Robin Zander

Last updated

Robin Zander
CheapTrickO2061218-6 - 49914166356 (cropped).jpg
Zander performing with Cheap Trick in 2018
Background information
Birth nameRobin Wayne Zander
Born (1953-01-23) January 23, 1953 (age 71)
Beloit, Wisconsin, U.S.
Genres
Occupations
  • Singer
  • songwriter
  • musician
Instruments
  • Vocals
  • guitar
Years active1973–present
Member of Cheap Trick

Robin Wayne Zander (born January 23, 1953) [1] is an American musician, best known as the lead singer and rhythm guitarist for the rock band Cheap Trick, but is also a solo artist. Zander was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2016 as a member of Cheap Trick.

Contents

Zander performing at Ruth Eckerd Hall, Clearwater, Florida - January 31, 2014 Robin Zander - 2014.jpg
Zander performing at Ruth Eckerd Hall, Clearwater, Florida – January 31, 2014

Early life

Zander was born in Beloit, Wisconsin, and grew up in nearby Loves Park, Illinois. [2] He learned to play the guitar by age 12. [3] Zander graduated from Harlem High School in Machesney Park, Illinois. [4] After playing in high school bands in the 1960s, [5] he joined Brian Beebe to form the folk duo Zander & Kent in the early 1970s. [6]

Music career

Cheap Trick

In 1974, Zander accepted an invitation to join Cheap Trick. [7] Along with Zander, the band consisted of guitarist Rick Nielsen, bassist Tom Petersson, and drummer Bun E. Carlos. [8] Cheap Trick's 1979 album, Cheap Trick at Budokan , catapulted the band to stardom. [9] The band reached the Top 10 in the U.S. charts in 1979 with "I Want You to Want Me" and topped the charts in 1988 with "The Flame". [10] As of 2018, Cheap Trick had been a band for over 40 years. [11] Cheap Trick has performed more than 5,000 shows [12] and has sold more than 20 million albums. [5] Zander was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a member of Cheap Trick in 2016. [13]

Other work

Zander released the solo album Robin Zander in 1993. A second solo album, Countryside Blvd, was released online in April 2011 but was withdrawn from online music outlets within hours of being available.

On September 30, 2016, Los Angeles rock band Steel Panther released a cover version of Cheap Trick song "She's Tight" (from Cheap Trick's 1982 album One On One ), which features Zander in the music video. [14]

Influence

Known for his "pin-up good looks", [2] Zander's singing has been described as "jaw-dropping" and "supremely virtuosic". [15] In a 2014 piece titled "Unsung Heroes: The 10 Most Underrated Classic Rock Singers", Dan Tucker of VH1.com described Zander as having "range, style and attitude." [16] Zander is a tenor. [17] [18] [19] [20]

Zander's vocal style has influenced many other rock singers, from 1980s hard rockers (such as Joe Elliott of Def Leppard, Vince Neil of Mötley Crüe, Axl Rose of Guns N' Roses, Bret Michaels of Poison, and Sebastian Bach of Skid Row) to 1990s punk revivalists (such as Billie Joe Armstrong of Green Day) to alternative singers (such as Billy Corgan of The Smashing Pumpkins, Eddie Vedder of Pearl Jam, Kurt Cobain of Nirvana, and Scott Weiland of Stone Temple Pilots). [21] [22] [23] [2]

The May 2009 issue of Classic Rock magazine published a list of the 50 Greatest Singers in Rock. Zander was voted #23 on the list by readers, Classic Rock critics and a number of singers. [24]

Personal life

Zander performing in Minneapolis, Minnesota in 2008 RobinZander.JPG
Zander performing in Minneapolis, Minnesota in 2008

Zander and his first wife, Karen, had a son named and a daughter. [25]

As of 2018, Zander lives in Safety Harbor, Florida [26] [27] with his wife, former Playboy Playmate Pamela Stein. [28] Zander and Stein have a son and a daughter; [26] both are singer-songwriters. [27] When Cheap Trick bassist Tom Petersson was unable to tour in 2021 due to surgery, Zander's son filled in for him on tour. [29]

Solo discography

Albums

Singles

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cheap Trick</span> American rock band

Cheap Trick is an American rock band formed in Rockford, Illinois in 1973 by guitarist Rick Nielsen, bassist Tom Petersson, lead vocalist Robin Zander and drummer Bun E. Carlos. Their work bridged elements of '60s guitar pop, '70s hard rock, and the emerging punk rock sound, and would help set the template for subsequent power pop artists.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bun E. Carlos</span> American musician

Brad M. Carlson, better known by the stage name Bun E. Carlos, is the original drummer for American rock band Cheap Trick. He recorded and performed with the band from 1973 to 2010. Carlos was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2016 as a member of Cheap Trick.

