Turn On The Radio: 1980S

Turn On The Radio: 1980S

The performances presented here perfectly illustrate the breadth and depth of the Cheap Trick songbook by the 1980s. The first comes for Wisconsin and The Alpine Valley Music Theatre, East Troy on the 3rd of July 1982. Broadcast on KMET-FM, the concert took place a few months after the release of 'One on One', during the first tour to feature new bassist Jon Brant. The band had played the 37,000 capacity Alpine Valley for three years in succession, reflecting their passionate following in Wisonsin, and the cacophonous, raucous atmosphere is a highlight of the recording. The set features half of the material on 'One on One', including the album's four singles ('If You Want My Love', 'She's Tight', 'Saturday at Midnight' and 'I Want You') accompanied by a greatest hits run through of their best-known songs. It's a stunning way to announce the band's new line-up as they moved into the early part of the decade and an expressive reminder of why they now commanded industry-wide respect amongst their peers. The second gig represents a fascinating snapshot of Cheap Trick at the opposite end of the decade and finds the band back in Wisconsin for a show at the Summerfest in Milwaukee on July the 1st, 1987. Broadcast live from the festival by 93WQ-FM, the performance instead focuses on a catalogue of their strongest work, re-establishing the band's musical personality and reminding the public of what they are at their very best. Taken together these shows are the essential sonic essay of Cheap Trick during the 1980s and will be both an important part of any fan's collection, as well as a comprehensive introduction to the group's second era.