Come On, Come On (Live 1978)

The Zoo Crew, those groovy hippie DJs at THE ZOO radio station, are spinning the high-energy track "Come On, Come On (Live 1978)" by Cheap Trick from their iconic album Cheap Trick at Budokan for all the Zoo Freaks out there. This song, captured live at the Nippon Budokan in Tokyo, is a powerhouse of raw rock energy, driven by Rick Nielsen’s ripping guitar riffs and Bun E. Carlos’ relentless drum fills. According to a review on 2loud2oldmusic.com, the track follows the album’s opener "Hello There" with a slightly laid-back but still electrifying vibe, keeping the crowd’s adrenaline pumping. The live recording, though marketed as from Budokan, was rumored to have been sourced from a show in Osaka due to technical issues with the Tokyo recordings, adding a quirky layer to its legend. This tidbit, mentioned in a blog post, highlights the band’s ability to turn a potential setback into a classic.

Another piece of trivia comes from the band’s insane reception in Japan, often dubbed ‘Trickmania,’ which rivaled Beatlemania. As noted in an excerpt from the book American Standard shared on Tinnitist.com, when Cheap Trick landed in Japan in April 1978, they were mobbed by fans at the airport, with girls chasing their car and snapping photos from speeding taxis. This frenzy fueled the electric atmosphere of the Budokan shows, where "Come On, Come On" was performed with such intensity that the audience’s screams nearly drowned out the band. Rick Nielsen himself remarked in a 1979 interview, quoted on Loudersound.com, that the crowd’s noise was “almost frightening,” a testament to the song’s ability to whip fans into a frenzy. The track’s live version, with its punk-rock edge, became a fan favorite, as seen in a YouTube video from 2018 showcasing its raw power.

Cheap Trick got their start in Rockford, Illinois, in the mid-1970s, emerging from the Midwest bar and club circuit. The band, formed by guitarist Rick Nielsen, vocalist Robin Zander, bassist Tom Petersson, and drummer Bun E. Carlos, honed their unique blend of power pop and hard rock through relentless gigging. As detailed on their official website, Nielsen’s quirky songwriting and flamboyant stage presence, paired with Zander’s soaring vocals, gave them a distinctive edge. Their early years were marked by playing dives like the Brat Stop, as mentioned in a PopMatters review, where they built a loyal following. Their self-titled debut album in 1977 caught the attention of critics and fans in Japan, setting the stage for their breakthrough with At Budokan. The band’s visual contrast—Zander and Petersson’s heartthrob looks versus Nielsen and Carlos’ nerdy charm—became a marketing hook, as noted in a blog post, helping them stand out in the crowded rock scene.

Today, Cheap Trick remains active, with their official website at cheaptrick.com offering tour dates, merch, and discography details. You can follow them on Facebook, Instagram, and X for updates on shows and new releases. Fans, or Zoo Freaks looking to connect, can join communities like the Cheap Trick Fans Facebook group, where enthusiasts share memories and rare finds. For deeper dives, fan sites like cheaptrick.com (also the official site) and posts on Reddit’s ClassicRock community keep the spirit of ‘Trickmania’ alive, celebrating songs like "Come On, Come On" that still rock the airwaves at THE ZOO.