Cheap Trick on their 'At Budokan' Live Album | The Big Interview

Robin Zander, Tom Petersson, and Rick Nielsen of Cheap Trick talk about their infamous "At Budokan" live album (which included a legendary performance of "I Want You to Want Me," how they garnered such a massive fan base in Japan, what they learned by opening for bands like KISS and Queen, and more on The Big Interview!
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[@Brad-S]

Wish AXS TV would show the whole interview here on YT. Instead of The Small Interview we got here.

[@vayabroder729]

What a killer band!

[@robcreel4257]

Cheap Trick was my second concert experience. I had enough money to go see one show. It was either The Kinks or Cheap Trick. That was 1977. I never did get to see the Kinks. I've seen Cheap Trick several times over the years. Always a great show!

[@AR-pm9nv]

Was a great time to be 15, and in a high school rock band. So many killer influences.

[@robertbehan6348]

Cheap Trick was my first rock concert back in 1978! And they still sound so great today!

[@scottstambaugh8473]

mine too!

[@KatieJoMikell]

Mine too at Chicago fest!

[@Comet-hn3gm]

Still, one of the best albums and one of my favorites. I like every song on it.

[@kolchak357]

One of the bands I’ve seen live the most. Love that band, especially live. Always a fun show. 🤘

[@DEE-o4v]

I"ve seen them either 8 or 9 times....I prefer to ONLY see them when they ARE the main act. Helluva show each time.

[@Jamesharris-lo9nn]

One of the greatest bands ever! Saw them for the 17th time just a month ago and they are still awesome in concert! Long Live Cheap Trick! 🎙️🎸🤘

[@DEE-o4v]

Wow! 17 times....I saw them 9 and I thought I was doing good. Robin's voice was perfect still! (I saw them about 6 months ago in Northfield, OH at the MGM casino - almost a full 2 hour show).

[@ZippyThePinhead]

Never was a big fan back in the 70's/80's, it wasn't til about 10 or so years ago they did a PBS special I watched, and I was blown away. Glad they got back together & are still making music together. Wish Bun E was still playing, but he's got his own reasons.

[@puterio034]

I adore Cheap Trick and seen them many many times

[@DEE-o4v]

As far as single LIVE albums - there are 3 - Live at Leeds, Get Yer Ya's Ya's Out, and Trick Live at Budokan. The Trick show reeks with incredible energy. Fantastic album...song of my teenage years. I"ve seen this band at least 8 times (maybe 9)....incredible show EACH time. Last time...move over you younger rockers....this particular Trick show was HARD & HEAVY......the way Trick is best! That was the way to show these young punks HOW to do it! Robin's voice is INCREDIBLE STILL!

[@MrDoneboy]

CT was the first band I saw play live, when the opened for Foreigner in 1978!

[@granthoule]

They were the first band I saw live when they opened for KISS in 1977!

[@julenepegher6999]

I just saw them in Pittsburgh back in August, they were fantastic! Robin still a doll ❤ first time I saw them but better late than never. 😊

[@magneto7930]

I saw them a few years ago. They all look and sound great for their age!

[@julenepegher6999]

@@magneto7930 I wish I could have seen them in their heyday, but that was my heyday too. 😊

[@magneto7930]

@julenepegher6999 I didn't see them until many decades later, which is kind of strange considering in my early 20's I would have seen just about any concert that came around. but like you said, better late than never!

[@marshalllancaster2314]

Love that CT is getting the love!

[@lastdaysguitar]

In Tom's absence, they were VERY fortunate to have found Jon Brant - the guy was, & is a masterful bassist and all around great rocker.

[@punkrawkdad]

100%. Man, those 4 albums with Brant had some great tracks on them. I personally love One on One and Next Position Please.

[@kurtzcol]

great singer that Robin

[@kyliepollert8341]

I just watched this interview on Crackle a couple months ago, and didn't expect to enjoy it as much as I did. I've never been a huge fan, but like several of their songs (of course, "I Want You to Want Me" and its holiday counterpart, "I Want You for Christmas", "Surrender", "The Flame" and even "Just Got Back", which was included in the soundtrack to "Grown Ups"), but now that I've watched this, I must say Robin, Rick and Tom do seem like really nice guys, from what Ann & Nancy Wilson of Heart said about Cheap Trick, when they toured together.

