These are dark days for classic rock. The creators of some of the most transcendent and popular music ever created have largely fallen off the charts, or simply fallen off.
Eddie Van Halen, whose two-handed tapping made him a generational talent, died of cancer in 2020. Gregg Allman, the soulful voice behind “Whipping Post” and “Midnight Rider,” died in 2017, three years after his eponymous band called it quits. The brilliant Brian Wilson of the Beach Boys died last year, as did Sly Stone and Ozzy Osbourne.
Even for those still standing, these are anything but the good old days. Don't expect to see an original member during this summer's Lynyrd Skynyrd tour. That's because they are all dead. Paul McCartney still fills stadiums and fascinates audiences with his charm, charisma and the deepest pop songbook, but at 83, his voice is more taut than sweet. As Mick Jagger once sang: “Time waits for no one.” That's true even for the mighty Rolling Stones, who in 2021 lost drummer Charlie Watts.
And then there's Cheap Trick. Rockford, Illinois, the legendary purveyors of Beatlesque power-pop with a hard edge, boast three original members: golden-voiced 73-year-old Robin Zander; Tom Petersson, 75, pioneer of the 12-string bass; and flamboyant lead guitarist Rick Nielsen, 77, who wrote or co-wrote some of the band's biggest hits, including “I Want You to Want Me,” “Surrender” and “Dream Police.” They're joined by drummer Daxx Nielsen, Rick Nielsen's son who ably replaced the seemingly irreplaceable Bun E. Carlos in 2010. Cheap Trick's most recent albums are great, and the band's live shows continue to sizzle, recalling 1978's iconic “At Budokan.”
“We have the same basic musical tastes and grew up together,” said bassist Petersson. “It just works.”
In fact, that's how it is. Just listen to “All Washed Up,” the band’s vibrant 21st studio album that came out in November. The tongue-in-cheek title track positively struts, while “The Riff That Won't Quit” lives up to its name. “I think it has an early Cheap Trick sound,” Zander said.
Fans of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductees, who have sold more than 20 million albums and earned more than 40 international gold and platinum records, can expect to hear a mix of old and new, hits and deep cuts, when Cheap Trick visits Bridges Auditorium in Claremont on April 21.
Today, Cheap Trick performs an average of 75 shows per year.
(Jeff Daly)
Keeping it fresh
How has a band that's been together for more than 50 years managed to remain a creative force without burning out, splitting up, or becoming little more than a nostalgia-pumping human jukebox?
Zander recognizes their commitment and enthusiasm. “We not only make records for ourselves, but we also play live for ourselves,” he said. “We try to make things interesting so we don't get bored.”
That's why the band changes their setlist every night. It also explains why, in a streaming era dominated by country, hip-hop and pop, Cheap Trick is still producing rock records for a shrinking audience.
“We like to record,” Petersson said. “We have all these song ideas from all these years, and we just keep going. Knowing that we have another record to make keeps us going.”
So is staying healthy.
While Cheap Trick used to play up to 250 shows a year in the late '70s and early '80s, the band now averages 75. Cheap Trick also spaces out dates when possible, giving members time to recover from the rigors of touring.
To make sure he can hit the high notes (and he can), Zander warms up his voice a half hour before the show. He also abandoned some bad youthful habits. “I don't stay up three nights in a row drinking,” he said. “We're not young cubs anymore.”
Counterintuitively, Zander and Petersson believe that prioritizing professional relationships has allowed the band to avoid the destructive infighting that often plagues bands made up of best friends. (Think John Lennon and Paul McCartney).
“We got together and it was all music. That's what we did and what we do,” Zander said. “And so after [recording or shows]we would all return to our homes and sleep in our own beds. “We don’t pee in each other’s backyards.”
Rick Nielsen, from left, Tom Petersson and Robin Zander of Cheap Trick.
(Danny Clinch)
The cult band that could
Cheap Trick was born in Rockford in 1973. Zander joined a year later, solidifying the classic lineup. The band toured the Midwest tirelessly, playing five shows a night, six days a week. With their meager earnings, Cheap Trick made the long trip to Los Angeles several times to play at the Starwood in hopes of landing a record deal. Although unsuccessful in their search, the band became fans of Sparks and Rodney Bingenheimer, the famous KROQ DJ and tastemaker. “That was enough for us,” Petersson said.
Aerosmith producer Jack Douglas rescued the group from obscurity after seeing Cheap Trick's act at a bowling alley in Waukesha, Wisconsin. Impressed, he offered to help. “He was the most popular producer in the world,” Petersson said. “He told us, ‘You can tell the record labels that Jack Douglas is now your producer.’ Then, suddenly, we were brilliant.”
The band quickly signed with Epic Records. Beginning with the Douglas-produced “Cheap Trick” in early 1977, followed by “In Color” and “Heaven Tonight” (both produced by Tom Werman), the group released three classics in just over a year. Unfortunately, the record-buying public stayed away for the most part.
Cheap Trick seemed destined for cult band status. The band then released “At Budokan,” one of rock's most beloved live albums. Originally planned as a Japan-only album, strong demand for Japanese imports led Epic to release it in the United States, where it went triple platinum. A year later, “Dream Police” also had great success. Cheap Trick appeared on the brink of stardom.
The band tapped Beatles producer George Martin and engineer Geoff Emerick for their next album. Critics and fans were looking forward to the second coming of “Sgt. Pepper's.” Instead, they got the experimental “All Shook Up,” which has aged well despite the critical drubbing it received at the time. The group's moment had passed. “Tastes change,” said Petersson, who left the group shortly before the album came out due to creative differences.
Cheap Trick spent much of the 1980s chasing trends rather than setting them. The band's commercial fortunes briefly improved with the release of 1988's “Lap of Luxury,” which saw Petersson's return and included the group's only number one, “The Flame,” a solid, power ballad written by outside songwriters. But the album lacked the appeal, melodicism and fire of their early work. The focus soon dimmed.
In the 1990s something unexpected happened. Alternative rockers like Nirvana, Smashing Pumpkins and Green Day began channeling the band's signature blend of melodies and crunchy guitars. Cheap Trick was back in fashion.
The band experienced an artistic and critical renaissance in the mid-2000s, beginning with the underrated gem “Rockford” in 2006, which continues to this day. “In Another World,” released in 2021, debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard rock chart, a first for the 53-year-old group.
“We're not finished,” Zander joked.
Daxx Nielsen, from left, Robin Zander, Tom Petersson and Rick Nielsen.
(Courtesy of Cheap Trick)
On top of the world
On April 8, 2016, Cheap Trick was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, years after becoming eligible. Reuniting with original drummer Carlos, the band played a scorching set that had the crowd on its feet. In an online tribute, Smashing Pumpkins frontman Billy Corgan wrote: “Finally, the damn secret is out! His place among the greats is assured, his influence on generations evident.”
For Cheap Trick, it was sweet vindication.
“We worked hard, but we never expected to achieve it. [in]”said Zander. “It's a nice little tip of the hat that I'm very proud of.”
A decade after that career highlight, Cheap Trick has no intention of hanging up the guitars or putting down the microphone. And why should they? There's still more new music to make and crowds to entertain.
“I want us to be remembered as one of the greatest rock bands that ever lived,” Zander said. “You know, rock and roll was supposed to last forever, but it's taken a backseat to a lot of other things. I hope it doesn't go away. We're helping to hold down the fort as much as we can.”
Ballon, a former reporter for Times, Forbes and Inc. magazines, teaches an advanced writing class at USC. Lives in Fullerton.
