Cheap Trick | |
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Cheap Trick performing in 1978 in Charlotte, North Carolina, at the Park Center
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Background information | |
Origin | Rockford, Illinois, United States |
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Years active | 1973–present |
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Associated acts | |
Website | cheaptrick |
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Past members |
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Cheap Trick is an American rock band from Rockford, Illinois, formed in 1973. As of 2016, the band currently consists of Robin Zander (vocals), Rick Nielsen (guitar), Tom Petersson (bass) and Daxx Nielsen (drums).Their biggest hits include "Surrender", "I Want You to Want Me", "Dream Police" and "The Flame".
They have often been referred to in the Japanese press as the "American Beatles". In October 2007, the Illinois Senate passed a resolution designating April 1 as Cheap Trick Day in the state. The band was also ranked No. 25 in VH1's list of the 100 Greatest Artists of Hard Rock. In April 2016, the band was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
In 1961, Rick Nielsen began playing locally in Rockford, Illinois using an ever-increasing collection of rare and valuable guitars. He formed several local bands with names like The Boyz and The Grim Reapers. Brad Carlson, later known as Bun E. Carlos, played in a rival Rockford band, the Pagans. Finally, Nielsen formed Fuse in 1967 with Tom Peterson, later known as Tom Petersson, who had played in yet another local band called The Bo Weevils.
Fuse released a self-titled album for Epic Records in 1970, which was generally ignored. Frustrated by their lack of success, Fuse recruited the two remaining members of Nazz in 1970 and ended up playing around the Midwest for 6–7 months under two monikers, Fuse or Nazz, depending on where they were gigging. With Bun E. Carlos joining on drums, Fuse moved to Philadelphia in 1971. They began calling themselves "Sick Man of Europe" in 1972–1973. After a European tour in 1973, Nielsen and Petersson returned to Rockford and reunited with Carlos.