Until Ric Ocasek died, my knowledge of Cheap Trick‘s music revolved primarily around their “Live At Budokan” album and the stuff I heard on the radio and saw on MTV. Pretty good stuff. Ric Ocasek was the driving force behind the band, The Cars, so actually had nothing to do with Cheap Trick, but we’ll get to that.

Each year an armada of musicians, manufacturers, DJ’s and music lovers descends on Anaheim, California, for the annual NAMM show. The January trade show features a dizzying array of new equipment and a plethora of private and public concerts at nearby venues. But the most impressive bash each year has to be the “Gibson Live At The Grove: Featuring Music Legends New Icons.” The company takes over the 1700 seat City National Grove of Anaheim and converts it into a giant lounge with tables for 1200 guests.

“This is for you, Dad.” Devon Allman said this around 8:30 PM last Saturday night, with his face and first finger pointed up toward the sky. It’s hard to imagine what he, as well as the other two Allman Brothers relatives in The Allman Betts Band, must have felt like getting to perform to a packed crowd in the historic and legendary hall that his dad’s original band championed so many countless times over. 

“Guitarmeggedon!” That is one of the words used by Devon Allman to describe the sheer volume of talent and amplitude displayed at Denver’s Mission Ballroom on December 8th. The metropolitan’s newest venue played host to the Allman Family Revival, a conglomerate of the Allman Betts Band and a rotating stage of support that included 17 faces from the music world, including both well-known veterans and some new faces on the scene.

Day 2 of the first annual Exit 111 Festival in Manchester Tennessee turned bright and sunny after a chilly drizzly morning. By the time the music began just before 1 pm, warm sunshine had begun to bathe the venue, offering a comfortable backdrop to the longest day of the three-day event. The sports bar had been open since 9 am and was filled with passionate alcohol-infused fans cheering on their various teams.

Nederlander Concerts brought another sold-out show to the spectacular Vina Robles Amphitheater, on a sun-drenched summer Sunday, August 25th. A double bill featuring ZZ Top and Cheap Trick filled the venue with several hours of classic rock hits. As is the custom at the mountainside venue fans arrived early to sample Vina Robles fine wines, craft beers, and gourmet snacks.

The forthcoming album release, 'This Is The Town: A Tribute to Nilsson (Volume 2),' out June 21 on Royal Potato Family, celebrates the songs of the legendary Harry Nilsson with performances by Cheap Trick, Martha Wainwright, Lauren Ruth Ward and more. Throughout this captivating set, defying expectations is a continuous theme. The 14 kindred spirits of Nilsson assembled on the collection are as stellar as they are varied in their art, each underscoring different facets of his songwriting.

Iconic US-rockers Cheap Trick have announced a special three date UK tour, with the band visiting London, Manchester and Bristol in June 2017.

Real Gone Music is on top of the world about its late Spring schedule! Headlining the slate is a rarities collection from Rockford, Illinois’s own Cheap Trick, 18 tracks taken from the 1975-1979 early days of the band. Much of the material is taken from original drummer Bun E. Carlos’ own archive, and indeed Bun has (with Ken Sharp’s able assistance) written track-by-track notes for our release. A must for Cheap Trick fans.

Power-pop pioneers Cheap Trick kicked off the 2013 Seaside Summer Concert Series, which celebrates its 35th—and possibly last—anniversary this year. While the show didn't feel very summery due to the rain, it was a rousing start to another season packed with music legends such as Smokey Robinson, The Go-Go's, and Huey Lewis and the News.