replacement, after a year of Cheap Trick touring and recording with Pete Comita.<ref name="LarkinHR"/>
All Shook Up (1980), produced by former Beatles producer George Martin,<ref name="LarkinHR"/> 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".<ref name="fricke">Template:Cite magazine</ref>
1980s struggles (1981–1986)Edit
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. 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).<ref name="billboard.com" />
Cheap Trick released Next Position Please in 1983.<ref name="LarkinHR"/> The album's two singles, "Dancing the Night Away" and "I Can't Take It", failed to chart.<ref name="billboard.com" /><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> In the same year, Cheap Trick performed two songs for the soundtrack of the adult animated film Rock & Rule, which became a cult classic.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
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.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
The band released Standing on the Edge in 1985.<ref name="LarkinHR"/> This album was called their "best collection of bubblegum bazooka rock in years".<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref> The album's first single, "Tonight It's You", reached No. 8 on BillboardTemplate:'s Top Rock Tracks chart.<ref name="billboard.com" />
In 1986, the band recorded "Mighty Wings", the end-title cut for the film Top Gun.<ref name="LarkinHR"/> They then released The Doctor in the fall. The album's lone single, "It's Only Love", failed to chart.<ref name="billboard.com" /> The music video for "It's Only Love" made history as the first music video to use captioning for hearing-impaired persons.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> The Doctor turned out to be the band's final album with Jon Brant as bassist.Template:Citation needed
Popular resurgence (1987–1989)Edit
Petersson rejoined the group in 1987<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> and helped record 1988's Lap of Luxury,<ref name="LarkinHR"/> produced by Richie Zito. Due to the band's commercial decline, Epic Records insisted that the band collaborate with professional songwriters on the album.<ref name="auto" /> 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."<ref>Billboard, "Talent: Cheap Trick offers new audio treat," Ed Christman, October 6, 1990, page 32</ref>
"The Flame", a ballad, was issued as the first single from the album,<ref name="LarkinHR"/> and became the band's first-ever No. 1 hit.<ref name="billboard.com" /> The second single, a cover of Elvis Presley's "Don't Be Cruel", peaked at no. 4. This song also reached number 10 on the Billboard Hot 100 list in 1988.<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref> 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.<ref name="billboard.com" /> Lap of Luxury went platinum<ref name="auto" /> and became recognized as the band's comeback album.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> 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."<ref>Haring, Bruce, Gett, Steve (July 9, 1988). "Talent: 'Lap' splash no cheap trick". Billboard p. 20.</ref>
Transitions (1990–2015)Edit
Busted was released in 1990.<ref name="LarkinHR"/> 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 Template:Numero on the Billboard Hot 100,<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref> and Template:Numero on the Album Rock Tracks chart.<ref name="billboard1" /> The second single, the Diane Warren-penned "Wherever Would I Be", reached Template:Numero on the charts.<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref> The single "If You Need Me" was not successful, although the track "Back 'n Blue" reached Template:Numero on the U.S. Billboard Album Rock Tracks chart.<ref name="billboard1">Template:Cite magazine</ref>
In 1991, Cheap Trick's The Greatest Hits was released.<ref name="LarkinHR"/>
The group left Epic after the disappointing sales of Busted to sign with Warner Bros. Records.<ref name="LarkinHR"/> In 1994, the band released Woke Up with a Monster.<ref name="LarkinHR"/> 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.Template:Citation needed
In 1997, Cheap Trick signed with indie label Red Ant Records and released Cheap Trick.<ref name="LarkinHR"/> 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.<ref name="prodcrs">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> The album was critically acclaimed and hailed as a return to form.<ref name="LarkinHR"/> 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".Template:Citation needed
