Customer Reviews

Reputation Is a Fragile Thing: The Story of Cheap Trick

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Being a long time CT fan I welcomed a book on the band. The author has presented very detailed info on the making of every album (if not every song). I mean detail down to the insturments used on the songs, musicians will particularly like this.

The reason for 4 stars and not 5 is this.... the author glosses over the personal aspects of the band and it's history. Yes, there are some points made about their personal lives, however not anywhere near enough. Passing references are made to the band members getting married....and divorced for that matter. But we know nothing of how these marriages came about..... Again, only passing references........ I would love to see a follow up book that was not so centric around the minute details of every song, but more about the personal aspects of the band.....

This being said.....I still recommend the book....but only for those hardcore Trickster fans......Then again, only big time CT fans will get the book anyway.

This book presents a great deal of information about Cheap Trick's musical career, working from the often sketchy resources that are available from this rather private band. However, the notion that Cheap Trick's career downturn resulted from the band being "victims" of bad production, management, timing, etc. is allowed to be perpetuated, taking some of the potential bite away from the account of CT's history. Similarly, almost no details of the band members' private lives in any revealing sense make it into this book, leaving the band members rendered as ciphers (especially Bun E. Carlos, of whom we never find out any details of his family/romantic life). Overall this book is much like Cheap Trick in general--A fascinating and rewarding experience at most times, frustrating and ocluded at others. Still definitely recommended

The book tells it all from the group's beginning to their most recent album with all the trials and tribulations they've endured. Plenty of trivia for each album i.e. a picture of Rick's wife on one of the album covers. Want to know which one? Read the book. You won't be disappointed!

A very thorough biography on the rollercoaster career of one of the most dynamic bands in rock, Cheap Trick. The book covers the bands humble beginnings as Fuse to the Sick Man of Europe days. Each CT album is tracked and reviewed in vivid detail, with plenty of tidbits about the making of each disc from their debut release "Cheap Trick('77)" to their latest "Cheap Trick('97)." The book includes vintage photos of the band, including shots of Nielson sans the ball cap. Set lists and discography is an added bonus. The book also has lots of info that even the most loyal fan & scribe didn't know until now. Example: Last Chapter had me searching for the lost outtakes on the new album. Cool! A great read on a great band. Long time fans won't be disappointed.

This book was carefully researched and written, including lots of detail on the career of America's premiere power pop band. Lots of great photos! Thumbs up.

As a CT fan, I relished this delicious book! It's got tons of details on the band and their music. Even though the author stayed on the surface of CT, I still love the book and highly recommend it, to CT fans.

The book has two great sections of rare photos. Wow...Rick had long hair in his younger days and he sported a fierce look back then too, before he suited up in his nerd get-up. The picture of Bun E. running like mad off stage had me cracking up. There's an interesting shot of Tom passed out...I mean "Resting", in a rest room and what an adorable baby pic of Robin...AWWWWWEEEEE!

I wish the author would have probed deeper into CT. It's human nature to want to know more about someone or something, when you love the subject. I love CT's music and would love to know more about them and their art. I think the more you know about the artist, the more you appreciate the art too. I know they are a private band and I think that needs to be respected but, it's a shame not much is known about CT on a deeper level. Also, it may be hard to open up, but when you do, it helps others. Others can learn, grow, and heal, from the experiences CT went through. I also would have liked more analysis of the lyrics. CT has some of the best lyrics in rock and not much is understood or written about the lyrics.

The book is well organized, enjoyable to read, and provides lots of information on the best band in the world!!

As a long time fan of Cheap Trick, I consider RIAFT to be THE Cheap Trick Bible. It is full of information about the band. Anyone who knows the band well is aware of the fact that they like to keep their private lives private and Mike and Ken respect that. I refer to this book all the time and keep it handy. It is also full of never before seen early photos of the band. You might also like to know that I tried to order this book originally through Amazon and they accepted my order only to tell me that they could not obtain it. That is ridiculous as Mike Hayes actually helped me (and many other fans) obtain this book directly through Ken Sharp. Afterward I informed Amazon that it is available through Ken Sharp and my email to them fell on deaf ears.

This book is great in describing what the band has done over the years. It details information about every album. I really liked the inside information that was given about the making of each album.

I really love the accomplishments that they have had over the years. They are truly one of Americas greatest rock bands.

Keep on Rockin'!!

Hats off to Mike Hayes and Ken Sharp for this book! Reputation Is A Fragile Thing provides a thorough look into the history of Cheap Trick, one of the greatest rock and roll bands. Thank God for Cheap Trick and thank God for this book!

A must have for every Cheap Trick fan...It's all here and it's all great. You've heard the music, now read the book.