Cheap Trick to headline rock fest March 25

January 20, 2017 | Events, UToday
By Staff



Savage Arena is about to rock again. The official lineup has been released for Rock the Arena II, which will take place Saturday, March 25, and feature more than 10 hours of entertainment.

The all-day event will be headlined by Cheap Trick.

rock-the-arena-ii-posterThe lineup also will feature Lou Gramm, the original lead singer of Foreigner, as well as Cinderella’s Tom Keifer, Warrant, Quiet Riot, founding Ratt frontman Stephen Pearcy, Jack Russell’s Great White, Vixen, Autograph and Trixter.   

Cheap Trick hit the big time when a recording of a concert at Budokan in Tokyo was released in the United States in 1979. “I Want You to Want Me,” “Surrender” and “Ain’t That a Shame” became staples on rock radio. The band’s other hits include “Dream Police,” “Stop This Game,” “Tonight It’s You” and “The Flame.”

In April, Cheap Trick will be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. The current lineup is singer and guitarist Robin Zander, lead guitarist Rick Nielsen, bassist Tom Petersson and drummer Daxx Nielsen.

Gramm sang lead on Foreigner’s smashes: “Feels Like the First Time,” “Cold as Ice,” “Long, Long Way From Home,” “Blue Morning, Blue Day,” “Double Vision,” “Hot Blooded,” “Head Games,” “Urgent,” “Jukebox Hero” and “Say You Will.” His solo hits include “Midnight Blue” and “Just Between You and Me.”

Singer-guitarist Keifer was with Cinderella for “Nobody’s Fool,” “Don’t Know What You Got (Till It’s Gone)” and “Coming Home.” Warrant scored with “Cherry Pie” and “Heaven,” and Quiet Riot is remembered for “Bang Your Head (Mental Health)” and “Cum on Feel the Noize.”

Pearcy, singer-songwriter and guitarist, fronted Ratt and sang “Round and Round” and “Lay It Down.” Russell, founding member of Great White, was the vocalist on “Once Bitten, Twice Shy” and “Rock Me.”

Vixen found success with “Edge of a Broken Heart,” Autograph was on the airwaves with “Turn Up the Radio,” and Trixter demanded attention with “Give it to Me Good.”

Last year’s inaugural Rock the Arena sold out in less than three weeks.

“Rock the Arena brings a festival atmosphere indoors,” said Chris Thompson, UT treasurer. “In fact, it could be an even more enjoyable experience in some instances since everything is on one stage in one day. Fans have the opportunity to see multiple bands from the pit or a reserved seat without having to worry about the weather, missing a performance on another stage, or losing their spot. 

“Last year, there was something like 1,800 fans through the doors in the first 15 minutes, and more than two-thirds of ticket holders had scanned in by the end of the first act,” he added. “We heard from community members who had never been to Savage Arena before and alumni who hadn’t been back in years and everyone talked about what a great time it was.”

“That was one of the goals of SAVAGE LIVE, to bring more people to campus, as well as to provide additional entertainment options for our students, donors, season ticket holders, employees, alumni and community members,” said Dave Nottke, deputy director of athletics.   

Doors will open at 11 a.m. March 25.

Tickets range from $39 to $125 and are available online at utsavagelive.com, by phone at 419.530.GOLD, or in person with no fees at the UT Ticket Office at Savage Arena.  Limited student tickets are available with current UT ID for $29 at the box office.

For more information on Rock the Arena II and other upcoming SAVAGE LIVE events, visit utsavagelive.com.

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