Cheap Trick fairgoers get deep dive with classic rock show at Wellington fairgrounds

WELLINGTON — A year after opening for Def Leppard and Journey at Progressive Field, power-pop act Cheap Trick played an intimate show Monday night at the Lorain County Fair. With perfect weather, the rock band arrived on stage with a female over the PA stating, "Are you ready for the best (expletive) rock band you've ever seen?" That's exactly what the 2016 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame act delivered with a roughly 80-minute set to more than two-thirds-full Wellington grandstand. The Illinois-based outfit — which still boasts original members, including the dapper Robin Zander (vocals), lovable goof Rick Nielsen (guitar) and reserved Tom Petersson (bass) — opened up its set with something familiar. The group often kicks off its shows in a traditional fashion with "Hello There," a frenetic, albeit obscure, rocker from the group's 1977 breakout effort "In Color." That would turn out to be the theme of the night — deep cuts. This included heavy hitter "ELO Kiddies," from the band's self-titled debut. Next was "The Party," a raucous track from the group's last studio effort, 2021's "In Another World," followed by "High Roller." The latter two songs had yet to be played on the band's current tour. Despite not being the group's popular tunes, the spirited crowd enjoyed the emotional vocals buoyed by loud guitars. With a wink-wink to the audience, next up the quartet had fun turning in its playful "That '70s Show" theme song. "What a fine looking bunch we have here, the girls are gorgeous and the guys are here," said a deadpanned Nielsen before launching into the first radio hit of the night, "If You Want My Love." Early on, Cheap Trick tailored its set for those diehard fans who know its deep catalog. The problem was that it wasn't this audience, who spent the day in the heat eating junk food, ready to work off some off the calories by rocking and rolling on the bleachers. This included plenty of Gen Xers, some of whom were seeing Cheap Trick for the first time such as John Casto. "I've followed Cheap Trick since the late '70s, and I wanted to see them because they're a good band, but I got a late start going to concerts," said the Vermilion resident. "I'm making up for it now." It's a big night of firsts for Casto, including coming to the Lorain County Fair. "I've never been to the fair, shame on me," he said, laughing. "It took a while to draw me in, but I'm here and I'm excited." By the end of the evening, the fans got what they wanted. That included a Nielsen multineck guitar, along with singing along to the group's career-defining hits — "The Flame," "I Want You to Want Me," "Dream Police" and "Surrender." Whether Cheap Trick was indeed the best rock band ever in concert is up for debate; however, the audience walked away seeing exactly why the tight group was Rock Hall worthy. Next up at the Lorain County Fair will be legendary country band Lonestar with a Tuesday night show at the Wellington grandstand. Contact John Benson at ndiffrence@att.net