Going to see Cheap Trick tomorrow

[geoff_hartwell]

Hey Gang!

I have never seen them live and am looking forward to it. I did one show opening for RZ band about 10 years ago but I doubt he would remember and I have no continued management connection. Anybody work with their management or techs and feel like pming me? It’s a County Fair in upstate NY so the setting for the gig May make it more, or less, conducive to having extra time or positive energy lol. I don’t need a ticket or guest list, just looking to say hi and admire a guitar or two, but I can certainly also do that from a distance.

For the die-hards, What do you love about the CT shows and what should I be expecting? TIA

Edited August 19, 2025 by geoff_hartwell

[velorush]

I used to run spot / setup for acts when I was in college. We were on CT's regular touring circuit along with Molly Hatchet, .38 Special, etc. The stage was always in the "old" fieldhouse against this wall:

 

I would be stationed with a Strong Supertrooper on a riser upstairs opposite the stage (up the bleacher stairs to the right of this photo). They always put on a great show, but the guitar show backstage was always my favorite part. Outside of a (large) music store, I'd never seen so many guitars at one time. He had this new brand I'd only ever seen in magazines. Hammer? Hamer? 😉

[bry4321]

I love when they pull some deep cut or include some unexpected song in the setlist. Sounds like you are seeing them as a main act, not opener, which may increase that possibility. Opportunities like this one are not going to be around much longer, and I hope it surpasses your expectations. And that you get to meet them! But look forward to a report regardless. Robin's son Robin Taylor Zander has been playing with them, but I'm not sure if that's still the case. 

[Wordupperman]

I like when they let Peterson sing lead. 

 

[crunchee]

I saw them for both Tokyo shows in 1999, back when I was stationed in Japan with the US Navy.  Good shows both, the second venue (Sun Plaza, Tokyo) had a fantastic sound system, everything sounded great and loud, plus it was dialed in to where it was actually enjoyable to be there, my ears didn't ring the next day like they did after the Shibuya Kokeido a couple of days before...and no, I wasn't wearing earplugs.  Plus, Rick went out on one of the lobby balconies before the Sun Plaza show and made it rain guitar picks!  

Gigs 1990-99

Cheap Trick Concert Setlist at Nakano Sunplaza, Tokyo on October 15, 1999 | setlist.fm

[Dave Scepter]

Saw Cheap Trick when they first came out, opening up for KISS at the cow palace in 77... can't remember much, 🤪... I liked them, but they got booed~

"Consider the crowd"

I couldn't find a photo so II'll just use this one.

Edited August 21, 2025 by Dave Scepter

[mathman]

I've seen them more times than I can count.  Since I am a math teacher you can be sure that is a lot.  (hahahaha). Well.  Anyway.  First was in 1979 in San Diego but I saw them multiple times in Mobile, Mississippi, once at a bar in Gainesville, at a festival in St. Pete. Been over ten years since the last time I saw them.  I am sure the music is great and Robin's voice seems timeless. I love Rick but his playing has deteriorated.  I know someone (kiz 😄) will be ready to say it was always that way but I always loved his sloppy style and the riffs and music he made is some of the best ever in my opinion.

[Jakeboy]

CT was my first proper concert and I have seen them more than any other. I still miss Bun E. He was a major part of their intelligent quirkiness that I love. Expect a stream of great and fun guitars. Tom’s 8 and 12 string basses sound great too. Humor, intelligence, and great fun songs. Last two time I saw them I got there in time for soundcheck (outdoors) and they played Beatles tunes like Dr. Robert and She Said, She Said. Enjoy! 

[Steve Haynie]

A sign they are not all alright...  

 

 

[Dave Scepter]

17 minutes ago, Steve Haynie said:

A sign they are not all alright...  

 

 

Why didn't the roadie dude help him put the guitar on when he helped him with his strap? 🤬

[kizanski]

Pitiful.

Time to hang it up, guys.

[RobB]

6 hours ago, Dave Scepter said:

Why didn't the roadie dude help him put the guitar on when he helped him with his strap? 🤬

He did. RN waved him off.  

When you’re 70 years old and you can’t lift a 50lb five neck over your head/shoulders, it’s time to pack it in. 

[mathman]

1 hour ago, RobB said:

He did. RN waved him off.  

When you’re 70 years old and you can’t lift a 50lb five neck over your head/shoulders, it’s time to pack it in. 

I'd would love to be able to take this test.  Please send me a five neck guitar in the next 5 years so once I reach 70 I can take the test....  If I fail I hope I prop it up and play the top guitar instead....  😀

[Dave Scepter]

1 hour ago, RobB said:

He did. RN waved him off.  

When you’re 70 years old and you can’t lift a 50lb five neck over your head/shoulders, it’s time to pack it in. 

Just fuk'n help an old man out for Christ's sakes... There are people half his age that whine and complain about playing a 10 lb Les Paul 🤣

[Jakeboy]

It is at least time for him to no longer attempt to play the 5 neck.  That made me embarrassed for him. He is a rocker who loves to rock. 
Time to stick  to single necks. Ugh. That hurt me to watch him struggle like that.

[kizanski]

1 hour ago, Jakeboy said:

It is at least time for him to no longer attempt to play the 5 neck.  That made me embarrassed for him. He is a rocker who loves to rock. 
Time to stick  to single necks. Ugh. That hurt me to watch him struggle like that.

The only rocking he's doing is in a fucking chair.

[HoboMan]

I saw them in the early 80s with UFO opening up.

KILLER show.

[bubs_42]

I got bad news for a lot of you guys. Back when we did the first of the Chicago/ Paul Hamer events, I won the award for youngest member in attendance. Since then I passed over the hill and I can see 50 from where I’m standing. I didn't’ see CT for the first time until 96/97 because well, I was finally  old enough to drive myself to the venue. LOL 😂 

Edited August 25, 2025 by bubs_42

[Disturber]

On 8/19/2025 at 10:47 PM, velorush said:

He had this new brand I'd only ever seen in magazines. Hammer? Hamer? 😉

His name is Rick NELSON and he played them HAMMER gittars for a looooong time.

I have never seen them. I just did a search and it seems they have not played a public show here in Stockholm since 1979. According to @crunchee's list above they did  a tv broadcast here on october 22nd 1990 in support for the Busted album. I wish I had been there.

 

 😞 They are a band that I still would love to see live.

[Brooks]

Saw them ~94 in a medium sized club in Raleigh NC, kickarse! 

This band Flipp opened, they were fun and had a killer multi color Kustom tuck & roll backline;

 

Edited August 25, 2025 by Brooks

[BTMN]

Don’t know when thus was shot but he didn’t have the 5 neck in May when I saw them. I was disappointed but then I wasn’t. 
 

[Disturber]

Just saw this on Instagram. Looks like the 5 neck is to heavy for him now. Put it on a stand or retire it? Or retire the band?

What's your opinion?

 

 

[tbonesullivan]

Looks like he needs to hit the gym more likely. Or get some type of hook on his shoulder for the strap to go around. He couldn't get it to stick.

[stonge]

I had that thing on once and it's gotta weigh about 30-35 pounds. He has lighter guitars, but changing them every song is part of his shtick. If he didn't run around for at least part of a song with a 5-neck the fans would be disappointed. Maybe he should just stick it in a stand onstage as a static display lol.

[velorush]

20 hours ago, stonge said:

Maybe he should just stick it in a stand onstage as a static display lol.

Brilliant! Like Lerxst's Omega Stand for acoustics.