[@davidsweet7230]

Epic . Bun E Carlos was so vital to the overall sound. Not even close without him.

[@emma9833]

LMAO! You WISH that was true. Daxx adds vitality to the band that they didn't have with Bun. Bun wanted to be stagnant and be a house band in Vegas. Bun actually criticized Robin for wanting to put his family first!

[@PinkPumpkin529]

Cheap Trick one of my ALL TIME FAVS!!! ❤ But, only w/Bun on the kit! Am "addicted" to drummers, Dennis Wilson my first famous "crush" but Bun E. Carlos reigns SUPREME!!! Long live Bun bcuz Cheap Trick w/o Bun, just Cheap! ✌️🤘

[@brittdanielrocks]

🤘🤘🎸 🎸 🌹

[@emma9833]

You obviously know NOTHING about the band. Daxx is an extremely important part of the band. Bun turned out to be a real jerk after criticizing Robin for wanting to put his family first.

[@PinkPumpkin529]

@@emma9833 And you know this bcuz you're a close personal friend? This is MY OPINION!!! So, goody goody for you!!!

[@PinkPumpkin529]

@@emma9833 Waaaaa

[@donbrashsux]

Love this Band .. they had it all

[@Wishes890]

My first rock concert in 77 was KISS and Cheap Trick opened for them. Great show by both bands!

[@itchyandred4131]

Love this band 💕 I first saw them when they opened for kiss august 16th 1977 the day Elvis Presley died, what an awesome show ✌️

[@bartonpercival3216]

I was at that show too, The Cow Palace in Daly City!!!!!!! 👍

[@itchyandred4131]

@@bartonpercival3216 very cool, I was 12 years old when I saw them ✌️

[@bartonpercival3216]

@@itchyandred4131 Wow you were very young when you saw them. I'm older than you I was 22 when I saw them at the Cow Palace. I've seen CT over 25 times live since they opened for KISS in 77. And only once without Tom Petersson. That was in 1981 at the Oakland auditorium when they headlined with UFO!!!! 👍🎸

[@itchyandred4131]

@@bartonpercival3216 that's a lot! That was the only time I saw cheap trick but I have seen KISS 4 times and only with the original members......... kissfreak for life 🤘✌️

[@bartonpercival3216]

@@itchyandred4131 Yes I agree, I only saw KISS that one time in 77 but to me that will always be the real KISS. I'm glad I got to see them at their very best. My twin brother who took me to the KISS & Cheap Trick concert has seen KISS many times. In 1976 at Winterland in SF and he works for Pearl drums and he's met all the KISS members. Pretty cool!!!!!!! 👍

[@notpub]

Best band ever!! I still have the '78 Rick pick I caught!!!!

[@boldporcupine]

4:53 The low point is now, sitting there without Bun E. for no good reason wondering how you "replace a quarter of your creativity".

[@Boggedy]

Exactly what I was thinking.

[@renatamalvern670]

Love these guys, still don't understand how this argument got so out of control between Robin and Bun, but glad they're still around, they're great. Have always seen them when they come to Australia ,

[@lynnturman8157]

Live at Budakhan was HUGE when it came out. When they broke, they broke big.

[@bartonpercival3216]

*Alright Tokyo, are you ready, will you welcome Epic recording artists Cheap Trick" 👍🎸

[@maxthepupp]

Cheap Trick may be the most underappreciated American rock band. Its prolly a long list but they're on it. But IYKYK!🤘😎🤘❤

[@timcastens1150]

I saw the Kinks at the Budakon in 81, great show with the Pretenders.

[@crisrose521]

Ironically , the band’s greatest studio was done during Toms absence which they didn’t mention which was Standing On the Edge that came out in 1985 and was produced by Jack Douglas who produced the bands debut album in ‘77 and they didn’t mention the dispute they had over ownership of the bands name “ Cheap Trick “ though Rick hinted on it a bit

[@jaysantiago9673]

Standing wasn't their greatest ANYTHING!!!! Are you joking or f-tarded?

