The story of Cheap Trick began at the end of the 1960s in the United States. At that time, Rick Nielsen (vocals) and Tom Petersson (bassist) formed the group, Fuse. After several shows, the duo signed with Epic Records and released their first album in 1969. Unfortunately, the album was a commercial failure and the two decided to relocate to Philadelphia. At the same time, they changed their name to Sick Man of Europe.

In the beginning of the 1970s, the group toured Europe unsuccessfully for a year before returning to Illinois. To make a name for themselves in the music industry, Neilsen and Petersson changed their band name to Cheap Trick. Not long after that, the duo recruited drummer, Bun E. Carlos, and singer, Randy “Xeno” Hogan. A few months later, Hogan was fired and ex-folksinger Robin Zander joined the group.

Between 1975 and 1977, the band toured incessantly playing more than 200 concerts a year. Cheap Trick rapidly became known for their unique style of music and opened for Kiss, AC/DC, Santana, and Queen. During this time, the quartet built a solid catalogue of original songs and perfected their live show.

Finally, Cheap Trick released their self-titled debut album in 1977. Released by Epic Records, the album achieved moderate success but failed to chart. However, the group became a massive success in Japan, and they decided to return to the studio. The same year, the album In Color was released. The album seduced fans and critics and the album peaked at the 73^rd position on the Pop Album Chart. The album went gold in Japan and Cheap Trick continued to tour internationally. In 1978, the group played sold out shows in the Budokan Arena in Japan.

In 1978, taking advantage of the band’s growing popularity, they released their second album entitled, Heaven Tonight. The album was a commercial success and reached the 48^th position on the charts. The single, Surrender, became the first success for the group and the first single to chart in the U.S.

In 1979, the group released the live album, Cheap Trick At Budokan, which was recorded during their concert in Japan. The album surpassed all expectations and peaked at the fourth position on the Pop Album Chart. The success was outstanding and the album sold more than 4 million copes, launching Cheap Trick into international stardom. The song I Want You To Want Me, reached the seventh position on the charts and became one of the group’s most popular songs. Also in 1979, Cheap Trick released the album, Dream Police. The album was also a commercial success and the title track of the album was a hit single, charting within the Top 40.

In the early 1980s, Cheap Trick released an EP of tracks entitled, Found all the Parts. The album went virtually unnoticed and the group released the album, All Shook Up, a few months later. Not long after the release of All Shook Up, Petersson left the group to form a band with his wife, Dagmar. At around the same time, Jon Brant was recruited on bass and All Shook Up reached the 24^th position on the charts.

In 1982, the quartet released the album, One on One. The album was a massive success and was certified platinum. In 1983, Next Position Please was released. This time, the album was not well received by fans and reached only the 132^nd position on the Billboard 200 Chart. Despite the drop in their popularity, the group continued to produce albums between 1984 and 1988 including, Standing on the Edge and The Doctor, both of which suffered similar fates, as the group was slowly losing its creative spark.

In 1988, Petersson returned to Cheap Trick and the band released the album, Lap of Luxury, produced with the help of many well-known songwriters. The album was a surprise hit, reaching the 16^th position on the Billboard 200 Chart. The singles, The Flame and Don’t be Cruel, a rendition of the classic hit from Elvis Presley, were huge successes on the radio and peaked in the Top 5 on U.S charts. With the band on top again, they left for an international tour.

In 1990, the band attempted to capitalize on the success of Lap of Luxury with the release of the album, Busted. The album was not as successful as Lap of Luxury, effectively putting an end to the group’s commercial comeback. In 1994, Cheap Trick signed with Warner Brothers and released the album, Woke up With a Monster. The same year, Epic Records released a sequel to At Budokan, Budokan II, a revisit to the group’s first successful album. 

In 1995, Cheap Trick lost their contract with Warner Brothers. At the same time, the career of the group was suffering and members of the Smashing Pumpkins decided to help by allowing them to open at several of their shows. Cheap Trick then released a second self-titled album in 1997. The album charted at the 99^th position on the Billboard 200 and the group never regained the level of popularity they had previously experienced.

After several remarkable concerts, Cheap Trick released the live album, Music for Hangovers in 1999. At the beginning of the new millennium, the band still did not have a record label, but continued to put on shows at benefit concerts.

In 2001, the quartet released a double album, entitled Silver, which marked the 25^th anniversary of their career.

In 2003, the group released the album, Special One, which reached the sixth position on the independent albums chart. In 2006, Cheap Trick released the album, Rockford. The album was not as successful as its predecessor and they returned for a new series of shows internationally.