Cheap Trick

Cheap Trick are an American rock band from Rockford, Illinois, that gained popularity in the late 1970s. The band members are Rick Nielsen (guitarist and main songwriter), Bun E. Carlos

Cheap Trick are an American rock band from Rockford, Illinois, that gained popularity in the late 1970s. The band members are Rick Nielsen (guitarist and main songwriter), Bun E. Carlos (born Brad Carlson) (drums), Robin Zander (vocals and guitars), and Tom Petersson (bass guitar). Though they have had only brief flirtations with mainstream success, Cheap Trick has held a substantial following through regular touring and a hard-edged yet blissful pop sound that combines the tunefulness of The Beatles with the speed and energy of punk rock. The band's biggest hits over the years include "I Want You to Want Me", "Surrender", "Dream Police", "Don't Be Cruel" (a cover of Elvis' hit), and "The Flame". Their most recent release, Rockford, has gained critical acclaim.

Rockford, Il. natives Rick Nielsen, Tom Petersson, and Bun E. Carlos, along with Wisconsin native Robin Zander formed a Midwest coming-of-age band just as the British Invasion hit. Inspired by British rock, these young men did what a lot of other young music fans did, picking up instruments and forming bands. While Bun E Carlos performed in a band known as The Pagans (not the Punk Rock band) and released a single "Good Day Sunshine" and "I Can Only Give You Everything" on the flip side. Rick had a band called The Phaetons and then later with Grim Reaper, which also released a single "Hound Dog" and the flip side "Cruisin' for Burgers" (also released on the FUSE cd). Tom was in a band called The Bo Weevils. Tom and Rick eventually formed and toured as FUSE and made their long-playing debut album on a 1969 self-titled project FUSE. Nielsen and Petersson subsequently launched Sick Man of Europe with Carlos and Robert "Stewkey" Antoni, the former singer of Nazz.