Cheap Trick, 50 years in, deliver in concert at Hard Rock Casino

is still a song you get goosebumps hearing. The whole group in general sounded like the well-oiled machine they have remained since first forming in 1973.

Tune In, Turn On

By Doug Deutsch

Idon’t want to hear any of this stuff about being “too old to rock n roll” anymore, ever – especially after the stellar concert put on by longtime rockers Cheap Trick at the Hard Rock Casino in atlantic City Saturday, May 20.

Performing in the acoustically-fine Soundwaves a rena, the band: Rick Nielsen, guitar/vocals; Tom Petersson, bass/vocals; Robin Zander, lead vocals/guitars; and Neilsen’s son, Daxx, on drums and vocals – delighted the capacity oldster crowd with the proverbial Cheap Trick songbook.

Fans enjoyed their legendary hits including: “California Man,” “Dream Police,” “I Want you to Want Me,” “Surrender,” “a in’t That a Shame,” and more as well as a couple of tracks from their most recent album, 2021’s “In another World” (their 20th).

Memorable moments abounded during the hour-plus set, which saw virtually everyone in the audience standing up from the moment the first song was played (and also led us to wonder why this was a seated concert).

Neilsen, known for his incessant playfulness, is still a master of funny faces, still wears some of the most colorful stage clothes in rock n roll, and still revels in connecting with the crowd with between-song banter. He played a vast array of colorful guitars onstage including one that was actually five guitars put together, which he played at the end of the show. It was probably heavier than it looks, no small feat for a guy in his seventies to lift and play.

Zander flawlessly performed the beautiful ballad, “The Flame,” which

There are bands who retire and get back together for what they call “money tours.” No such thing happened here. Cheap Trick have been playing their unique brand of rock with great hooks for half a century, and man oh man, that’s saying something. Their Hard Rock Casino show was one we won’t soon forget.

Doug is the owner/operator of Doug Deutsch Publicity Services, which since 1995 has been servicing nationally touring acts, and working record release campaigns for clients. Doug also hàs experience writing for the one time shore-based weekly publication, Whoot! He also was a team member with Chip Braymes Advertising. Doug loves bicycling and aspires to bring the Blues to Atlantic City. He can be reached at ShoreLocalDoug@gmail. com and www.facebook.com/ dougdeutschpublicity.