Don’t Be Cruel

Zoo Freaks, get ready for some wild trivia about Cheap Trick's cover of "Don't Be Cruel" from their 1988 album Lap of Luxury! This rockin' rendition of Elvis Presley's classic, originally written by Otis Blackwell in 1956, hit No. 4 on the Billboard Hot 100, marking a major comeback for the band. Unlike their usual power pop originals, this cover was a strategic move by Epic Records, who pushed Cheap Trick to work with outside songwriters and producers to boost their commercial appeal. The band, initially resistant to external influence, embraced the challenge, and the result was a slick, radio-friendly track that still carried their signature energy. Fun fact: in the music video, drummer Bun E. Carlos steals the show, appearing at the end in an Elvis-inspired white jumpsuit, a nod to the King himself!

Another juicy tidbit comes from the recording process. Cheap Trick's guitarist Rick Nielsen wasn't thrilled about the heavy reliance on outside writers for Lap of Luxury. In a Wikipedia-documented interview, he called the album "tough to make," admitting it was a learning experience to collaborate with professionals like producer Richie Zito. Despite the tension, "Don't Be Cruel" became one of the album's standout tracks, alongside the No. 1 hit "The Flame." Fans on Cheap Trick's Facebook have shared nostalgic stories about the song, with one recalling a 1988 concert at the Palace in Detroit where the band’s performance of it had the crowd roaring. The song’s success also sparked debates among hardcore fans, some of whom felt the cover strayed from the band’s raw, quirky roots, as noted on fan sites like StarlingDB.

Now, let’s rewind to how Cheap Trick got their start. Hailing from Rockford, Illinois, the band formed in 1973, blending '60s pop, '70s hard rock, and a pinch of punk attitude. The classic lineup—Robin Zander (vocals), Rick Nielsen (guitar), Tom Petersson (bass), and Bun E. Carlos (drums)—evolved from earlier projects. Nielsen and Petersson played together in the late '60s in a band called Fuse, which released an unsuccessful album in 1969. After a stint in Philadelphia as Sick Man of Europe, they returned to Rockford, recruited Zander and Carlos, and became Cheap Trick. Their name came from a quip by Petersson at a concert, joking that another band was using "every cheap trick in the book," a story confirmed by fans on Songfacts. Signed to Epic Records in 1976, their 1977 debut album didn’t chart but won critical praise, setting the stage for their breakthrough in Japan with 1978’s At Budokan.

Cheap Trick has since sold over 20 million albums and earned a 2016 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction. Their enduring appeal lies in their relentless touring—over 5,000 shows—and a cult following that spans Nirvana to Green Day. You can keep up with the band on their official website, Facebook, Instagram, and X. Zoo Freaks looking to connect with other fans should check out the Cheap Trick Fan Club on Facebook or browse fan-driven content on Pencil Storm, where devotees like Jeremy Porter share epic tales of attending dozens of their concerts. Spin those records and keep the Cheap Trick vibe alive!