Day Tripper

Zoo Freaks, get ready to groove with the Zoo Crew as they spin "Day Tripper" by Cheap Trick from the 1980 EP Found All The Parts. This track isn’t your standard Cheap Trick fare—it’s a faux live cover of The Beatles’ classic, recorded with producer Jack Douglas in early 1980. According to sources, the band laid down nine tracks with Douglas, but this rendition of "Day Tripper" stands out for its raw energy, capturing the band’s knack for blending Beatles-esque melodies with their hard-edged rock vibe. Fans might find it cool to know that Cheap Trick performed this song live at the 1979 Reading Festival in England, where they were joined onstage by Dave Edmunds and Mick Ralphs for a rousing encore, as noted in a 2021 post on Cheap Trick’s X account. The EP itself was a bit of a hidden gem, initially sparking rumors it was rejected by Epic Records, though that’s been debunked. Instead, it was a deliberate release to showcase the band’s live prowess and studio creativity.

Another tidbit about "Day Tripper" ties to its obscurity. Unlike Cheap Trick’s chart-toppers like "Surrender" or "I Want You to Want Me," this cover wasn’t a radio smash but has a cult following among die-hard fans. The Found All The Parts EP also included a live version of "Can’t Hold On" from their 1978 Budokan concerts, plus two studio tracks, "Such A Good Girl" and "Take Me I’m Yours," recorded in 1976-77 but polished up for the 1980 release. The faux live vibe of "Day Tripper" was a nod to their explosive live shows, especially in Japan, where they were dubbed the "American Beatles" by fans, as mentioned on Simple Wikipedia. For Zoo Freaks digging deeper, check out fan discussions on the Cheap Trick Facebook page, where devotees share stories about rare tracks like this one.

Now, let’s rewind to how Cheap Trick got their start. Hailing from Rockford, Illinois, the band formed in 1973, but their roots go back to the late 1960s. Guitarist Rick Nielsen and bassist Tom Petersson initially played in a group called Fuse, formed in 1967, with drummer Bun E. Carlos joining later. After releasing a debut album as Fuse in 1969, they briefly relocated to Philadelphia as Sick Man of Europe before returning to Rockford. The game-changer came in 1972 when vocalist Robin Zander joined, and the band rebranded as Cheap Trick, a name inspired by a quip from Petersson at a concert (possibly Slade’s) where he remarked the band used “every cheap trick in the book,” as shared in a Songfacts interview. Their early days were spent grinding on the Midwest club circuit, playing original songs with a darker, heavier edge that set them apart from Top 40 cover bands, as recalled by Zander and Petersson in a 2016 Chicago Reader oral history.

Cheap Trick’s big break came with their 1977 self-titled debut on Epic Records, produced by Jack Douglas. While it didn’t chart highly in the U.S., it caught fire in Japan, where their second album, In Color, turned them into rock gods, sparking “Trickmania” with mobbed tours in 1978. By 1979, their live album Cheap Trick at Budokan went triple platinum in the U.S., propelled by the hit "I Want You to Want Me." This mix of Beatles-inspired pop, punk energy, and hard rock grit made them power pop pioneers, as noted on AllMusic. Their quirky stage presence—Zander and Petersson as rock heartthrobs, Nielsen in bowties and ballcaps, and Carlos looking like a chain-smoking manager—only added to their charm, as described in a 2024 K104.7 article.

For Zoo Freaks wanting to connect with the band, visit Cheap Trick’s official website for tour dates and merch like the limited-edition Complete Epic Albums Collection vinyl set. Follow them on Facebook (over 1 million likes), Instagram for behind-the-scenes shots, and X for history tidbits. Fans can also join the Cheap Trick Fan Club on Facebook, a lively group for sharing concert stories and rare finds. Another fan hub is Cheap Trick Online, a fan-run site with discographies and news. So, keep those dials locked on THE ZOO, and let "Day Tripper" take you on a wild ride with Cheap Trick’s rock ‘n’ roll legacy!