WXPN 885 Most Memorable Musical Moments: Live at Budokan by Cheap Trick

Philadelphia's WXPN:

#878: Live at Budokan by Cheap Trick. The pop ecstasy at the heart of any classic Cheap Trick tune draws power from a savvy marriage of Beatlesque melodies to the raw energy of punk. Cheap Trick has always known how to wow an arena of screaming fans, but they’ve merely flirted with colossal mainstream success in America. A sharp visual sense, a hunky vocalist with mighty pipes, and smart songwriting from flamboyant geek-made-good Rick Nielsen, Cheap Trick was subtly groundbreaking in the mid-70s arena rock milleu. What proved elusive to American music fans was immediately seized upon with enthusiasm of Godzilla-like proportions by Japan. Cheap Trick were superstars… over there. In 1978 Cheap Trick cashed in on this fanbase and recorded a series of performances at the Budokan to promote their fourth album Dream Police. On this live recording the energy of Cheap Trick finally translated, and it yielded their most memorable hits. “I Want You to Want Me” climbed the Billboard Top 10, and “Surrender” became an instant teen anthem.