by Le Anne Lindsay (Tinsel & Tine)
PFS and 102.9 WMGK continued their Rockin’ Reels at the Piazza series last night with Live at Budokan. For anyone unfamiliar, the band Cheap Trick recorded this footage at their 1978 concert in Japan; the release of which really put the band on the map. The Live at Budokan album is number 430 on the Rolling Stone magazine’s list of the “500 Greatest Albums of All Time”.
Because Cheap Trick is currently on tour to promote their newest release “The Latest” – available on CD, vinyl and 8-track, WMGK was able to get Rick Nielsen & Tom Petersson to come for a signing. Thus the reason PFS changed the scheduled screening of Shine a Light to Live at Budokan.
As I’ve stated before, I’m careful making commentary on screenings that require a background or knowledge of a subject to which I’m unfamliar. Although “I Want You To Want Me” is one of my favorite party songs, I didn’t know until last night who sang it (shameful, I know) but not a problem, it gave me the opportunity to chat up the attendees!
This couple turned out to be with other sponsors Mitsubishi Philadelphia, they were actually getting albums signed for others back at the office. The dog is named Loki and yes, she really is pink, poor thing has mange. She had just rescued it from the shelter and is hoping to find her a good home. I think that’s sweet and commendable, but as a germophobe, I didn’t care for the fact that Loki kept trying to stick her mangy head under my skirt!
This adorable father/daughter share musical tastes, he took her to a Cheap Trick concert last summer and she got hooked! She’s also big into Def Leppard and Poison.
Then I came upon this Cheap Trick enthusiast who had the following to say about the Live at Budokan concert and Cheap Trick in general:
“I Want You To Want Me” sounds completely different on the studio version, almost has a country sound. The energy of the fans is a big part of this live performance at Budokan; the release of the live album really put everything into a whole different dimension for the group. There are so many bands that idolize Cheap Trick, but they’ve always been an underrated band. They are really a band’s band and Rick Neilson is a musician’s musician, he played with John Lennon and so many others over the years, but again, this Live at Budokan recording really transformed them into a fun band- Devon Mercer.
And later during the film I sat in front of these two gentlemen, from their comments I could tell they were really familiar with the music. On the right is Robert, he has a masters in music composition. On the left is Derrick, he’s a musician that still plays quite a bit. And here’s their take on Cheap Trick:
The band is one of the greatest power pop bands of all time, power pop is a genre that sort of the psychic continuation of the Beatles if you will, with heavier guitars, into the 70’s and 80’s. In fact, we were in a power pop band called Wunderband in NYC in the late 80’s & 90’s and were very often compared to Cheap Trick. Subconsciously we must have digested some of their sound, but we weren’t deliberately trying to sound like them. But they are idols of many bands, they don’t get nearly enough credit for what they’ve done. It’s an outrage that they haven’t been inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. By now they should have been recognized for their longevity and influence on so many other musicians; t
hey gig over 200 days a year and they were the first to do a double live album. When you hear hipster bands say “We’re big in Japan”, it’s a reference to these guys. They made recording at Budokan significant. In fact, their hit “Surrender” was first recorded and released as a studio album, but it shot through the roof, once they released the Live at Budokan version. They are a real rock and roll band that puts on a great show! Hey, you should call this piece – “The Last String Bender” – Robert Fanelli and Derrick Ayers.
Summer outdoor movie fun is not over yet; PFS has even added a new screening venue and new partners -The Clay Studio and Elfreth’s Alley — In the Mind of the Artist. All films will be projected at dusk onto the side of The Clay Studio from Flagpole Park (on the south side of the gallery). First screening is July 29th Mel Brooks’ comedy classic, The Young Frankenstein, which I’ve never seen.
I have been looking forward to seeing The Kids Are Alright, with Annette Bening, Julianne Moore and Mark Ruffalo. Bening and Moore are a lesbian couple who each had a child by the same sperm donor (Ruffalo) and the kids decide they want to find this anonymous father. PFS members (Director Level and above) and me as blogger! Get to see a sneak preview of this film next Tuesday (7/20).
The DVD Swap at Triumph Brewery has been postponed. New date to be announced soon.
One last thing, I just got back from Vegas, baby! If you’d like to read my post on Tinsel & Tine click HERE.
supercool. this is exactly the kind of event that makes living in philadelphia fun & unique. looking forward to more!
Robert and Derrick really explained the significance of this band and their concert film. It is interesting to note how much the live recording affected the popularity of “Surrender.” They also made me reconsider my assessment of Cheap Trick. While they have never been one of my personal favorite bands to listen to, I can also appreciate the positive influence that a band’s body of work can have on future musicians. I will also say that the Rick Nielsen & Tom Petersson were wonderful at the meet and greet. They were generally very gracious with the fans and made a concerted effort to ask for names and establish a personal connection.
I attended this event to meet Cheap Trick! I saw a picture on philly.com of Rick Nielson being handcuffed by the COP who waited in line to show the band his tattoo..even though it might not have been a Cheap Trick tattoo?? Whatever…awesome night!
was he getting handcuffed for his playful, half-hearted attempt to suffocate that poor sweet girl on the steps in front of the screen? I suppose she looked so startled that the long arm of the law had to take quick action.
Events like these are the perfect things to punctuate my otherwise boring summer
! The Philadelphia Film Society and 102.9 WMGK rock!!!
Can’t wait for the In the Mind of the Artist series in Old City! Free outdoor movie screenings on Summer nights are the best!