Cheap Trick Electrifies Pac Amp- Costa Mesa, CA
Cheap Trick- Pac Amp-Costa Mesa, CA-Photos by Ralph Palumbo
It’s been 47 years since “Live at Budokan” was recorded. If you heard it when released, you knew it was an instant classic, but does Cheap Trick still reign as a stellar live act? The answer is Yes they do.
The evening began with Blue Oyster Cult warming up the crowd, and the evening turned nostalgic, yet electrifying.
Cheap Trick, a touring band since the 70’s, known to be a fun live group brought a high energy set to the Pac Amp in Costa Mesa, CA. The band sounded amazing, the fan engagement was high and their playful stage presence remains entertaining.
The band featured Rick’s son Daxx Nielsen on heavy artillery, and his drum solo on Ain’t That a Shame, honored the signature Bun E. Carlos grove.
Tom Peterson impressed with a 12-string bass solo, and his vocal feature on I Know What I Want.
Guitar player & collector, Rick Nielsen switch guitars so many times, I lost count- never mind the constant pick tossing, which keeps fans on their toes. I mean check out his mic stand in the photo above.
Robin Zander still gets attention from the ladies and was widely praised- Rick even called him his “favorite singer in the whole world” more than once.
The band ended with the traditional “Goodnight”, anchoring their vast legacy in rock history while proving they still put on a killer live show.
