Tom Petersson Cheap Trick Interview. 1998

© 1998 Creative Worx Motion Media all rights reserved
Producers Jack Edward Sawyers - Dave Weiderman

[@glengamble526]

It's nice to see a rock star not perpetuating the myth of 'success' in the music industry and being honest. What a guy!

[@MaskedRiderChris]

I always liked his attitude about his famous 12-string bass monster; in the 90s, when he did an interview for Bass Player, they asked him, "How do you make it fit into the music?" His reply was "It's not *supposed* to fit in!" Gotta love that. It's because of him that I love the sound of a 12!

[@geo386]

I saw them at a club in Delaware after winning a radio contest. I actually met the band before meet and greets were a thing. It was the original lineup. They were awesome and very down to earth. They graciously signed a Budokan photo I have. They are still my favorite band to date. It's a great feeling to meet your idols in person and have photos with them. I looked like a roadie in a leather jacket and ripped jeans.

[@eartraffic]

Those first 3 albums were incredible records!! Sad the world didn't catch on with those initial records though. CT still sits at the top of my personal list of fav bands ever. This is a sad but true story about success and the lack of it even when it's there. RnR is a hard life for sure.

[@robinbrl]

Love you Tom. That big smile at the beginning. Lord have mercy. Be still my heart. LOL. You are still totally hot and talented. We all thank you for the music and the contribution of you and your family to autism awareness.

[@jamesfarrell8339]

While I am impressed by Tom's humility especially how important the band was when I was younger and all my friends. I saw them live in a small venue and I thought that they were awesome and then live at Budakon came out and they head lined the LA Columsael where the Rams played . Every where you went in the country at the time Cheap Trick was dominating the air waves with their music. So I was shocked to hear him say that if didn't sell as many records as all of those lesser bands was sad in a way because no band worked harder than Cheap Trick at they craft. I don't know why they don't get the respect they deserve and inducted into the rock and roll hall of fame. It is like my favorite band of all time which is YES doesn't receive the respect they deserve considering how many new grounds they have covered in their long career! The last time that I saw Cheap Trick was at a bar in Connecticut located just off the campus of Yale university. Just like old times they were incredible live.To the Rock and Roll hall of fame let's get these guys the love that they truly earned. Hello to one of my all time favorite bands in music history wishing you continued success in the new year! Greetings from Atlantic City New Jersey U S A!

[@BluesLicks101]

Tom has always been the coolest guy in the group .

[@karb58benefits]

Great band, great energy, sound, lyrics, stage presence. the whole package. happy they made it to rock HOF

[@Dietpepsivanilla]

One of the best, yet most underrated bands of all fuckin' time. And Tom is one of the better, but yet underrated bassists too.

[@Creativeworxmotionmedia]

indeed!!

[@rationalmuscle]

Dietpepsivanilla Yep! And such modesty. The dude stopped aging in his 40s apparently.

[@Rhienmetall]

I agree totally. My friend who is in a death metal band that listens to all types of music, I asked if he liked Cheap Trick. "Ahh their alright." I love them the sound everything I like Cheap Trick I just think they're great

[@2slodownneed]

He's still HOT and so is their music!

[@robinbrl]

For real Kelly. Totally hot and talented.

[@lamper2]

kelly-is a gold digger

[@Littleathquakes]

he’s the best looking one after all this time. robin went downhill.

[@khaosqueen7900]

This man is soooo honest.Refreshing to hear.

[@MacLex13]

Great bassist and seemingly great guy. Very down to Earth.

[@Brewzerr]

Yeah, it really puts things into perspective when you find out that bands like Foreigner and Boston have sold so many more records than Cheap Trick, but here's the big difference... how many young kids today are still getting into Foreigner or Boston? My guess is not many, if any. However, younger generations still love Cheap Trick. My teenage son and his friends all love them. Those songs are timeless... Surrender, Dream Police, Hello There, I Want You To Want Me, Oh Candy, Stop This Game... on and on and on. Cheap Trick may not have sold as many records as those other bands, but they're leaving a much bigger legacy, and they've influenced a lot more newer bands. Look at all the bands who have covered CT songs over the years. Now, how often do you hear new bands cover Boston or Foreigner? Cheap Trick may be the world's biggest "cult band", but their cult is massive and enduring... and only growing larger with each new generation of fans.

[@St4r_Z0mb13]

I was getting into Foreigner and Boston...

[@cardtrix1970]

Great interview. Mr. Petersson seems very *real* & *humble*; In my opinion, you guys..."did good"! REAL GOOD!!!

[@wayneyeager424]

Bottom line Tom, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame , You made it !

[@glitter_rose8887]

Aww Tom I love you sooo much!! You and the whole band really did amazing-and you still do-and I think you guys really did make it! Your music is absolutely everything to me, and no matter how many albums you guys sold, you still rock harder than any other band/musical artist! Also I love your smile, Tom, you are sooo adorable! Keep rockin! ❤️😎

[@2slodownneed]

Never did that well??? Where has he been for the last 40 years. Cheap Trick still rocks!!!

