#60 - Feb 08

Welcome to the sixtieth "UNOFFICIAL" Cheap Trick newsletter, and I hope you find it of interest. I must apologise for the long gap between #59 and this newsletter, which has been due to both personal reasons and a fairly quiet end of 2007 for the band.

The following live dates are currently listed on the official CT website ( www.cheaptrick.com ) as at 24 February. Check online regularly as new shows are added occasionally. As always, dates are subject to confirmation and change so please check before travelling, and check the website for further additions:-

Mar 28 - Champaign IL; 29 - DeKalb IL; Apr 24 - Tokyo, Japan; Jun 28 - Hollywood, CA

The band return to Japan in April to commemorate the 30th Anniversary of the original Budokan shows, and will be playing a single show at the legendary Nippon Budokan. And following the success of the two shows last summer, the band also make a return visit to the Hollywood Bowl on June 28th for "Sgt Pepper at 40... revisited".

The Fall and Winter schedule was pretty light. In Oct/Nov 2007, the band played a handful of show in the US with a replacement drummer as Bun E was unavailable. Keith Brogdan, based in Nashville, was the man behind the drums, and he did a nice job of filling in. As a result, the setlist changed a little for those shows, with songs from Rockford being replaced by the likes of "Oh Caroline" and "Ain't That a Shame". The band also played a handful of shows in California in late Dec/early Jan, the middle show being New Years Eve at Agoura Hills. Unfortunately Rick had a severe attack of laryngitis during that time, leading Robin to do the in-between song chat, and Rick was unable to contribute backing vocals.

Last summers resolution in the Illinois State senate for April 1st to be declared "Cheap Trick Day" was finally passed in October. More details can be seen on front page of the official website.

Also in October, the Chicago chapter of NARAS (National Academy of Recording Arts & Sciences) honoured the band with one of their Recording Academy Honors awards for 2007. The award was presented by Steve Albini and received on behalf of the band by Rick and Bun E. Pictures can be seen on the official website.

In November 2007, Sony released another compilation CD in the UK, titled "Very Best of" with nice checkerboard cover art.

CT are currently being shown in US magazine advertisments for mens fashion house, John Varvatos' Spring/Summer 2008 campaign - see www.johnvarvatos.com for pictures, plus a short but fun video of the photoshoot.

As ever, the official website www.cheaptrick.com is worth checking regularly, and not only for details of
confirmed tour dates. Several sets of new photos can be found. In addition, the merchandise store continues to offer a wide range of Cheap Trick goodies

The mailing address for the official fanclub, Trick International is 8225 5th Avenue #803, Brooklyn, NY 11209,
USA.

I hope you've found this latest issue informative and don't forget my archive website at www.ctnewseurope.co.uk If you receive this by paper mail, I'd be grateful you could send a stamped envelope for the next issue. If you (or any other Trick fans you know) would prefer to receive this newsletter by e-mail in future, please write or e-mail me. The next issue is planned for May, together with a review of the Budokan anniversary show.