On the surface, they may look like a classic rock band hearts and cheap tricksThe two performers, who will perform at Greenville’s Bon Secours Wellness Arena on April 20 as part of Heart’s “Royal Flush” tour, don’t have much in common other than their volume. Cheap Her Trick specializes in sharp power pop that alternates with heavy riffs and sinister, primitive lyrics, while Hart mixes his themes with majestic hard rock and occasionally mystical folk. I am.
In other words, “I Want You to Want Me” and “Dreamboat Annie” don’t sound like they share exactly the same musical space.
But in reality, both of these bands had similar career paths and are arguably the survivors of rock and roll, two of the few bands from that era still surviving.
Both groups rose to fame in the late 1970s. Ann Wilson of the Hearts, arguably one of the greatest vocalists in rock history, and joined by her singer/guitarist sister Nancy, suddenly became platinum superstars with her 1975 album Dreamboat Annie, and became a classic. It introduced the hardware series to the world. Rock hits like “Magic Man,” “Barracuda,” and “Crazy on You.”
It took a while for “Cheap Trick” to hit paydirt, but guitarist Rick Nielsen’s ear for hooks and singer Robin Zander’s natural charisma led to “Live at Budokan.” It finally caught fire thanks to albums like .,” ‘ sold 5 million copies, and ‘Dream Police’ sold 3 million copies. Along the way, they created a bona fide classic rock anthem, “I Want You to Want Me.”
In the early 1980s, both bands suffered as tastes changed and their respective styles became outdated, but an unexpected career revival awaited them.
Heart soared to the top of the charts in 1985 with their self-titled album, which ultimately eclipsed their success in the ’70s. With hits like “What About Love,” “These Dreams,” and “Never,” the “Heart” album reached sales of 5 million copies, and its follow-up in 1987, “Bad Animals,” was also named “Who Will You Run To.” “Alone” soared to the top of the charts, and the band was voted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2013.
Cheap Trick also rose again with the unlikely power ballad smash “The Flame,” propelling their album “Rap of Luxury” to platinum status and surpassing Elvis Presley’s “Don’t.” A cover of “Be Cruel” also became a hit. Cheap Trick followed Heart into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2016.
So, if you’re going to a concert, listen to the hard rock hits of these two classic bands and learn about how they rose from the ashes to survive and thrive over the decades. Think about it for a moment.
i wanna go?
Contents: Heart’s “Royal Flush Tour” with special guest Cheap Trick
Date: Saturday, April 20th
Location: Bon Secours Wellness Arena, Greenville
Tickets and information: bonsecoursarena.com