[@blindterrytucci2752]

They're my favorite band in the f'n world, and the best American rock band of all time, but successful is something Cheap Trick have never really been from a rock star/public eye perspective. They were huge from 1978-1980 and then All Shook Up (favorite album) started the decline. They went from playing stadiums to small clubs in about 3 years...and didn't get big again until "The Flame" but after that have struggled to even get into the Top 100 for singles or albums. It's the most inexplicable bullshit in music history. A band putting out the quality of music they always have not being one of the biggest bands of all time is insane and makes ZERO sense. The fact that they just got nominated for the RnRHoF is a fucking joke.

[@blindterrytucci2752]

...and I'm waaaay angrier about it than my post makes it sound. It's a hot button topic for every serious, die hard fan. It's infuriating, actually. Haha.

[@robinbrl]

I know right Kelly? Is he serious? Never made it? Are the Spice Girls in the Rock Hall of Fame? They have more fans than Tom probably realizes.

[@hectorheath]

If your making a comfortable living then in my opinion you've made it.

[@IONJC]

A real true band!

[@denisecontreras1635]

love the music of cheap trick always!!!

[@Jeffsafe]

Maybe the first four albums "didn't sell anything" but they were my favorites. My first rock convert was with Cheap Trick about 7 months after their debut album. I saw them open for Kiss and thought WOW now that's real Rock n Roll. Kiss had the theatrics that night but CT's music blew them away.

[@jettramel]

I bought them, they are a core to my background, Heaven Tonight & In Color, damn, those are must have's for me, & Live Budokan for me one of the best live albums of that era, I'll grab it before Frampton Comes Alive. Yes big influence on me.

[@MaskedRiderChris]

My dad had the pleasure of touring with Cheap Trick back around the Budokan era, and he said they were the coolest, most down to earth guys ever. He also said that Cheap Trick's tour manager was an asshole who hated his band and never let them soundcheck no matter how much Rick Nielsen yelled at him to let them do so! Needless to say, that guy was canned after that tour.

[@bartonpercival3216]

They have for the last 44 years remained my favorite band. I first saw them right after they released In Color and I first saw them live on their West Coast swing of opening for KISS (the night Elvis Presley passed away) August 16th 1977 in San Francisco. Have gone on to see them live over 25 times since that first show. Enjoyed their shows at smaller venues in the 90's. Finally made it into the RRHOF in 2016 👍

[@Kingofcasamere]

Very intelligent, very well spoken, very realistic, very humble. Kudos to you sir

[@AlmostReady504]

I know this was a while back and to this day he is likely humble. Cheap Trick has endured and most definitely HAS "made it". Especially compared to those other bands Tom casually mentioned. Cheap Trick: the world's house band. They are beloved!!

[@Shell6424]

Tom is cool with a great smile and genuine personality.

[@saraenneking4652]

Good to see you!!!😀😀

[@deeboy5588]

Always liked CT. We still need The Bun!!!

[@TheLarryburns84]

I think he gave it up because of health issues? but I'd love to see him come back, even if it's just to play an encore or the Hello There/Come On Come On intro

[@greensombrero3641]

I'm a fan of cheap trick. not the pop songs, the other ones.

[@powlperc]

Bun E was a locomotive, the driving force.

[@acrovader]

The sole 'thumbs down' is from Dennis DeYoung.

[@mr.logicpants2835]

Cheap trick is soooooooooo much more talented than the bands that Tom mentioned, like the spice girls and hootie and the blow fish. AND they inspired so many bands LIKE Guns and roses.

[@olddogcitypound5859]

my homies.....✌

[@anthonyellerbrock932]

He just made the case for Foriegner to be the HOF too!

[@bonscott602]

He's talking from a sales perspective. The guy's a realist. Creatively you can say anything you want. Hell, Mozart was a genius but he never sold a record. Who gives a shit. Petersson's an artist too. You do what you enjoy and maybe you make some money doing it. Popularity isn't necessarily genius in every way. It's a matter of choice and what you're after.

[@Mytube777]

I used to think Robin was the great looker, but he got nothin on Tom. Tom has got to be the best looking classic rock n roller ever, like even surpassing Jim Morrison. It's too bad he has to play with Rick. Pete Comita who was on bass for ten minutes was fricking good looking too.

[@blindterrytucci2752]

They've gone back and forth. Some time periods it's Tom and other times it's Robin. The whole band was at their least unattractive in the late 90s when Rick had most of his his face covered up. It was like two seperate dudes. I'm straight, by the way...just completely obsessed with the band and their music.

[@MrDeterioration]

no one surpasses Morrison at his peak. Peterson definitely aged well, though.

[@peteraustinnoto142]

The dream police

[@spartyontop]

Are they sitting in a hole?

[@vegito3642]

hi tom p how are u iam fine give am ok I love u too u having good time u are my band love peace Jennifer and Richard savage

[@jeffrey322]

Wow! He looks like Ellen Degeneres now. Great band still!

[@MichaelGiordano777]

Yeah with a slight Lisp.