CHEAP TRICK AND JOAN JETT

Aren't you jealous? I know I would be if I wasn't...me? What?

ANYWAY. Cheap Trick and Joan Jett. Brilliance.

Joan Jett and the Blackhearts started out the night. Due to dinner issues we missed "Bad Reputation" but heard most of it on the way inside and in the bathroom. Hit after hit with some new stuff thrown in. It was a great show.

Rachel, Sara and I danced like fools in our seats much to the chagrin of the middle-aged fans around us. Most were either standing still or sitting during Joan Jett's regardless of the raw energy that flowed from the stage. When we were walking to the arena I thought that it was a recording playing because the voice was so flawless. It was power, perfection and performance.

I did sneak out during a low-key song to score some concert swag for myself. $35 later I was the proud owner of a Cheap Trick shirt and made my way back before she sang "I Love Rock'n'Roll". To our surprise, they did an

excellent rendition of Tommy James and the Shondell's "Crimson and Clover". Somehow, everyone around us managed to stay completely still during the entire thing...

One encore later, the lights came on and the drum kit went down.

Sara, Rachel and I attempted to a get a group shot with the result of this after 438048502385 attempts...

It was only after another dozen text messages that I finally secured a t-shirt order from my sisters but then the lights suddenly went out and the classic intro started. Anyone who has ever listened to "At Budokan" is very familiar with it...

They powered through hit after hit interspersed with stage banter from front man/guitarist Rick Neilsen. I snuck out again during the one song I didn’t know all the lyrics to, “Best Friend”. I made it back in time for “I Want You To Want Me”. The set list was AWESOME. S
ure, they had to “The Flame” but I was able to pass it up because it was followed by That 70s Song!

They “finished” the set but as always, enough cheering and feet stomping, they came back out.

WAIT. They didn’t. An Illinois State Representative came out? Whaaaaaa?

He declared that, from now on, April 1 is Cheap Trick Day. I am totally celebrating.

Rick Nielsen Guitar Count: 7

P.S. This guy had a sweet sweater.