<i>Cheap Trick at Budokan</i> 1978 live album by Cheap Trick

Cheap Trick at Budokan is the first live album by American rock band Cheap Trick, and their best-selling recording. Recorded at the Nippon Budokan in Tokyo, the album was first released in Japan on October 8, 1978, and later released in the United States in February 1979, through Epic Records. After several years of constant touring but only middling exposure for the band, At Budokan steadily grew off radio play and word-of-mouth to become a high-selling success, kickstarting the band's popularity and becoming acclaimed as one of the greatest live rock albums of all time and a classic of the power pop genre.

<i>Heaven Tonight</i> 1978 studio album by Cheap Trick

Heaven Tonight is the third studio album by American rock band Cheap Trick. It was produced by Tom Werman and released on April 24, 1978. The album was remastered and released with bonus tracks on Sony's Epic/Legacy imprint in 1998. The album cover features lead singer Robin Zander and bassist Tom Petersson on the front, with guitarist Rick Nielsen and drummer Bun E. Carlos on the back.

<i>In Color</i> (album) 1977 studio album by Cheap Trick

In Color is the second studio album by Cheap Trick, released in 1977 and produced by Tom Werman. Considered a classic of the power pop genre, the album was ranked No. 4 on Shake Some Action: The Ultimate Power Pop Guide. In 2003, the album was also ranked number 443 on Rolling Stone magazine's list of the 500 greatest albums of all time.

<i>The Doctor</i> (Cheap Trick album) 1986 studio album by Cheap Trick

The Doctor is the ninth studio album by Cheap Trick, released in 1986. It was produced by Tony Platt and reached No. 115 on the Billboard 200 Chart.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Flame (Cheap Trick song)</span> 1988 single by Cheap Trick

"The Flame" is a power ballad released in 1988 by the American rock band Cheap Trick as the first single from their tenth album, Lap of Luxury. It was written by songwriters Bob Mitchell and Nick Graham, and was produced by Richie Zito. "The Flame" reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100 in July 1988; it also reached number one in Australia and Canada.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Can't Stop Fallin' into Love</span> 1990 single by Cheap Trick

"Can't Stop Fallin' into Love" is a song by the American rock band Cheap Trick, which was released in 1990 as the lead single from their eleventh studio album Busted. It was written by guitarist Rick Nielsen, lead singer Robin Zander and bassist Tom Petersson, and Fred Nesbit, and was produced by Richie Zito.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Voices (Cheap Trick song)</span> 1979 single by Cheap Trick

"Voices" is a song written by Rick Nielsen and recorded by American rock band Cheap Trick which appeared on the album Dream Police. The single was released in 1979 and peaked at number 32 in the US. The single has become one of the band's more widely known tracks.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">If You Want My Love</span> 1982 single by Cheap Trick

"If You Want My Love" is a song by American rock band Cheap Trick, released in 1982 as the lead single from their sixth studio album One on One. It was written by guitarist Rick Nielsen and produced by Roy Thomas Baker. It reached number 45 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and number 2 on the Australian Kent Music Report chart.

Need Your Love is a song written by Rick Nielsen and Tom Petersson that was originally performed by American rock band Cheap Trick. The song appeared on Cheap Trick's 1979 album Dream Police. A live version was included on the 1978 album Cheap Trick at Budokan, which initially appeared only in Japan but eventually was in the United States in early 1979. Because Cheap Trick was immensely popular in Japan, the band's Japanese label demanded that At Budokan include three new songs. The three songs were "Ain't That a Shame", "Goodnight Now" and "Need Your Love."