[@DrTomoculus]

That is genius. As one somewhat knowledgable about Japanese manga comics, through my own study, and my son's absolute love for them, that Cheap Trick achieved recognition in that country because they look like cartoon characters, before anyone had even heard a note, is just amazing. That's the gods smiling down on your fortune. Hmmmm. George Martin produces their album, this actually ends up stalling their career, and they lose their bass player. Hmmmm. They go to Julian Lennon's birthday party, they get their bass player back. Hmmmmm.

[@71rcode72]

Shame Bun E is not present

[@ARIZJOE]

This demonstrates the role of luck in life, and Rick Nielsen's industriousness. A Japanese-American friend told me Queen was the biggest thing in Japan before this happened. Then Nielsen is asked to write an article on Queen, and it causes a stir. There was an opportunity, Cheap Trick took advantage of it, and they unwittingly found the success that had eluded them.

[@BarneyRq1d]

Man, Robin doesn't age.

[@markbruno72]

Neither has his voice. He's still one of the best rock singers around.

[@BarneyRq1d]

@markbruno72 I concur. Dude must take care of himself, unlike so many others in his profession. He's the American Roger Daltrey, lol.

[@TABLETMYCAT]

Robin is dreamy to listen to and look at.

[@mrmonster7518]

great band

[@telecasterbear]

I first saw the boys in the fall of 1978. They opened for ritchie blackmores rainbow with ronnie james dio.

[@Backstage61]

Great Stuff

[@aaronblanchard4538]

Seen em twice, theyre the best dirty lil rockband in the world!

[@phatato]

I wish he would've asked them about how they felt about their Japanese live album becoming what broke them internationally

[@ronschwolsky1626]

...and no mention of Bun E.

[@twoblacklabs904]

Ron, they supposedly “settled up” with Bun E., paid him his back finances, restored his 1/4 voting rights and decision making abilities after he took those 3 to federal court AND WON. Still, he refuses to play with them because they destroyed the friendship and equal partnership. So he continues in an informal business arrangement, but sadly, he will never work with them on any stage, any longer…

[@mooch514]

I like cheap trick. Under rated

[@The_Octopus]

That was a classic

[@mooch514]

Kiss holds the record for consecutive nights played at budokhan . Even more than the beatles

[@tfeesch]

Legendary producer Tom Werman recently said Bun E Carlos was the best drummer he ever worked with. However, Bun sued CT and now gets 25% of all of the revenue CT generates. So, the other 3 bust their back touring, they have to pay the extra musicians they hire, the crew etc. Bun E makes more than the guys doing the work. I understand their frustration

[@Michael-F4ul5kzbuck]

lol Robin Zanders eyes in the cartoon depiction

[@stevemurray2737]

Killllller Live Band! Still kind of under the Radar…

[@twoblacklabs904]

C’mon guys, settle the score once and for all and put away the hard feelings with original founding drummer Bun E. Carlos! Life’s too short to hold stupid grudges…

[@SirSneakerPimp]

What is the feud? I was wondering why Bun isn’t there too.

[@brotherhiram5682]

Bun E Carlos has health problems. He approved of Dax being the drummer.

[@boldporcupine]

I don't think it's health reasons. My understanding is that Bun E. wanted to tour when Robin was trying to raise his child and he got pissed over Bun's remarks so they got rid of him. Petty if true. Bun E. accepts Dax because he still has a 25% interest in the band.

[@davidteller7681]

Cheap Trick had just finished a residency in Las Vegas and were offered a huge sum to extend it. Robin's wife had just had a baby and he wanted to be home for a while. Bun wanted to take the offer. Things were said...Daxx is now the drummer.

[@grandadneal8114]

We need Bunny back

[@cheaptricked]

I would love if someone could explain the entire Tom/Pete/Jon transitions; I felt like Tom was leaving quite a bit out of the story?

[@zanderseymour4937]

Yeo...he forgot about Dagmar

[@toolsgear2695]

Where is Bun? I thought technically he was still a member of the band? 🙄🙄🙄

[@stylesb959]

Love cheap trick . Would have liked to see bunn e Carlos there though . Too short a clip

[@libertyvilleguy2903]

What is the source of the hard feelings between these guys and Bun E. Carlos?

[@zanderseymour4937]

Robin is mad at Bun E for a remark he made. He wanted to do more shows (maybe in Vegas) ...but Robin wanted his kids to be able to stay in Florida at their school. Bun E said ...so now we are doing shows around your kids school schedule?...or something like that. Robin said..F you Bun E! ....the end?

