Timeline

The history of Cheap Trick’s current lineup began in 1974 and spans four decades. The complete history of the band would fill a very, very thick book. And, as time goes by, we’ll add to the content on this page, so please come back and see us again. And, be sure to share the site with your friends and family.



Cheap Trick was founded in 1973 and featured Xeno Hogan on lead vocals.

After completing his contract obligation at Wisconsin Dells, Robin is free to join the band and the soon-to-be-famous lineup is complete.

April 11, 1975 — Cheap Trick performs a wildly popular Mother's Day concert at an over-run Sinnissippi Bandshell at Sinnissippi Park.

Cheap Trick puts many tens of thousands of miles on its vehicles and plays hundreds of gigs in an around the Midwest.

Cheap Trick opens for Rush at the Rockford Armory.

February 1977 — Cheap Trick releases debut album.

August 1977 — Cheap Trick releases In Color

Cheap Trick releases Heaven Tonight

February 1979 — Cheap Trick Live at Budokan is released in the United States.

June 1979 — Cheap Trick appears on the cover of Rolling Stone Magazine.

September 1979 — Cheap Trick releases Dream Police

August 1980 — Cheap Trick releases All Shook Up, produced by Sir George Martin.

August 1980 — Rick and Bun E. record, I'm Losing You, with John Lennon in NYC.

Cheap Trick have two tracks featured on the Heavy Metal movie soundtrack.

January 17, 1981 — Cheap Trick performs Baby Loves to Rock and Can't Stop it But I'm Gonna Try on Saturday Night Live.

Cheap Trick releases One on One produced by Roy Thomas Baker.

Cheap Trick releases Next Position Please produced by Roy Todd Rundgren.

Cheap Trick is featured on the 1st Rock and Roll Airborne Division USO Tour.

Cheap Trick releases Standing on the Edge.

Mighty Wings by Cheap Tricks is featured on the Top Gun soundtrack.

Cheap Trick releases The Doctor.

Cheap Trick releases Lap of Luxury.

Cheap Trick releases Busted.

Cheap Trick releases Budokan II.

Cheap Trick releases Woke up with a Monster.

Cheap Trick record Cold Turkey to be released on the Lennon trubute album Working Class Hero.

Cheap Trick releases self-titled album Cheap Trick.

Budokan: The Complete Concert is released.

Cheap Trick performs a series of dates featuring "3 Night Stands" of the first three albums. Performaing one album per night at the same venue.

Cheap Trick releases live album Music for Hangovers.

Cheap Trick releases Special One.

Cheap Trick plays at the Royal Albert Hall.

Cheap Trick does a four month tour with their friends Aerosmith.

Cheap Trick releases Rockford.

Cheap Trick appears and performs on the Conan O'Brien Show from the Chicago Theatre.

Cheap Trick releases appears and performs on the Conan O'Brien Show from the Chicago Theatre.

Cheap Trick performs back-to-back sold out shows at Hollywood Bowl of its Sargeant Peppers Lonely Hearts Club Show, musically directed by Sir George Martin.

Cheap Trick performs a 30th anniversary show at the Budokan.

April Fools Day is named "Cheap Trick Day in Illinois." Senator Dave Syverson presented the band with the proclamation at a concert in Champaign, Illinois.

Cheap Trick does critically acclaimed Sgt. Pepper's live shows from the Hilton in Las Vegas.

Cheap Trick plays the Ryman in Nashville for the very first time.

Cheap Trick settles into Las Vegas for a total of four weeks of Sgt. Pepper's shows at the Paris Casino.

Cheap Trick survives Ottawa Blues Fest stage crash. A lot of their equipment does not.

Cheap Trick appears and performs Surrender on the Tonight Show with Jay Leno.

Cheap Trick performs original Budokan setlist at NYC John Varvatos store (Old CBGB) and El Ray Theatre in L.A. for the 35th anniversary of the original performances.

Cheap Trick (Finally!) nominated for and voted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.

Cheap Trick releases its new album, Bang Zoom Crazy...Hello in Chicago on Cheap Trick Day in Illinois.