<i>Robin Zander</i> (album) 1993 studio album by Robin Zander

Robin Zander is the debut solo album from American singer Robin Zander of Cheap Trick, released in 1993 by Interscope.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Auf Wiedersehen (song)</span> 1978 single by Cheap Trick

"Auf Wiedersehen" is a song co-written by Cheap Trick guitarist Rick Nielsen and bassist Tom Petersson and first released on the band's 1978 album Heaven Tonight. It was also released as a single as the B-side of "Surrender". Since its original release, it has also been released by Cheap Trick on several live and compilation albums, including Budokan II; Sex, America, Cheap Trick; The Essential Cheap Trick, and the 30th Anniversary Edition of Cheap Trick at Budokan, which also includes a DVD with a video performance of the song. Allmusic critic Stephen Thomas Erlewine described the song as one of the peaks of Heaven Tonight and as one of Cheap Trick's "stone-cold classics." It has often been used by the band to close their concerts. Since its original release, it has been covered by Anthrax, Cell, John Easdale, and Steel Pole Bath Tub.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tonight It's You</span> 1985 single by Cheap Trick

"Tonight It's You" is a song by American rock band Cheap Trick, which was released in 1985 as the lead single from their eighth studio album Standing on the Edge. It was written by Rick Nielsen, Robin Zander, Jon Brant and Mark Radice, and produced by Jack Douglas. "Tonight It's You" reached No. 44 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and No. 8 on the Billboard Top Rock Tracks Chart.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Woke Up with a Monster (song)</span> 1994 single by Cheap Trick

"Woke Up with a Monster" is a song by American rock band Cheap Trick, released in 1994 as the lead single from their twelfth studio album Woke Up with a Monster. It was written by Rick Nielsen, Robin Zander and Tom Petersson, and produced by Ted Templeman. The song was released by Warner Bros. Records as a promotional-only single in the United States, aimed at generating radio play. It reached No. 16 on the Billboard Album Rock Tracks and remained on the chart for six weeks.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Never Had a Lot to Lose</span> 1989 single by Cheap Trick

"Never Had a Lot to Lose" is a song by the American rock band Cheap Trick, which was released in 1989 as the fifth and final single from their tenth studio album Lap of Luxury (1988). It was written by lead vocalist Robin Zander and bassist Tom Petersson, and produced by Richie Zito. The song reached No. 75 on the Billboard Hot 100.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Way of the World (Cheap Trick song)</span> 1980 single by Cheap Trick

"Way of the World" is a song by American rock band Cheap Trick, which was released in 1980 as a single from their fourth studio album Dream Police (1979). The song was written by Rick Nielsen and Robin Zander and produced by Tom Werman. In February 1980 it was released as a 7" vinyl single in the UK only, backed by "Oh, Candy," from the first Cheap Trick album, and peaked at #73. It attempted to capitalize on the success of the mid-1979 single "I Want You to Want Me" and the live album Cheap Trick at Budokan which both entered the top 30.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">When I Wake Up Tomorrow</span> 2016 single by Cheap Trick

"When I Wake Up Tomorrow" is a song by American rock band Cheap Trick, which was released in 2016 as the second and final single from their seventeenth studio album Bang, Zoom, Crazy... Hello. It was written by Julian Raymond, Robin Zander, Rick Nielsen and Tom Petersson, and produced by Raymond and Cheap Trick. Released as a promotional single in the United States, "When I Wake Up Tomorrow" reached No. 24 on the Billboard Mainstream Rock chart.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Long Time Coming (Cheap Trick song)</span> 2017 single by Cheap Trick

"Long Time Coming" is a song by American rock band Cheap Trick, which was released in 2017 as the only single from their eighteenth studio album We're All Alright!. It was written by Robin Zander, Rick Nielsen, Tom Petersson and Julian Raymond, and produced by Raymond and Cheap Trick. Released as a promotional single in the United States, "Long Time Coming" reached No. 36 on the Billboard Mainstream Rock chart. The song also reached No. 1 on the Mediabase Classic Rock Airplay chart.

<i>In Another World</i> (Cheap Trick album) 2021 studio album by Cheap Trick

In Another World is the twentieth studio album by American rock band Cheap Trick, released on April 9, 2021.