[@Michael-F4ul5kzbuck]

they look so happy.. unlike most rockers

[@stevecox4534]

How do you not mention Bun E. Carlos? Lame!

[@MrTroySinister]

There's a rift there Due to Bun E ' s herion addiction

[@RandyFricke]

It's so sad that things went so south between them and Bun E.

[@guitarslim56]

Why is Bun E not invited?

[@thedadyouneverhadchannel3544]

They had one damn song that I never want to hear again!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@hi_desert_rat]

Is Bun E. Still around?

[@vayabroder729]

Yes but he retired from Cheap Trick. Still playing but very sparsely.

[@mph7282]

@@vayabroder729”Retired” is an interesting way to put it.

[@vayabroder729]

@@mph7282 I remember reading he didn’t have the stamina to keep with the work and touring schedule.

[@mph7282]

@@vayabroder729 he’s said in interviews that they just called him out of the blue one day and said “don’t bother coming to the next gig, we don’t want you here.” He filed lawsuits to keep his financial portion of the band, which were eventually settled and he did, so he’s still a business partner, but he was essentially fired from performing with them.

[@vayabroder729]

@@mph7282 So the cause of his getting fired was maybe his lack of stamina? Gotta be hard for a drummer to keep up as he ages. I recall Peter Criss was in a similar situation during Kiss’ Psycho Circus reunion tour.

[@chriskelly6559]

Cheap Trick music, a kegger, a fatty, a hot chick, ah the '70's.

[@iggypopisgod9]

Cheap Trick music, a kegger, a fatty, a hot chick, ah the '70's..... 3 out 4 aint bad

[@robfuzz]

It's just a shame that unlike their contemporaries, they had to go back to being an opening act. They didn't seem to be able to hold on to their 'cool' factor very long. I wonder how much Tom's departure really affected their status.

[@lizahadiz8835]

I think fans were more upset when Bun E was no longer playing with the band than when Tom left. But I could be wrong. I was sure glad when Tom came back though.

[@zanderseymour4937]

Bun E is missing!!!! Ain't that a shame?

[@PaulMcCaffreyfmac]

Sad to see 'em without Bun E.

[@jupiterlegrand4817]

Yeah, well...what about when you lose the OTHER quarter of your band? Without Bun E. it ain't Cheap Trick.

[@latintraveler1152]

How about adding it was the Drummer Bun E. Carlos who fought for Tom's return. Later they bounced Bun E. from the band, only to get sued and taken to the cleaners by the Judge who righted a wrong.

[@robertmunoz7543]

Almost famous?😳 Jman

[@blakesoutherlandLasVegas]

one of the greatest bands ever

[@mikewazowski350]

It's disappointing to know Bun and the rest don't get along. I know they settled it, but....

[@tomallen5837]

"small target, too" lol

[@Madnessonman]

That would have been awesome to hear with two of the best voices in rock in one show. Robin of CT and Fred of Queen.

[@kiereluurs1243]

I hate pointless announcements.

[@Dooguy]

This aint cheap trick. Bun E isnt here. Zander did him wrong I believe.

[@jburch1544]

Just not right without Bun E Carlos

[@ckchappell]

Poor Rick sitting there with an ottoman in the way! Looks so uncomfortable. :)

[@TABLETMYCAT]

Where is the rest of the interview?

[@NiGiff]

Jesus Christ...Dan Rather. What is he, 110?

[@zilufuzi]

1st 🎉🎉🎉

[@kiereluurs1243]

2nd!!

[@arafathi9512]

​@@kiereluurs1243😊😊😊

[@arafathi9512]

😊😊😊😊

[@arafathi9512]

​@@kiereluurs1243😊😊i

[@arafathi9512]

​@@kiereluurs1243😊😊😊😊😊😊😊

[@bazbuncher6948]

american Beatles???? get a grip

[@kiereluurs1243]

Talks. English.

[@TABLETMYCAT]

These guys are funny i LIKE the spilt beer 🍺 story on Rick's crotch. LOL 😅

[@phillipshosie9233]

Hey, I just realized, Bun E. Carlos isn't there.

[@sjs1555]

Tom should seriously consider washing his hair.

[@Paul-ot9fe]

Looks like Dean DeLeo😂