How could an adolescent girl in the late 70's and early 80's not love these boys? It was the tag team of Robin Zander and Rick Nielsen that sucker punched me into hysteria as a young teen. Robin was white hot and Rick was possibly the coolest guitar player I had ever seen. Sure, he played up the geek factor, but he rocked the checkered look hard. Couple their look with riffs sent from heaven and a band name that made my parents gasp and they had an unwaivering fan.
I didn't get to see them live until the mid-80's when they were the opener for INXS. Now I love INXS and I guarantee that Michael Hutchins will be the subject of another story in this series, but on that night, Cheap Trick ruled. They were loud, energetic and Rick Nielsen is a machine. This is a band that has taken the idea of pop, tossed it into the blender with rock and sprinkled it with a little New Wave. Slurp it up, kids. It doesn't get much sweeter.
Wednesday, January 10, 2007
The Boys in the Bands Vol. II
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7 comments:
I know Rick Nielsen.
You suck. Does he want to come to the party?
I saw that concert with you right? Alpine Valley?
Yup. Ziggy Marley was also on the bill. I'm telling you, Cheap Trick and INXS in one night, it's a miracle my head didn't spin off my body from euphoria.
Just put In Color, Heaven Tonigh, and At Buddakan on my iPod the other night. Tasty!
I played a show with Robin Zander's daughter a few years ago...She's hot!
Cheap Trick rocks, I want you to want me is one of my all time fave songs on the frickin planet!!!! nice.....
saw 'em open for -- and outrock -- aerosmith in 1978 or 1979. they were new to the scene; aerosmith was nearly disfunctional from smack and booze; i was young.
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