Cheap Trick was one of the more interesting looking bands on MTV in the 1980s. Two of the guys, Robin Zander and Tom Petersson, have always looked like rock stars. The drummer, Bun E. Carlos, looked more like he could have been their chain-smoking manager. And guitarist Rick Nielsen…well, he just has a look all his own with his bowties and ballcaps. But, man, can they play.
Hailing from Rockford, Illinois, Cheap Trick was formed in 1973 by guitarist Rick Nielsen, bassist Tom Petersson, lead vocalist Randy Hogan, and drummer Bun E. Carlos. Robin Zander replaced Hogan as frontman a year later. Carlos left the group in 2010, but the current lineup still includes Zander, Nielsen, and Petersson.
Cheap Trick Goes To Japan
Cheap Trick released their self-titled debut album in 1977. However, despite their Midwestern roots, the foursome first found major success all the way over in Japan with the release of their second album, In Color, later that year. They would finally achieve mainstream popularity in the U.S. with their breakthrough 1978 live album, Cheap Trick at Budokan. One of the videos in this edition of the Throwback Threesome was filmed at the iconic Japanese concert venue.
The band reached the top 10 on the US Billboard 200 album chart with Cheap Trick at Budokan and again in 1979 with Dream Police. Over the years, they built a dedicated cult following and experienced several resurgences of popularity, such as the one in 1988 following the release of their Lap of Luxury album. The beloved group has sold more than 20 million albums and was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2016.
