Rockford, Illinois 1974 saw the formation of one of America's well known power-pop bands - Cheap Trick.
They became a success with their self-titled debut, in which they started off their defining sound; the catchiness of The Beatles with the speed and energy of Punk rock. The Los Angeles Times proclaimed: "Cheap Trick gained fame by twisting the Beatlesque into something shinier, harder, more American."
They have often been referred to in the Japanese press as the "American Beatles".
Most known for their tracks "Surrender", "I Want You To Want Me", "Dream Police" and "The Flame" - and did a cover of Big Star's "In The Street" for American sitcom That 70's Show (season 2 onwards) and also the theme tune to the American satirical late night television program The Colbert Report.
Surprisingly, for the age of the band the line-up hasn't changed a great deal. Also the Illinois State Senate has declared 1st April to be "Cheap Trick Day". They also took the 25th spot in VH1's 100 Greatest Artists of Hard Rock.
Current Line-Up
Robin Zander
1974–present
Lead vocals, rhythm guitar, piano
Rick Nielsen
1974–present
Lead guitar, backing vocals
Tom Petersson
1974–1980, 1987–present
Electric bass, backing vocals
Bun E. Carlos
1974–present
Drums, percussion
Daxx Nielsen
2010-present
Drums,percussion
Former Line-Up
Randy Hogan 'aka' Xeno
1974
Lead vocals
Pete Comita
1980–1981
12- and 4-stringed electric basses, backing vocals
Jon Brant
1981–1987, special guest and fill-in duties in 1999, 2004-05, & 2007
12-, 8-, 6-, 5- & 4-string electric basses, backing vocals
Origin
Rockford, IL
Formed
1975
Members
Robin Zander, Jon Brant, Bun E. Carlos, Rick Nielsen, Tom Petersson
