Cheap Trick Brings the Party to the Mahaffey Theater
The Mahaffey Theater is celebrating 60 years in St. Petersburg and they kicked it off with a birthday party and the best freakin’ American rock band around, Cheap Trick! Opening the doors early with a party room decorated in Trick checkerboard and memorabilia along with a DJ and photo booth for the concert ticket holders. There was a raffle for front row seats and lots of dancing to 80’s rock, that included Bon Jovi, Guns & Roses and of course Cheap Trick. The Tricksters were out in full force to see the band founded in Rockford, IL and has been around since 1973. Their lead singer Robin Zander, is no stranger to the locals since he lives in the Tampa Bay area.
Starting the show off was the 1980 “Stop This Game” and “Just Got Back” both were produced by the great Beatles producer George Martin for the “All Shook Up” album. Zander’s voice was in top form after just performing at his friend Aerosmith’s Steven Tyler’s charity gig for Tyler’s “Janie’s Fund” that helps abused girls. Cheap Trick has opened for Aerosmith many times over the years. Back to the show, Rick introduced Sarasota’s own Bello Nock in the audience who has been a fan and friend of the band for years.
The fans in the front rows were already on their feet but when the 1978 rocker “California Man” started everyone was out of their seats and they kept it going with the Fats Domino cover “Ain’t It a Shame”. The tune was first on their mega album 1978’s, “Live at Budokan” It is still one of their most popular songs on the setlists all over the world! Bringing up Zander’s son, Robin Taylor Zander for a turn on vocals, he hits it on “Cry, Cry” which was on the debut Trick album in 1977, with Jack Douglas at the production helm. Robin Taylor is a talent in his own right.
Bassist extraordinaire Tom Petersson who invented the 12-string bass always gives the audience a mesmerizing bass solo to chill out to. Zander returns to the stage for the Trick ballad “The Flame” which was a number one for them. Daxx Nielsen, son of guitarist Rick keeps the beat moving all through the night and does a powerhouse solo. What can you say about Nielsen, one of the best rock guitarists still around. His stage antics are legendary, his collection of guitars and throwing guitar picks at the crowd and they love it. The crowd is back up on their feet for “Dream Police” and “I Want You to Want Me” with Robin Zander still sounding like the 70’s, his voice amazes.
The Mahaffey Theater could not have chosen a better rock band to celebrate their 60 years of entertaining the Tampa Bay area. I attended, Todd Rundgren’s show at Bayfront Center in 1976, which was the old theater back in the day. How ironic that Todd produced Cheap Trick’s album, “Next Position Please.”. Trick is going on the road for their summer tour, check out www.cheaptrick.com for tour dates. The Mahaffey will be bringing many more entertaining shows for years to come and you can check them out at www.themahaffey.com
Vicky Sullivan for The Suncoast Post