Cheap Trick

USA, 1973–now

Rockford, Illinois band formed in 1973, combining Beatles-derived melody with hard rock. Cheap Trick at Budokan, recorded in Japan, brought them a US audience.

MusicRoots documents 5 artists who influenced Cheap Trick and 2 artists Cheap Trick influenced in turn. Every connection cites a published source.

Who influenced Cheap Trick?

• The Beatles — Cheap Trick built on the melodic foundation the Beatles laid — Beatlesque hooks are the pop half of their power-pop.
• The Who — The Who's power-chord aggression and Keith Moon's attack shaped the hard-rock half of Cheap Trick's sound.
• The Rolling Stones — The Rolling Stones were among the British rock bands central to Cheap Trick's musical palette.
• Kiss — Cheap Trick made no secret of their love of Kiss records — the big, dumb-fun hard-rock spectacle in their DNA.
• Ramones — The raw guitar roar of first-wave punks like the Ramones fed the speed and edge of Cheap Trick.

Which artists did Cheap Trick influence?

• Weezer — Cheap Trick's crunchy power-pop is a clear model for Weezer's blend of big guitars and bubblegum melody.
• The Vines — Heard on the debut alongside the Beatles, the Kinks and Nirvana.