Johnny Torres remembers seeing Cheap Trick in Chicago, meeting the band, and how their music influenced his own songwriting.

Seeing Cheap Trick for the First Time

I first saw Cheap Trick back in 1983 at the Taste of Chicago music festival. My mom and sister took me to see Cheap Trick, Joan Jett, and The Kind. What a great show!

Being a drummer, I was really impressed with Bun E. Carlos. The guy was incredible. He had so much charisma behind the drums, but he was always cool and calm, playing with a cigarette in his mouth. His backbeat was fantastic, always right in the pocket. One of the best drummers I’ve ever seen perform live. That experience stayed with me. Bun E. Carlos became one of my favorite drummers, and Cheap Trick became one of my biggest musical influences.

What I Love About Their Music

Cheap Trick had that great garage band rock and roll sound. Fantastic harmonies, great vocals, incredible drums, and songs that always had a story to tell. I love the way they put their music together. Everything sounds great, from the vocals and guitars to the drums. It’s the kind of music I grew up listening to, and it’s a sound I’ve always loved. If you’ve never listened to Cheap Trick, I’d recommend two albums: Dream Police and In Color. Both are fantastic records with so many great songs. Listen to the whole albums because there are some really great deep tracks on both.

“On Top of the World” and My Trip to Europe

One of my favorite Cheap Trick songs is “On Top of the World.” That song brings back a great memory from 1995, when I was backpacking through Europe. I remember traveling from Madrid to Barcelona with my cassette player, listening to that song over and over again. Every time I hear it now, I think about that trip. It’s funny how music does that. Sometimes a song becomes one of your favorites because of where you were and what you were doing when you heard it. For me, “On Top of the World” will always remind me of backpacking through Spain.

Meeting the Band

In 1998, I had the opportunity to meet the whole band at a record-signing release party. That was a great experience, especially after being a fan for so many years. I’d been listening to their music since I was young, and getting the chance to meet the guys who influenced me as a musician was really special.

Has Cheap Trick Influenced My Music?

Oh my God, absolutely! Cheap Trick has had a huge influence on my songwriting. I’d say about 50 percent of the songs I write are influenced by their style. Their vocals, harmonies, and especially their drum sound have had a big impact on me. Those are things I’ve always loved about their music, and you can hear some of those influences in my own songs. One song that really stands out is “Verge of Our Collapse” by One Arm Giant. That’s a good example of how Cheap Trick’s sound has influenced my writing.

Why Cheap Trick Will Always Be One of My Favorites

If you grew up in the 1980s, Cheap Trick was part of the soundtrack to our lives. And if you love great 1970s and 1980s rock music, I think you’ll love them too. I’ve been listening to Cheap Trick for more than 40 years, and I still love their music. From seeing Bun E. Carlos play in Chicago to listening to their songs while traveling through Europe, they’ve given me some great memories. And as a drummer and songwriter, they’ve been one of the biggest influences on my own music. That’s why Cheap Trick is the first band I wanted to talk about in The Music That Moves Johnny Torres.