Saturday, July 30, 2022

Max's Kansas City

While they were in NYC recording the first album Cheap Trick performed at legendary Max's Kansas City. Two nights were booked but they only played Thursday, Sunday was cancelled. The motivation behind the shows was for Robin to warm up his voice to record his vocal tracks for the album, and one night proved sufficient.











The very same day: 



Sunday, July 24, 2022

TRIP TO LOS ANGELES



In November 1975 Cheap Trick invaded Los Angeles, booked to perform three nights at the legendary Starwood on the Sunset Strip (opening for a group called Bandit). They were hoping to get noticed by the right people.



Invitations were distributed to record industry insiders:




While in LA, Ken Adamany shot a roll of film, documenting his promotional efforts. I was able to have the negatives scanned:









This photo was used for a promotional postcard.


















Learn more in This Band Has No Past: How Cheap Trick Became Cheap Trick, available September 6 from Jawbone Press.





Friday, July 22, 2022

Backstage at the Dog Day Rock Fest


In September 1977 Cheap Trick were added late to the bill for the Dog Day Rock Fest in Atlanta. Rich Kwasniewski snapped some shots of Rick Nielsen clowning around backstage.





Security!



Rick and his guitar tech, Dave Wilmer:


Photos by Rich Kwasniewski.








 

Friday, July 15, 2022

Shaw Street Smackers

The Shaw Street Smackers were a softball team made up of members of the band Fuse, along with crew members and friends. 

Joe Sundberg, the first singer for Fuse (back row, red sleeves), Stewkey, the second singer for Fuse (back row, red bandana), Thom Mooney, second drummer for Fuse (front row, second from left), Tom Petersson, bassist for Fuse (front row, far right). Photo courtesy of Stewkey.


In June 1971 the Shaw Street Smackers faced off against a team made up of local police. Rockford newspapers had a lot of fun with the match up. 




The cops won the first game but the hippies prevailed in a rematch. A week later, the band Fuse was no more. 



A booking for a few days later at Flo's Inn presumably didn't happen.



l to r: Craig Myers, Rick Nielsen, Stewkey, Tom Peterson, Thom Mooney. 
Courtesy of John Callaci.











 

Friday, July 8, 2022

Michigan club shot


On stage somewhere in Michigan, probably East Lansing or Ann Arbor. 1976?
Photographer: Robert Schoff

The Trades