The Flame

Zoo Freaks, get ready to vibe with some righteous trivia about "The Flame", the power ballad by Cheap Trick from their 1988 album Lap of Luxury. This tune, spun by your favorite hippie DJs at THE ZOO, hit number one on the Billboard Hot 100 in July 1988, marking the band’s only chart-topping single. Written by British songwriters Bob Mitchell and Nick Graham, "The Flame" was originally penned for singer Elkie Brooks, who passed on it. The demo, with Graham on vocals, landed with Epic Records’ vice president Don Grierson, who saw its potential for Cheap Trick. The band, however, wasn’t initially stoked—guitarist Rick Nielsen famously yanked the cassette from a player and crushed it under his boot, thinking it didn’t fit their vibe. Producer Richie Zito had to work them one by one, starting with vocalist Robin Zander, to get it recorded. Despite their doubts, the song’s success pulled Cheap Trick out of a commercial slump, with Nielsen later admitting in 2021 that it was “probably more good than bad.”

Another cool tidbit comes from drummer Bun E. Carlos, who shared in a 2023 Songfacts interview that Epic gave Cheap Trick first pick between "The Flame" and another track, "Look Away," which they rejected. That other song went to Chicago and also hit number one, but Carlos noted the band felt "The Flame" was the better fit. The song’s lush sound, with Zander’s emotional vocals and Nielsen’s haunting mandocello, gave it a unique edge, though some critics, like Steve Huey from AllMusic, pointed out its lyrics echoed the obsessive vibe of The Police’s "Every Breath You Take." The music video, directed by Jim Yukich, got heavy MTV play but caught flak in 2020 from PopMatters critic Dennis Shin for making the band look like a generic hair band, suppressing their quirky identity. Fans on X have celebrated its legacy, with posts like one from @cheaptrick in June 2023 noting its climb to number five on the Hot 100 before hitting the top spot.

Now, let’s rewind to how Cheap Trick got rolling. Formed in 1973 in Rockford, Illinois, the band—Robin Zander (vocals, rhythm guitar), Rick Nielsen (lead guitar), Tom Petersson (bass), and Bun E. Carlos (drums)—blended ‘60s pop, ‘70s hard rock, and a punk edge that set the stage for power pop. Their early days were gritty, playing local bars and clubs in the Midwest, honing a sound influenced by The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, and The Who. Their 1977 self-titled debut, produced by Jack Douglas, didn’t chart but earned critical buzz for its raw energy. Success came in Japan with their second album, In Color, and exploded with the 1978 live album Cheap Trick at Budokan, which went triple-platinum in the U.S. thanks to the hit "I Want You to Want Me." Their 1979 album Dream Police hit number six on the Billboard 200, cementing their status. Despite ‘80s struggles, the comeback with "The Flame" showed their staying power, influencing bands like Nirvana and Green Day.

Stay connected with Cheap Trick through their official website, where you can find tour dates, merch, and discography details. Follow them on Facebook for updates and fan interactions, check out their Instagram for behind-the-scenes shots, and catch their latest quips on X. Zoo Freaks can also join the Cheap Trick Fan Club on Facebook for community vibes and discussions. For more fan-driven content, peep Cheap Trick’s official fan club page or dive into fan sites like Rate Your Music for discography deep dives. Keep those dials locked on THE ZOO, and let "The Flame" keep burning bright!