Cheap Trick rose to fame in the late 1970s with a string of power pop hits like “Surrender” and “I Want You to Want Me.” But before achieving mainstream success, the band got its start playing shows in the Midwest and releasing its self-titled debut album in 1977.
Cheap Trick’s Early Days
Cheap Trick formed in Rockford, Illinois in 1974 when guitarist Rick Nielsen recruited drummer Bun E. Carlos, bassist Tom Petersson, and vocalist Randy “Xeno” Hogan. The band played shows across the Midwest and developed a following through their high-energy live performances.
In early 1976, Cheap Trick signed a recording contract with Epic Records and headed to Los Angeles to record their first album. Partway through the sessions, Xeno Hogan left the band and was replaced by Robin Zander, who would go on to become Cheap Trick’s iconic lead singer.
Recording the Debut Album
Cheap Trick’s self-titled debut album was recorded at The Village Recorder in West Los Angeles and produced by Jack Douglas, who had previously worked with Aerosmith. The album was released on February 1977 and contained ten original songs written by Rick Nielsen.
The music on Cheap Trick’s first album blended melodic pop songwriting with a hard rock crunch. Nielsen’s gritty guitar riffs were an important part of the band’s sound from the very beginning. Drummer Bun E. Carlos provided a solid backbeat and theatrical vocalist Robin Zander proved he was more than up to the task of replacing original singer Xeno Hogan.
Song Highlights
Some of the standout tracks on Cheap Trick’s debut release include:
- “Hot Love” – A high-energy rocker driven by crunchy distorted guitars.
- “He’s a Whore” – A tongue-in-cheek number with a catchy chord progression.
- “The Ballad of T.V. Violence” – A quirky track with an infectious chorus.
- “Mandocello” – A melodic pop tune featuring a mandolin-like guitar riff.
- “Cry, Cry” – A heartfelt ballad that showcased Robin Zander’s vocal abilities.
While the album did not produce any major hit singles, it demonstrated the band’s knack for combining pop melodies with hard rock crunch. Songs like “He’s a Whore” and “Hot Love” became favorites during Cheap Trick’s live shows.
Initial Reception
Upon its release in February 1977, Cheap Trick’s self-titled debut album received generally favorable reviews from music critics, especially within the Midwestern United States. Regional radio stations like WMMS in Cleveland helped drive interest in the band by playing tracks like “Cry, Cry” and “Mandocello.”
But outside of the Midwest, the album failed to gain much commercial traction. It peaked at #199 on the Billboard 200 albums chart, which was considered quite disappointing. The album also failed to produce any hit singles.
However, Cheap Trick’s energetic live shows were starting to create buzz for the band. Their debut album helped them land shows at famous clubs like CBGB in New York City and the Whisky a Go Go in Los Angeles. It took a few years, but the band would eventually break through to wider success.
Legacy and Influence
Though it was not initially a big seller, Cheap Trick’s self-titled debut remains an important album in the band’s catalog for several reasons:
- It established Cheap Trick’s musical identity – Their mix of melodic pop songcraft with hard driving rock and roll.
- It marked the first collaboration of the classic lineup – Robin Zander, Rick Nielsen, Tom Petersson, and Bun E. Carlos.
- Songs like “He’s a Whore” and “Mandocello” became staples of Cheap Trick’s explosive live show.
- It sowed early seeds of success in the Midwest that the band would later build upon.
Cheap Trick’s unique blend of pop and hard rock went on to influence numerous bands who came after them like The Smashing Pumpkins, Stone Temple Pilots, and Dream Theater. But it all started with those first raw tracks they put down on their 1977 debut.
Tracklist
Here is the full tracklist for Cheap Trick’s 1977 self-titled debut album:
| Song | Length |
|---|---|
| Hot Love | 2:54 |
| Speak Now or Forever Hold Your Peace | 4:14 |
| He’s a Whore | 3:23 |
| The Ballad of TV Violence (I’m Not the Only Boy) | 3:41 |
| Mandocello | 3:32 |
| The Train Kept a Rollin’ | 5:32 |
| Cry, Cry | 4:17 |
| Oh Caroline | 3:06 |
| Clock Strikes Ten | 3:40 |
| ELO Kiddies | 3:42 |
The album contains 10 original songs, including the band’s first minor hit single “Cry, Cry.” The tracklist showcases Cheap Trick’s diversity, from hard rocking numbers to pop ballads.
Album Cover Art
The cover art for Cheap Trick’s debut album was designed by photographer Andee Nathanson. It features a centered image of Robin Zander singing into a vintage RCA microphone.
Zander appears bathed in red stage lighting, with his eyes closed and mouth open in a theatrical pose. In the background behind him, Rick Nielsen, Tom Petersson, and Bun E. Carlos are visible laying on the floor surrounded by guitars and other music gear.
The album cover captures Cheap Trick’s raw, rock-and-roll image at the dawn of their career. Zander’s flamboyant persona is put front and center as the band’s focal point and charismatic lead singer.
Where Are They Now?
Cheap Trick continue to perform and record new music up to the present day. Here’s a quick look at what the four members from that classic debut album lineup are up to now:
- Robin Zander – Still Cheap Trick’s lead singer, he has performed on all 20 of their studio albums.
- Rick Nielsen – Remains Cheap Trick’s principal songwriter and guitarist.
- Tom Petersson – Briefly left group in 1980 but returned and still plays bass for Cheap Trick today.
- Bun E. Carlos – Stopped touring with band in 2010 but officially remains a member. Plays drums for other artists.
Cheap Trick has gone through several lineup changes over the decades but the music on that first album still represents the foundation of their signature sound.
Cheap Trick’s Debut, A Sign of Things to Come
While it did not achieve huge commercial success, Cheap Trick’s self-titled first album demonstrated the potent musical chemistry of the band’s early lineup. It laid the groundwork for their later hits and influence.
The debut album first showcased Robin Zander’s vocal talents, Rick Nielsen’s crunchy guitar riffs, and their ability to blend melodic pop with hard driving rock. These qualities would all be expanded on their next two albums – “In Color” in 1977 and “Heaven Tonight” in 1978 – which brought the band more mainstream popularity.
But it all started in 1977 with those very first tracks they cooked up together at The Village Recorder studio in Los Angeles. Cheap Trick cemented their signature sound on this eponymous initial creative endeavor.
The album is an important part of Cheap Trick’s discography because it captures the band at their raw beginnings. While they would polish things up in later releases, that debut album retains an energetic, unvarnished feel. It’s a fascinating artifact for fans to look back on and see the earliest stages of the group’s influential power pop rock sound.
So anytime a rock music historian asks “What was Cheap Trick’s first album?” – the answer is their self-titled 1977 debut. That album marks the genesis of one of America’s most beloved rock bands.