Cheap Trick recreate Sgt. Pepper at the Hollywood Bowl

It started off interesting and nice, it ended up feeling like a classic night with more than its share of magic. Friday night at Los Angeles' legendary Hollywood Bowl, the Bowl's orchestra, with Cheap Trick as house band and assorted guest vocalists in tow, paid tribute to the 40th anniversary of the release of the Beatles' Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band. The location of the show was as historic as the show itself. It was at the bowl that the fabs played a legendary show, later released on LP, on their 1964 tour. The core of the evening was an attempt to recreate the disk in its entirety. A historic evening, conductor Edwin Outwater called it. And he wasn't far off. Geoff Emerick, who worked on almost every Beatle disk, and engineered Peppers, was in the booth doing sound. Guest vocalists included Aimee Mann, Joan Osbourne (of "What if God Were One of Us" fame), Rob Laufer who appeared in Beatlemania, and Ian Ball of British rock group Gomez, who incidentally hails from Liverpool. Cheap Trick were the perfect choice for house band as the Beatle connections are multiple. More than a few have called them the "punk rock Beatles", and their melodic sense is keenly informed by the Fabs. Robin Zander, easily one of the greatest and most underrated voices in rock,. has regularly shifted from McCartney to Lennon timbre on Trick disks; they've covered several Beatle tunes; Fab producer George Martin produced one of their disks.And they even recorded three tracks with Lennon for his last disk, sessions that were shelved reportedly because Yoko didn't like. Shame she had no taste because if you heard those three  tracks you know they put Lennon back on track. Cheap Trick was augmented for the evening on rhythm guitar and sweet vocals by singer/songwriter Bill Lloyd, formerly of country duo Foster and Lloyd, but also a highly regarded solo artist in his own right whose pop songs owe much to the Beatles as well. The evening opened with a Beatle overture from the orchestra before Cheap Trick bounded onstage for a stout rendition of Magical Mystery Tour, which they had previously covered. Each of the vocalist followed with a tune, highlights being Ian Ball's "Strawberry Fields Forever" and Joan Osbourne's take on the criminally overlooked "The Long and Winding Road". Another great moment was when CT's Rick Nielsen explained they wanted some artists to throw a curve and brought out Chicago industrial maestros, Al Jourgensen and Sin Quirin, better known to fans as Ministry. The duo fronted the band in a tonsil scraping rendition of "I Want You" which while not popular with all, certainly moved things to another plateau for most. But in all honesty, this first half, while entertaining, was tight and tentative. Everyone seemed a bit nervous. Then they took a break. When they came back to tackle Pepper's most everyone had changed outfits, and the vibes Something took hold and the whole evening shot onto another plane. Kicking off with a rocking version of the opening title track, Zander soon shared vocal duties with others, the remaining singers standing in the back around two mikes like overqualified backup singers. One highlight was George Harrison's "Within You Without You" where the band and orchestra were joined by seven Indian musicians who helped create an otherworldly sound perfectly capturing the original. The closing "A Day in the Life" was a perfect close, or so it would have seemed. The musicians left the stage to thunderous applause that didn't stop until they returned to top themselves with a phenomenal version of "All You Need is Love", sharing vocals all the way. The singers seemed to catch a ride on the positive vibe of the songs which climaxed on this last track.

Sgt. Pepper has never been performed live.. Until now. Luckily those in charge did it justice.

Comments

[Laura Faeth]

For those of us who have been Cheap Trick fans for decades, we'd knew the boys would do us proud. Their music was highly influenced by The Beatles, and Zander can indeed sound eerily like Mr. Lennon or Mr. McCartney at times. All the band members still perform with an intensity not usually seen by guys who've been in Rock 'n' Roll for over 30 years. Kudos to all the musicians and performers who contributed to make it such a special, magical, night.

[Bodie Plecas]

As a long time Cheap Trick fan I couldn't agree more! Having seen them numerous times over the last few years I can honestly say its still one of the best shows in rock.