Cheap Trick began to rebuild in 1998. The band toured behind the release of Cheap Trick at Budokan: The Complete Concert,<ref name="LarkinHR"/> 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 Fox 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".<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref>
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.Template: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.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
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.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> 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.<ref>Template:Cite press release</ref>
On April 24, 2008, Cheap Trick performed at Japan's Budokan arena in Chiyoda, Tokyo, for the 30th anniversary of the 1978 album Cheap Trick at Budokan.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
Bun E. Carlos stopped touring and recording with the band, and officially left 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.<ref name="auto6"/><ref name="auto1">Template:Cite magazine</ref><ref name=taylor>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
On July 17, 2011, at Canada's Bluesfest in Ottawa, Ontario, 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.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
Carlos filed a lawsuit against his former bandmates in 2013. He claimed that even though they claimed that he was departed from Cheap Trick, 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.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> The legal dispute was eventually settled.<ref name="auto" /> Following the settlement, Carlos did not record or tour with them. The three remaining members decided they would continue Cheap Trick as a trio.<ref name="auto1"/><ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref>
Hall of Fame induction and later years (2016–present)Edit
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.<ref name="Bang Zoom Crazy... Hello">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> The album was the band's first record on a major label in 22 years.<ref name="auto"/> Daxx Nielsen played drums on the album.<ref name="auto2">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
On April 8, 2016, Cheap Trick was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.<ref name="auto3">Template:Cite news</ref><ref name="auto4">Template:Cite news</ref>
On June 16, 2017, the band released the album We're All Alright!.<ref name="We're All Alright!">Template:Cite magazine</ref> Daxx Nielsen played drums on the album.<ref name="rockcellarmagazine.com">Template:Cite magazine</ref> In August 2017, the band appeared on Insane Clown Posse's single "Black Blizzard".<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> On October 20, 2017, the band released a Christmas album, Christmas Christmas.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
On January 29, 2021, Cheap Trick released the single "Light Up the Fire" in the run up to their album In Another World, due for release on April 9, 2021.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
The band was announced as part of the 2021 Australian concert series, Under the Southern Stars, alongside Bush and Stone Temple Pilots. They replaced original headliners Live on the bill.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> In April 2021, the concert series was postponed to 2022.<ref name="news-com-southern-skies-fest-cancel">Template:Cite news</ref>
When Petersson was sidelined from touring in 2021 due to open-heart surgery. Zander's son, Robin Taylor Zander, filled in for him on tour.<ref name=taylor/>
LegacyEdit
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.<ref name="auto3" /> 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".<ref name="auto3" /><ref name="auto4" />
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.<ref name="auto" /><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> X Japan guitarist Pata cited them as the Western band that had the biggest impact on him and as the reason he started playing guitar.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref>
Band membersEdit
- Current members
