Cheap Trick’s Sgt. Pepper show at Paris

Robin and Tom kicking off with the opening tune everyone knows.

I will get to the rest of the Vegas fun ASAP but first, I want to get the more timely matter covered and what became the show element of this vacation. We totally lucked out on seeing this with fantastic seats too (fourth row!). When I planned the trip 100-plus days earlier, there was nothing booked or touring through then so I figured we’d see a Cirque thing. Shortly after we arrived, I saw the ads plugging this concert. Since I own the album of the 2007 performance and I enjoyed the hell out of it last year, I convinced Somara to make this a birthday present (I treated myself, she already gave me something I’ll cover much later).

Rick jamming lead with his Beatles guitar (they're painted on it).

Personally, this was my first Cheap Trick concert. I never had any opportunity to see them when they were popular (late Seventies, early Eighties) and by the time of their comeback, I had lost interest (I think “The Flame” is their worst song ever). Through other bands they’ve influenced (Posies, Smashing Pumpkins, Dwight Yoakam) and Coverville framing them more properly as a Power Pop act instead of an Arena Rock band (how AOR radio pigeonholed them), I had a reconciliation with their back catalog. I also learned through Coverville about Cheap Trick’s fanaticism for the Beatles so the show is a no brainer to attend; it isn’t a crass attempt to make money. Even it were, there will be no more performances after September and I’ll get to another factor limiting any mercenary motivations.

The theater in Paris was a perfect venue. Not too large (maybe a 1000 people) to grant people in the cheap seats a solid view, fantastic sound and a two-story stage to accommodate the 32-piece orchestra, six-member male chorus, six-member Indian instrumental ensemble and two additional band members (Magic Cristian on keyboards and Bill Lloyd on rhythm guitar). I hope to see something else in there during Las Vegas 2011, if the opportunity presents itself.

Robin in costume number two. All are a hybrid of the Sgt. Pepper look mixed with the Dream Police.

To get the crowd warmed up, the orchestra and chorus performed “I Am The Walrus.” Then the curtain went back down to a montage of interviews with Rick, Tom and Robin about why they wanted for perform this live. Mixed in between the band’s comments were all the pop culture references Cheap Trick has received over the decades: The Simpsons (the only thing Homer listens to); Fast Times at Ridgemont High; Bob Dole stating At Budokan is his favorite album “for the record.” There was a quote from John Lennon saying he felt Sgt. Pepper could never be done live. I thought Robin’s rebuttal was awesome, “If you’re doing something you love, it’s easy.” Afterwards, Cheap Trick appeared with their thunderous take on the opening number.

Thankfully Somara remembered to bring a program because I can never remember the order of the album, which they followed. For the psychedelic “Within You Without You,” the Indian ensemble was rolled out on a flatbed cart to accompany just Tom (Robin and Rick left to change outfits) singing and playing the guitar.

Tom strumming along to "Surrender"

Then they wrapped up the remainder of Sgt. Pepper and finished with their unique touch to the ending of “A Day In The Life.” As the extended piano notes brought the song/album to its fading conclusion, Robin sang the opening lyrics to “Stop This Game,” and the orchestra took off playing about the first verse until they shifted over to “The Flame.” Meanwhile Cheap Trick was changing outfits for the third time and returned to do their own stuff! First it was “Dream Police,” followed by “I Want You To Want Me.” They did “Smile” from their latest, The Latest and returned to the back catalog; “Surrender” and “World’s Greatest Lover.”

Rick on the bridge to "Dream Police," accompanied by two Vegas dancers.

The Beatles’ material returned with the same Abbey Road medley their live album concludes with: “Golden Slumbers,” “Carry That Weight,” and “The End.” However, Cheap Trick gave us one more number for the evening, “All You Need Is Love” accompanied by the showgirls and the Indian ensemble while heart-shaped confetti rained on the audience (pieces of it could be found all over Paris afterwards, especially toward the parking garage).

The big finish, "All You Need Is Love" with the audience singing along.

Now even the casual fan will probably wonder, “Where was Bun E. Carlos?” (their drummer). Although he’s on the original recording, the explanation from a Rockford, IL blog/site says Carlos remains a member, he just doesn’t tour. Filling in was Rick’s son Daxx who did a great job.

Lastly, the icing on this musical cake was the man operating the sound board: Geoff Emerick who all Beatles fanatics should recognize. Cheap Trick introduced him personally because to them, he was a critical factor in making these performances possible in their opinion. It may explain why this will be a limited run, he’s over 60 and remains in demand for his album production/engineering expertise.

Should you make it to Las Vegas before mid-August or mid-September and you’re a fan of either or both, I highly recommend you see this. They tour with Blondie for the last half of August and return to their regular schedule after the final performance on September 18, 2010. I know some people roll their eyes about such concerts. It’s cheesey. It’s selling out to the LCD (lowest-common denominator). It shows so and so is out of ideas. Blah blah blah. I think the Vegas scheme is genius because it gave birth to the more well-known destination festivals: Coachella, Lolapalooza and ACL Fest. Vegas just has better food and service.