[In my 50's]

We were at the show. It was a night to remember. Each of the guest artists brought their own take to the songs they did which made the songs almost new. The orchestra and Cheap Trick worked in sync like they had done this a thousand times. The harmony, and the music, and the performances were all perfect. Wish I had a dvd of the evening.

[Jay Christensen]

I pretty much agree with all that was said with a few exceptions and criticisms. I don't think that there has been enough praise for the L.A. Philharmonic; they simply nailed the entire album to perfection. The Indian musicians did the same and were simply wonderful and ethereal. I wish that I could say the same for all the guest vocalists. Although I am a fan of Aimee Mann, and have seen and enjoyed her performances and I think that her interpretations are noteworthy and artistic, they just didn't seem to fit the festive and jocular spirit of the album. Robin Zander was pretty much on most of the time, but seemed confused by the unusual time signature changes occurring in "Good Morning" and "A Day In the Life." Rick Nielsen's guitar virtuosity was often lost amongst the overall volume of sound--the mixer needed to give him a little more boost at the board. And last but not least, you are a handsome man Robin Zander, lose the hat, please.

[DodgerLorri]

Robin Zander could sing the dang phone book for all I care - he is just AMAZING. We were present at Friday night's performance and I agree with the accolades pouring in. The night definitely made history with the magic combo of vocalists, the Bowl Orchestra and the ever-amazing, always entertaining and incredibly talented Cheap Trick. The stand-out performer, by far, was Zander who continues to awe audiences with his range, projection, control and - in this case - incredible interpretation of an otherwise inimitable group of songs. BRAVO! (and yes, Robin, lose the hats!)

[Bodie Plecas]

Agree with both the above comments. aimee mann, great as a solo artist, was a bit disappointing (especially in light of recent comments re sgt peppers). Orchestra was fantastic. Good Morning suffered a bit from aforementioned time issues. And yes...Robin lose the hats!

[NashTrick]

Zander lives up to his label of "a man of a thousand voices" night in and night out(not bad for a gent who smokes quite heavy!)Besides sounding like Lennon and McCartney,Zander seems to have taken on more of a Roger Daltry type tone as the years have gone by since Budokan(listen to Cheap Trick's last two new releases "Special One" and the highly acclaimed "Rockford") No doubt or secret that Cheap Trick molded themselves after The Beatles...nice to see now new bands name dropping Cheap Trick as their influences! At least Cheap Trick will still be around themselves to do their own 40th shindig!!!! PEACE.

[Erie]

Once Again: Cheap Trick Proves that they belong in the Rock N Roll Hall Of Fame.. Why are they still waiting to be inducted??

[TX-jules]

There MUST be plans to market this show on CD & DVD! Sounds like a slam-dunk! Or better yet, hit the road & bring the show to to us! (Dream on. . .) Someday, maybe the R & R Hall of flame(less) will take note of Cheap Trick in their Beatlesuits. If that's what it takes, hat or no hat, they'll still be a cornerstone of American rock. Oh, and Robin Zander stated he'd quit smoking during a Howard Stern interview last year. Whatever he's doing to preserve his pipes is working. Take note, world--Cheap Trick still has "it" X infinity. Rock on!

[TrickyTolles]

Well IF ANY band was gonna cover the FAB FOUR, IT would have to be the ROCKFORD FOUR!
Cheap Trick channels the Beatles all the time. Us long time "HARDCORE" fans know this, that's part of their magic. I like the moniker of Cheap Trick as the 'PUNK BEATLES"! COOL!! Never thought of that one! But, how frickin' true!
Cheap Trick
Cheap Trick
THE WORLDS GREATEST POWER POP BAND!
WAKE UP Rock'N'Roll Hall Of Fame!! Will ya?? ;0

[teresa dumont]

I have been a Cheap Trick fan since the early 80's, I have bought all their album's and CD's, and have had the pleasure of seeing the band play a dozen times. As always a exciting and well maintain concert! I vote the band into the Hall of Fame.

[kenny]

ONE OF THE BEST , IF NOT THE BEST SHOW I HAVE EVER HAD THE HONOR OF SEEING...CHEAP TRICK IS THE MOST UNDER RATED BAND OF ALL TIME. NUFF' SAID.....