ZZ Top and Cheap Trick

In 1969 the band was formed by Billy Gibbons, a man touted by none other than the great Jimi Hendrix as the next hottest guitarist, in Houston, Texas. After a few line-up changes, Billy eventually bought in Dusty Hill on bass and Frank Beard on Drums (who ironically is the one without the beard). This line-up has remained a constant for their 40 year career which a complete rarity for a band of their caliber.

With the line-up in place, the band set about defining their signature sound, rooted in Gibbons’ uniquely raw guitar tone and the thunderous rhythm section of Hill and Beard. They experienced immediate success and this period spawned anthems like the groovy, ‘La Grange’, a catchy tune that perfectly captures the nature of its inspiration, a Texan brothel.

In 1983 they released Eliminator and shocked critics and fans with a change of direction. They added synthesizers and sequencers to their signature sound and although some fans found it hard to adjust to the change, the album went on to sell over 10 million copies and is seen as a certified classic after it spawned timeless hits like Sharp Dressed Man.

The band have continued to release music and tour and in 2004 they were deservedly inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. For these sharp dressed men, the show just keeps going.

Green Day, Motley Crue, Guns n’ Roses and Pearl Jam are just a few of the bands inspired by the seminal and influential band who came to be known as Cheap Trick. Back in 1961 teenage music enthusiast Rick Nelson found his passion in playing guitars and began playing locally in his hometown of Illinois, US. In 1967 he met bassist Tom Petersson and together they created the band Fuse who released their debut self-titled album in 1970 through Epic Records. When the album was virtually was ignored by audiences and the media and touring the Midwest, the band moved to Philadelphia, US with every intention of a fresh start.

What’s in a name? Clearly everything as the band took inspiration from Slade lyrics and began calling themselves Cheap Trick and were joined by Robin Zander who took on lead vocal duty in 1973. With Bun E Carlos on drums, the line-up was solidified and the band began recording demos in 1975 using any available space. Between the early formation of this band and their first release and popular hit “I Want You To Want Me” released in 1975, the band not only discovered their sound but developed and perfected their iconic live performances.

Through Epic Records, the band released their debut self-titled album in early 1977 which was highly praised by critics but lacked the financial success in America. However in the meantime, Japan began warming to the band as their fan base overseas was developing. By the time they released their second album “In Color” later that year with a more pop orientated sound, Japan had embraced them with open arms as the singles “Clock Strikes Ten” and “I Want You To Want Me” were smash hits there. With hysteria similar to Beatlesmania, the band toured relentlessly to thousands of adoring Japanese fans during 1979.

Upon their return to US soil, Cheap Trick released their fourth album “Dream Police” in late 1979 and experienced their first successes in their homeland as the album went to number six in the US album charts and went platinum. With their relentless touring schedule, the band won over audiences as they opened for legendary bands such as: Kiss, The Kinks and Santana.

With a career spanning over four decades, amassing a collection of admirable accolades and producing monumental musical masterpieces, Cheap Trick have solidified themselves as an American musical treasure who remain timeless throughout the years.