How Cheap Trick Became Icons In Japan With ‘At Budokan’ Before Fame in the US

Cheap Trick was one of the hardest-working bands of the 1970s. They were innovators of power pop and an opening act for KISS on the Love Gun Tour in the summer of 1977. Ahead of the tour, Cheap Trick’s debut was a bold statement. Released on February 3, 1977, their self-titled debut brought a sound unlike any other group. Not only did they have a visual gimmick unlike any other, but they blended many elements of rock bands of the 60s and 70s into one. With elements of The Beatles, the Who, and Alice Cooper blended with early punk rock, their debut captured the band’s raw energy but failed to chart. This didn’t stop Cheap Trick as they were on the verge of a second release, wasting no time. In September 1977, they released “In Color,” their second album.

The difference between these two 1977 albums lies in the production. Jack Douglas, who had worked with Alice Cooper, Aerosmith, and John Lennon, handled the band’s debut album. He was unavailable for the follow-up, so Tom Werman handled production. In Color didn’t quite capture the band’s true sound, coming off as too polished and soft. Still, the album was a defining moment within power pop and was their first album to chart. It peaked at No. 149 on the Billboard 200. The album’s lead single, “I Want You To Want Me,” had potential but didn’t initially chart well.

Cheap Trick Releases ‘Heaven Tonight’ Days Before Arriving In Japan

Cheap Trick’s third release, Heaven Tonight, blended the raw sound of their debut album with the power-pop finish of their follow-up. It was released on April 24, 1978. The band arrived in Japan, just after the release, for a set of performances. These performances took place between April 28 and April 30, 1978. Ahead of their performance of “Surrender,” lead singer Robin Zander can be heard on the album stating, “This is the first song on our new album, which just came out this week.” In a statement through Louder Sound, drummer Bun E. Carlos explained, “In Japan, CBS/Sony was splitting into two companies. They decided that every time a band on Epic or Columbia came over, they’d record their show and put out a series of Live at Budokan albums. Bob Dylan and Cheap Trick were the first albums.”

The band arrived in Japan to screaming fans, as they were heavily promoted in the area. Over three days, the band recorded concerts in Budokan and Osaka. With songs from all of their first three releases, the Japanese fans were electric for Cheap Trick. They instantly became icons in the country. Through Louder Sound, Cheap Trick guitarist Rick Nielsen said, “We road coach on the way there and first class on the way back.” The subsequent live album, Cheap Trick At Budokan, was a massive success, released in Japan in October 1978. It was released in the US in February 1979.

Success in The US and Japan

Cheap Trick At Budokan hit No. 4 on the Billboard 200 in 1979. The live re-recording of “I Want You To Want Me” was the lead single and charted much better than before. It peaked at No. 3 on the US Cash Box Top 100 and No. 7 on the Billboard Hot 100. It hit No. 1 in Japan, Belgium, and the Netherlands, and No. 2 in Canada. The album’s second single, a cover of Fats Domino’s “Ain’t That A Shame,” peaked at No. 35 on the Hot 100. Their most recent release, Heaven Tonight, received more attention due to their newfound popularity. Cheap Trick had finally achieved popularity in their home country, though they have been icons in Japan ever since.

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