Jan 26, 2023·edited Jan 26, 2023Liked by Kevin Alexander
I've been a fan of Cheap Trick since first seeing them on Don Kirshner's Rock Concert on TV back in the 70s. They were the first concert I also saw. It was a tour with Max Webster and Rush with Rush headlining, but honestly to me Cheap Trick's performance was more outstanding than the other two bands despite the fact that I was, and still am, a huge Rush fan.
Thanks for posting this. In Color is one of my favorite Cheap Trick albums.
Good band...back in the day. I saw Cheap Trick a few months ago, opening for ZZTop (2 out of 3 original, sadly). The songs and singing was a bit off. But comparing the vocals from 50 years ago, to today is not fair. So I can forgive them. Billy Gibbons, by contrast sounded just the same as 50 years ago...and played guitar note for note. (as far as I can remember, but I'm that old too, so maybe my memory isn't that great, LOL). Good article, Kevin
Cheap Trick have been one of my top 10 favorite bands for a couple decades. They check so many of my rock and roll boxes. Rock and roll, power-pop, great live show, flamboyant, dynamic lead vocalist. Robin Zander, for me, is one of rock's great singers.
I see their eras a little different than you write in your piece. I would put everything up through Dream Police in the early classic category. Or the "70s" category. Then the Jon Brant on bass years (One on One and Next Position Please). Then the awful 80s and 90s (where they seemed to flail to follow trends instead of lead them). Then "The Resurgent Aughts" with the excellent Rockford, The Latest, and a fun Sgt. Peppers tribute album. Then the post-Bun E. Carlos years.
I know All Shook Up was left out of those categories, but it really doesn't fit into any of them. I liked it more than most, but it for sure was their weakest through '83.
I think I'm gonna do a deep dive post on Next Position Please sometime this year. It's one of their best IMO.
Cheap Trick was the second concert I ever attended and it was unforgettable. Outdoor show on a scorching summer night... Vixen was the opening act, years before they would break through...
They're a fun band and I may appreciate the marketing, with each member a distinct (almost cartoon-) character, more than the music. It appears that I sold my copy of Dream Police, but I used to play Way Of The World quite often on my college radio show - great song!
Always loved this album...first saw Cheap Trick around that time on The Old Grey Whistle Test performing 'I Want You To Want Me' and 'Clock Strikes Ten'. They were funny, smart and they rocked.
I've been a fan of Cheap Trick since first seeing them on Don Kirshner's Rock Concert on TV back in the 70s. They were the first concert I also saw. It was a tour with Max Webster and Rush with Rush headlining, but honestly to me Cheap Trick's performance was more outstanding than the other two bands despite the fact that I was, and still am, a huge Rush fan.
Thanks for posting this. In Color is one of my favorite Cheap Trick albums.
My first concert back in the 70s was Cheap Trick opening for KISS!
Good band...back in the day. I saw Cheap Trick a few months ago, opening for ZZTop (2 out of 3 original, sadly). The songs and singing was a bit off. But comparing the vocals from 50 years ago, to today is not fair. So I can forgive them. Billy Gibbons, by contrast sounded just the same as 50 years ago...and played guitar note for note. (as far as I can remember, but I'm that old too, so maybe my memory isn't that great, LOL). Good article, Kevin
Cheap Trick have been one of my top 10 favorite bands for a couple decades. They check so many of my rock and roll boxes. Rock and roll, power-pop, great live show, flamboyant, dynamic lead vocalist. Robin Zander, for me, is one of rock's great singers.
I see their eras a little different than you write in your piece. I would put everything up through Dream Police in the early classic category. Or the "70s" category. Then the Jon Brant on bass years (One on One and Next Position Please). Then the awful 80s and 90s (where they seemed to flail to follow trends instead of lead them). Then "The Resurgent Aughts" with the excellent Rockford, The Latest, and a fun Sgt. Peppers tribute album. Then the post-Bun E. Carlos years.
I know All Shook Up was left out of those categories, but it really doesn't fit into any of them. I liked it more than most, but it for sure was their weakest through '83.
I think I'm gonna do a deep dive post on Next Position Please sometime this year. It's one of their best IMO.
Cheap Trick was the second concert I ever attended and it was unforgettable. Outdoor show on a scorching summer night... Vixen was the opening act, years before they would break through...
They're a fun band and I may appreciate the marketing, with each member a distinct (almost cartoon-) character, more than the music. It appears that I sold my copy of Dream Police, but I used to play Way Of The World quite often on my college radio show - great song!
Always loved this album...first saw Cheap Trick around that time on The Old Grey Whistle Test performing 'I Want You To Want Me' and 'Clock Strikes Ten'. They were funny, smart and they rocked.