  Cheap Trick played their first Canadian show at Casino Rama on Wednesday night, July 20,2011, since a storm-induced Ottawa stage collapse shortly after they played over the weekend. (Peter Turchett photo)
|
RAMA, Ont. - Some people might take a little time off after a near-death experience.
Not Cheap Trick apparently.
The ‘70s rockers were downright revitalized back at their day, er, night jobs on Wednesday at Casino Rama after a freak storm caused their stage to collapse at Ottawa Bluesfest on Sunday night, narrowly missing them but trashing their equipment.
Their bus driver was also among three people injured but all have been released from hospital and the group also played a Tuesday night show in Buffalo.
“Ontario - God it’s good to be alive,” said guitarist Rick Nielsen after the band launched their hour and 40-minute show with Hello There.
“Although, I don’t know what the alternative is. ... We’re never going back to Ottawa - just kidding! We’re never going to be in a microburst, in a hurricane, in a tornado.”
Nielsen admitted the group - rounded out by lead singer-rhythm guitarist Robin Zander, who stood out in sparkling silver hat, jacket and leggings, bassist Tom Petersson and Nielsen’s son Daxx on drums, along with a touring keyboardist way off to the side of the stage - were playing with their b-gear flown in from Chicago.
That may have been so but the band showed no signs of being shellshocked despite their recent close call as about 100 fans quickly gathered at the front of the stage just moments before they began their loud and lively set.
The first highlight, I Want You To Want Me, came about 25 minutes in with Nielsen, in his trademark black baseball hat, giving his guitar a real workout while on top of a black and white checkered block whose pattern matched his dress shirt, shoes and ear pieces.
“How many people have had a top five single with an Elvis Presley song, except for Elvis? I hate to brag but it’s us,” said Nielsen, the band’s designated spokesman/hambone, before they ripped through The King’s Don’t Be Cruel and later Fats Domino’s Ain’t That A Shame.
Cheap Trick also had a surprise guest in the form of ex-Canadian Idol judge Sass Jordan who wandered on stage in a long blue dress to sing backup on the high powered rocker High Roller - her choice.
“We’ll judge her tonight,” joked Nielsen, who brought out his famous five-necked guitar for the final song of the night, Good Night. “How about that?”
She later returned to play air guitar and sang backup again alongside Nielsen on another rock song, Come On Come On, and backup while Petersson handled lead vocals on I Know What I Want.
But the band proved they could also handle it slow too on the power ballad, The Flame, which caused at least one audience member to raise a lighter - so old school, right? - in solidarity.
About the only time Nielsen, who was also a monster player on Sick Man Of Europe, Surrender (hurling records, as in vinyl, into the crowd), Gonna Raise Hell (with a great drum solo too), and Dream Police - showed any signs of stress, or perhaps just frustration, was when he commented on the lack of the response beyond the stage-crowding revellers at the front.
“You are so quiet here tonight,” he said. “I can’t believe it. Don’t worry, you’re going to win a lot of money so you can leave here.”
SET LIST:
Hello There
California Man
Didn’t Know I Had It
I Can’t Take It
These Days
I Want You to Want Me
Tonight It’s You
Don’t Be Cruel
High Roller
Borderline
The Flame
Ain’t That A Shame
Come On, Come On
I Know What I Want
Sick Man of Europe
Surrender
ENCORE:
Downed
Gonna Raise Hell
Dream Police
Good Night
