CHEAP TRICK INVADES VEGAS!
Although I enjoyed watching the Grammy’s, I will never buy any of the music or go to any of the shows of any of the artists that performed or were honored. But when Cheap Trick comes to town, I am there! And I had been waiting for my fave band Cheap Trick to return. And when I heard they were coming to town I couldn’t wait! And on February 8th at the Westgate I got my wish!
I grabbed my ticket and pass and anxiously waited in the aisle at the front of the “Elvis Stage” for my heroes. As I was standing there a grumpy old man told me to get out of his way. I told him I will be moving around for the first 3 songs only but he was upset and kept complaining. I didn’t want to move from that spot because that was where my pal Rick Nielsen would be standing. So I stood my ground. 
As soon as Rick came out he came right to the edge of the stage and kept pointing directly at me. That stopped old grumpy from complaining! I was lucky enough to see Rick several times last year before and after I honored him at my Vegas Rocks! Magazine Music Awards.
Then it was time to get close up for some good photos of the legendary Robin Zander. Robin was so classy as always as he strolled out in his all-white suit. To me Robin is one of THE greatest male singers in rock and roll of all time. He recognized me right away and came to the edge of the stage and gave me a “naughty naughty” sign with his fingers. Was I naughty? I guess Robin would know! He also came up to me later in the show when I had my cell phone filming and pointed right to me in the phone and sang the lyrics of “Surrender” to me: “But mommy isn’t one of those I’ve known her all these years.”
Shortly after that Rick hurled out his first fist of his guitar picks into the first few rows which included where I was standing. Knowing I am only in the front row the first few songs I did the obvious thing and grabbed as many as I could holding my camera in my other hand – Score!
It was great to see Tom Peterson with his beautiful smiling face plucking his Gretsch bass guitar in perfect unison with the rest of the legendary players. 
Speaking of which Daxx Nielsen was amazing as always still keeping his the powerful beat with the music since 2010. Daxx is not only extremely talented but he is a beautiful person inside and out and one of the sweetest guys I have ever met! But what can I say? Rick Nielsen knows how to raise his kids right!
And keeping it all in the family over by Tom Peterson was the talented Robin Taylor Zander, Robin’s son on back-up vocals and Rhythm guitar. This was my first time seeing ”Taylor” even though he has been performing with the band for seven years. And keeping with the family tradition he has the pipes! He sang lead on “Downed” with perfection. What a jewel! It is clear that extreme talent runs in the Zander and Nielsen family bloodlines!
Rick was as funny as always with his humor: “This is a song I wrote for my wife.” As everyone was waiting for a tender ballad the band ripped into “He’s a Whore.” I never understood with the lyrics about a girl it wasn’t title “SHE’s a Whore”…..? Rick’s zingers continued: “We were here in Vegas not too long ago and we recorded a live album. Here’s a song that wasn’t on that album…”
As far as I know the entire showroom was completely sold out. And with the huge crowd I decided to head to the merch booth early to grab a shirt. After all these years of their shows and buying all those shirts… where did they go? Oh, well one more won’t hurt! Thanks Anna!
The first time I ever saw Cheap Trick in concert was in 1980 in Yokahama, Japan. I don’t really know how many countless times over the past 45 years I have seen them but they never disappoint! And as long as they don’t stop, neither will I!
Sally Steele
Photos: Sally Steele
Special thanks to Ken Weinstein and Carla Dragotti for credentialing me for this show!
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