| Image | Name | Years active | Instruments | Release contributions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Template:CSS image crop | Rick Nielsen | 1970–present | Template:Hlist | all releases |
| Template:CSS image crop | Tom Petersson | Template:Hlist | Template:Hlist | all releases from Cheap Trick (1977) to All Shook Up (1980), and from Lap of Luxury (1988) onwards |
| Template:CSS image crop | Robin Zander | 1974–present | Template:Hlist | all releases |
- Current touring musicians
| Image | Name | Years active | Instruments | Release contributions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Template:CSS image crop | Daxx Nielsen | Template:Hlist | Template:Hlist | all releases from Bang, Zoom, Crazy... Hello (2016) onwards |
| Robin Taylor Zander | 2014–present Template:Small | Template:Hlist | Template:Flatlist |
- Former members
| Image | Name | Years active | Instruments | Release contributions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Template:CSS image crop | Bun E. Carlos | 1973–2010 Template:Small<ref name="carlos" group="lower-alpha" /><ref name="auto1" /><ref name="auto6" /> | Template:Hlist | all releases from Cheap Trick (1977) to Sgt. Pepper Live (2009) |
| Randy Hogan Template:Small | 1973–1974 | Template:Hlist | none | |
| Pete Comita | 1980–1981 | Template:Hlist | ||
| Jon Brant | Template:Hlist | Template:Flatlist |
- Former touring musicians
| Image | Name | Years active | Instruments | Release contributions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hank Ransome | 1976 Template:Small | drums | ||
| Template:CSS image crop | Magic Cristian | Template:Hlist | Template:Hlist | Sgt. Pepper Live (2009) |
| Template:CSS image crop | Steve Walsh | 1985 | none | |
| Template:CSS image crop | Mark Radice | Standing on the Edge (1985) | ||
| Template:CSS image crop | Tod Howarth | Template:Hlist | none |
TimelineEdit
<timeline> ImageSize = width:900 height:auto barincrement:20 PlotArea = left:80 bottom:100 top:5 right:10 Alignbars = justify DateFormat = dd/mm/yyyy Period = from:01/01/1973 till:{{#time:d/m/Y}} TimeAxis = orientation:horizontal format:yyyy Legend = orientation:vertical position:bottom columns:3 ScaleMajor = increment:4 start:1974 ScaleMinor = increment:1 start:1974
Colors =
id:lv value:red legend:Lead_vocals,_rhythm_guitar id:lg value:green legend:Lead_guitar,_backing_vocals,_keyboards id:b value:blue legend:Bass,_backing_vocals id:dr value:orange legend:Drums,_percussion id:alb value:black legend:Studio_albums id:oth value:gray(0.65) legend:Live_albums id:bars value:gray(0.95)
BackgroundColors = bars:bars
LineData =
layer:back color:oth at:08/10/1978 at:01/02/1994 at:15/06/1999 at:27/02/2001 at:25/08/2009 at:29/11/2019 color:alb at:01/02/1977 at:01/09/1977 at:01/05/1978 at:21/09/1979 at:24/10/1980 at:30/04/1982 at:15/08/1983 at:01/10/1985 at:01/11/1986 at:12/04/1988 at:01/06/1990 at:22/03/1994 at:29/04/1997 at:22/07/2003 at:06/06/2006 at:23/06/2009 at:01/04/2016 at:16/06/2017 at:19/04/2021
BarData =
bar:RH text:"Randy Hogan" bar:RZ text:"Robin Zander" bar:RN text:"Rick Nielsen" bar:TP text:"Tom Petersson" bar:PC text:"Pete Comita" bar:JB text:"Jon Brant" bar:BC text:"Bun E. Carlos"
PlotData =
width:11 textcolor:black align:left anchor:from shift:(9,–4) bar:RH from:start till:01/07/1974 color:lv bar:RZ from:01/07/1974 till:end color:lv bar:RN from:start till:end color:lg bar:RN from:01/07/1981 till:30/04/1982 color:b width:3 bar:TP from:start till:01/11/1980 color:b bar:TP from:01/07/1987 till:end color:b bar:PC from:01/11/1980 till:01/07/1981 color:b bar:JB from:01/07/1981 till:01/07/1987 color:b bar:BC from:start till:01/01/2010 color:dr
</timeline>
DiscographyEdit
{{#invoke:Labelled list hatnote|labelledList|Main article|Main articles|Main page|Main pages}}
- Cheap Trick (1977)
- In Color (1977)
- Heaven Tonight (1978)
- Dream Police (1979)
- All Shook Up (1980)
- One on One (1982)
- Next Position Please (1983)
- Standing on the Edge (1985)
- The Doctor (1986)
- Lap of Luxury (1988)
- Busted (1990)
- Woke Up with a Monster (1994)
- Cheap Trick (1997)
- Special One (2003)
- Rockford (2006)
- The Latest (2009)
- Bang, Zoom, Crazy... Hello (2016)
- We're All Alright! (2017)
- Christmas Christmas (2017)
- In Another World (2021)
NotesEdit
Template:Portal Template:Reflist
ReferencesEdit
See alsoEdit
External linksEdit
Template:CheapTrick Template:2016 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame