Cheap Trick’s Robin Zander

Cheap Trick, the enduring Rockford, Illinois quartet fronted by Robin Zander (lead vocals, rhythm guitar), Rick Nielsen (lead guitar, backing/occasional vocals, keyboards), Tom Petersson (bass, backing vocals), and Daxx Nielsen (drums, percussion, backing vocals), brought high-energy command and a hit-loaded set to Raleigh’s Coastal Credit Union Music Park on July 8, 2025, opening for Rod Stewart’s “One Last Time” tour. Motivated by a desire to reach new audiences and reconnect with long-time fans following the tour’s critical success in previous years, the band agreed to join the 20-date North American run spanning the U.S. and Canada, hitting major cities like Austin, Raleigh, Detroit, Toronto, and Vancouver. Their performance was a masterclass in power-pop stamina: costume changes reflecting their classic album eras, an array of brightly colored and custom guitars—including Rick Nielsen’s trademark five-neck and Tom’s 12-string Falcons—complemented crisp staging by Tait and lighting design by PRG, with front-of-house mix engineered by veteran soundboard chief Bob Ludwig. The crowd went wild, chanting along to “Dream Police,” “Surrender,” and “I Want You to Want Me,” and their ecstatic energy never waned. Cheap Trick has released 20 studio albums—including their 1977 debut, In Color, Heaven Tonight, Dream Police, All Shook Up, Lap of Luxury, Busted, Woke Up With a Monster, Special One, Rockford, The Latest, Bang, Zoom, Crazy… Hello, We’re All Alright!, Christmas Christmas, and In Another World—across labels such as Epic, Warner Bros., Red Ant, Big3, Big Machine, and BMG. A Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee (2016), with over 20 million albums sold, multiple gold and platinum certifications, and accolades including VH-1 rankings and statewide honors, the band also supports causes like Tom Petersson’s Rock Your Speech foundation, which helps children with autism through music. Fans and critics alike praised their attention to detail—from stage wardrobe nods to their Budokan era to the display of rare vintage guitars—and their official merchandise reflected that cult devotion, offering everything from vinyl box sets to replica guitar picks and tour-exclusive T-shirts. Backstage, the band kept things playful: Rick and Daxx reportedly sprinted through gear tunnels in a race to grab rare vintage guitar pieces before showtime, while the crew ran playback checks on the night’s opening number to refine the live mix. For more on Cheap Trick, visit their official site.

Cheap Trick