References

  1. ↑ Rose, Mike. "Today's famous birthdays list for January 23, 2023 includes celebrities Mariska Hargitay, Chita Rivera". Cleveland.com . Retrieved January 23, 2023.
  2. 1 2 3 "Robin Zander - Biography & History". AllMusic.
  3. ↑ "Robin Zander Band to perform in Newton". Daily Record.
  4. ↑ Leaf, Brian. "Rock and Roll Hall of Fame finally tells Cheap Trick it wants the Rockford band in its Class of 2016". Journal Standard.
  5. 1 2 "Cheap Trick's lead singer Robin Zander set to rock The Ranch". Naples Daily News.
  6. ↑ Patenaude, Joel (September 22, 2018). "Madison-area musician hopes to recover in time for show with Cheap Trick singer". WISC.
  7. ↑ "Cheap Trick comes full circle in Milwaukee". March 1, 2007.
  8. ↑ Curry, Corina. "Cheap Trick: 'New guy' Daxx Nielsen has known bandmates his whole life". Rockford Register Star.
  9. ↑ "Cheap Trick – At Budokan (album)". SwissCharts.com. Retrieved November 10, 2007.
  10. ↑ "Cheap Trick". Billboard. Retrieved April 3, 2019.
  11. ↑ "5 reasons to see Cheap Trick in concert".
  12. ↑ "Cheap Trick: 'We don't want to do wimp versions of ourselves'". USA TODAY.
  13. ↑ "Cheap Trick is having a banner year". San Diego Union-Tribune. June 1, 2016.
  14. ↑ "Steel Panther release She's Tight video". Loudwire. September 30, 2016. Retrieved October 6, 2016.
  15. ↑ Miers, Jeff (June 27, 2018). "Cheap Trick steals the show, but Poison fans still leave happy".
  16. ↑ Tucker 4/26/2014, Dan. "Unsung Heroes: The 10 Most Underrated Classic Rock Singers". VH1 News. Archived from the original on June 29, 2022.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  17. ↑ "Picks of the week". Times Union. January 22, 2014. Retrieved January 21, 2019.
  18. ↑ "Concert preview: Cheap Trick still carries a flame for great music". Reno Gazette Journal. Retrieved January 21, 2019.
  19. ↑ Legge, Ed. "Rock legend delights crowd in intimate shows at Monk's". Wiscnews.com. Retrieved January 21, 2019.
  20. ↑ Tribune, Bob Gendron, Special to the. "Cheap Trick packs Ravinia for hits, deep cuts and Beatles' covers". chicagotribune.com. Retrieved January 21, 2019.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  21. ↑ "Music – Music News, New Songs, Videos, Music Shows and Playlists from MTV". www.mtv.com. Archived from the original on December 22, 1996.
  22. ↑ Freedman, Pete (November 18, 2008). "Q and A: Rick Nielsen of Cheap Trick". Dallas Observer.
  23. ↑ "Cheap Trick singer talks longevity, lawsuits, and lipo before acoustic show". delawareonline.
  24. ↑ Lab, Avalon Media. "Glenn Hughes Fan Forum". g l e n n h u g h e s . c o m.
  25. ↑ Leaf, Brian (April 10, 2016). "Cheap Trick: Several bandmates' kids pursuing the family business". RRStar.com. Retrieved September 24, 2018.
  26. 1 2 "Daddy's all right: Cheap Trick's Robin Zander to play concert with son and daughter this Saturday". SandhillsExpress.com. September 6, 2018. Retrieved September 24, 2018.
  27. 1 2 Cridlin, Jay (April 6, 2016). "Cheap Trick's Robin Zander celebrates Safety Harbor, Hall of Fame induction". Tampa Bay Times. Retrieved September 24, 2018.
  28. ↑ Greene, Andy (April 8, 2016). "Inside Cheap Trick's Unlikely Renaissance". Rolling Stone. Retrieved September 24, 2018.
  29. ↑ Gray, Andy (November 12, 2021). "Cheap Trick (and sons) rock Packard". The Vindicator. Retrieved November 13, 2021.
  30. ↑ Tom Demalon (July 6, 1993). "Robin Zander - Robin Zander | Songs, Reviews, Credits". AllMusic. Retrieved February 1, 2019.
  31. ↑ "Countryside Blvd. - Robin Zander - Songs, Reviews, Credits". AllMusic.
  32. ↑ "Robin Zander - In This Country". Discogs.
  33. ↑ "Rebbie Jackson with Robin Zander - You Send The Rain Away". Discogs.
  34. ↑ "Rebbie Jackson You Send The Rain Away Chart History". Billboard.
  35. ↑ "Robin Zander Surrender To Me (From "Tequila Sunrise") Chart History". Billboard.
  36. ↑ "Robin Zander Surrender To Me Chart History". Billboard.
  37. ↑ "I've Always Got You". Discogs.
  38. ↑ "Robin Zander I've Always Got You Chart History". Billboard.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.