BANG ZOOM CRAZY… HELLO TO THE ROCK & ROLL HALL OF FAME!

April 7, 2016 | Sande Caplin | Blog

They are called the “American Beatles” by the Japanese! Joe Perry of Aerosmith has said they are his favorite rock band. Cheap Trick, one of our greatest America rock bands is being inducted to the Rock Hall this Friday night in New York City! It has been a long time coming for the boys from the Midwest.

The band was formed in 1973 and in 1976 they were signed to Epic records, pushed by mega producer Jack Douglas, who had heard them play live in Wisconsin. They rocketed into the rock star stratosphere with the American release of the 1979 triple platinum album “Cheap Trick at Budokan”. This classic live album is in every rock aficionado’s collection and listed on Rolling Stone magazine’s “Greatest Albums of All Time”.

Cheap Trick has toured with everyone from KISS to Aerosmith. They have recorded 17 albums from 1977 to 2016. They have been produced by some of the great rock producers including Douglas, George Martin and Todd Rundgren. Master guitarist Rick Nielsen worked with John Lennon on the “Double Fantasy” sessions. Bassist Tom Petersson invented the 12 string bass. Daxx Nielsen, Rick’s son, has been playing drums with the band for the last six years. Robin Zander fans call him “The Voice”. His vocals are as good as ever after 40 years of thousands of shows. Cheap Trick has left their mark on contemporary music in many ways. They have inspired many musicians such as Pearl Jam, Foo Fighters and Motley Crue. Alice Cooper has called them “America’s House Band!”

Their brand new album “Bang, Zoom, Crazy.. Hello” was released on April 1st which is also officially “Cheap Trick Day” every year since 2007 in the State of Illinois where Rick Nielsen still resides. The album is receiving rave reviews for being “great classic Cheap Trick”. That is not surprising from a band that has never stopped touring or continuing to record, not just riding on the “hits”. This summer they are on the road with Heart and Joan Jett & the Blackhearts. Daryl Hall recently had them as the guests for a taping of “Live from Daryl’s House” new season which will be premiering on MTV Live soon.

If you live in the Tampa Bay area, then you may have seen lead singer Robin Zander perform at local events over the years. He gives back to the community all around the Bay area from his hometown of Safety Harbor down to Ft. Myers. Cheap Trick recently played the Florida Strawberry Festival and the Capital Theatre in Clearwater to a sold out crowd. Cheap Trick has no plans to slow down anytime soon! The “Dream Police” are still running through our heads after all these years!

Cheap Trick will appear this Thursday morning on the Today show at 9:00 a.m.!