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Still Competition
The Listener's Guide To Cheap Trick
Following the success of his 2016 book Razama-Snaz! The Listener’s Guide to Nazareth, Robert Lawson returns with this meticulous reviewing of every Cheap Trick album, song by song. In his book, Still Competition: The Listener’s Guide to Cheap Trick, Lawson outlines the band’s significant television appearances, live shows, and more with the attention to detail only a super fan could provide.
A dedicated follower, Lawson has assembled this reference guide out of a love of music and a dedication to fellow fans, but he is not without criticism (often humourously so) when the rockers fall short of his high expectations. He shines the spotlight indiscriminately, which makes him all the more credible a witness to the band’s lengthy career. Lawson also seeks input from some of the world’s greatest Cheap Trick and classic rock fans, who share stories from epic live shows.
Fellow classic rock devotees will love this manual on Cheap Trick’s highs, lows, and everything in between.
Still Competition: The Listener's Guide to Cheap Trick is available to order at:
https://books.friesenpress.com/store/title/119734000046049355/Robert-Lawson-Still-Competition
TESTIMONIALS
"Hugely knowledgeable fan of classic rock and rock retail insider Robert Lawson has discovered a new form of rock bio with his Nazareth book and now this towering work on Cheap Trick.
Still Competition synthesizes, makes readable and pleasing to the ear and intellect everything you needed to know about the Cheap Trick albums in order to fully appreciate the intense listening sessions that are sure to follow one’s effortless read.
Lawson creates love letters to these artists’ material but with substance, his reverence for the band's catalogue resonating and ringing loudly on his packed pages."
Martin Popoff, author of 60 books on heavy metal, punk and classic rock
"Cheap Trick is a band never seemed to get their just deserts. With Robert Lawson's Still Competition maybe we are seeing a change in the weather. Here is a look at the band's history going though each album, documenting the impact of the music (you know, the stuff that really matters). A fun read and great primer for Cheap Trick's discography. Recommended."
Ken Mills, co-host of Cheap Talk with Trick Chat Podcast
MEDIA
Interview with Matt Kissane Jan 11 2017:
https://www.spreaker.com/user/mattkissane/matt-kissane-talks-to-robert-lawson
Interview with Mark Skaar Jan 12 2017:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cBshgr9zMqI&feature=youtu.be
Interview with Mitch Lafon Jan 21 2018:
https://omny.fm/shows/rock-talk-with-mitch-lafon/michael-schenker-ufo-scorpions-simple-minds-cheap
Follow-up interview with Mitch Lafone Feb 5 2018:
https://omny.fm/shows/rock-talk-with-mitch-lafon/cheap-trick-alice-coopers-michael-bruce
Interview with Michael Butler Feb 12 2018:
http://www.americanheartbreak.com/rnrgeekwp/talking-cheap-trick-with-robert-lawson-rock-and-roll-geek-show-821/
Interview with Ralph Viera: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KAULAv1Al-8
Interview with Rock & Metal Combat Podcast: http://wadzilla74.podbean.com/
Interview with Jimmy Kay from The Metal Voice: https://www.facebook.com/themetalvoice/videos/1796503763742830/
Here's a 30 min chat with Ken Mills and Brian "BJ" Kramp about the different things going on with Cheap Trick in 2018:
https://cheaptalktrickchat.blogspot.com/2018/05/cheap-talk-46-fan-reaction.html
Ken Mills and Brian "BJ" Kramp and I discuss Side One of the mighty "Rockford" album!
https://cheaptalktrickchat.blogspot.com/2018/06/cheap-talk-47-rockford-side-1.html
Ken Mills, Brian Kramp and I discuss Side Two of "Rockford" here: https://cheaptalktrickchat.blogspot.com/2018/07/cheap-talk-48-rockford-side-2.html
Mark Daven from the Guitar Radio Show and I discuss CT, the book and their guitars!
http://guitarradioshow.com/episode-211-author-robert-lawson-still-competition-listeners-guide-to-cheap-trick/
AMAZON REVIEWS
Alissa Pecoraino
5.0 out of 5 stars Cheap Trick fans must have!
December 8, 2017
Format: Paperback
This book is a must buy! Covers A to Z of the Cheap Trick catalog as well as specials, shows, and fan stories.
Every Cheap Trick fan needs one! Enjoy 🎶
Thomas
5.0 out of 5 stars A "can't miss!"
December 9, 2017
Format: Paperback|Verified Purchase
Excellent book, chronologically composed with great detail; from the "early days (1967-1975)" all the way through their Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction in 2016. A must read for hardcore Cheap Trick fans and even for the casual fan or, especially any new, first-time fans. Great information on every album release (including solo projects and movie soundtracks) throughout the band's long, distinguished forty-plus year career.
Highly recommended... five stars plus!!!
Todd Shroyer
5.0 out of 5 starsDetailed chronological order of the bands albums and detailed facts are incredible and make for an excellent read! Tons of rare photos
December 29, 2017
Format: Paperback
Just when I thought I knew almost everything there is to know about Cheap Trick, Robert Lawson proves me wrong! Detailed chronological order of the bands albums and detailed facts are incredible and make for an excellent read! Tons of rare photos!
Robert definitely did his homework!
Ron Shiflet
5.0 out of 5 stars A Must for Cheap Trick Fans
December 29, 2017
Format: Paperback|Verified Purchase
This book is essential for fans of the best Power Pop band in the world. This is the type of book I have always wanted, one which looks at the band's music in chronological order from beginning to the present.
I couldn't be happier with this book!
John Garcia
5.0 out of 5 stars Great book from a Cheap Trick aficionado
December 29, 2017
Format: Hardcover|Verified Purchase
Great book from a Cheap Trick aficionado, covering all albums from start to finish. Fun insights, trivia and context for one of rock’s greatest bands.
Check this book out, it’s absolutely worth the price.
Andy Meredith
5.0 out of 5 stars Another great book from Robert Lawson
January 9, 2018
Format: Paperback
Another great book from Robert Lawson, this time focusing on Cheap Trick. As in his previous book on Nazareth, the author goes beyond the hits, and provides all fans of the band with new insight. It’s evident that this was a labour of love , not only by Mr. Lawson, but the Cheap Trick fan community, too. I’m really looking forward to his next book
mhnyr2000
5.0 out of 5 stars
January 15, 2018
Format: Paperback|Verified Purchase
A great, informative book!
Tony Asselta
5.0 out of 5 stars Great book on a great band really enjoyed reading it
January 26, 2018
Format: Paperback|Verified Purchase
Great book on a great band really enjoyed reading it . Thank you Robert Lawson for a excellent book on my all time favorite band ......Cheap Trick
Kindle Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars I highly recommend this to any Cheap Trick fan.
January 29, 2018
Format: Paperback|Verified Purchase
As a lifelong Cheap Trick fan, the information in this book was very interesting. It's always great to hear the back stories on songs. Great read! By the way, I live 20 miles from Rockford Il. so there's no shortage in Cheap Trick items around..
Andy
5.0 out of 5 stars Really enjoyed this book
January 29, 2018
Format: Paperback|Verified Purchase
Really enjoyed this book! There really isn't a Cheap Trick book out there to quench my thirst and this one covers all of their recordings, and several bits of info that I found very interesting
Allan Carpenter
5.0 out of 5 stars Exhaustive and Passionate!
February 20, 2018
Format: Paperback|Verified Purchase
Great book on one of rock’s most underrated bands. The author clearly has a passion for Trick’s music, and his research is exhaustive. Not a band bio per se, but a really useful look at the entire multi-decade career of Cheap Trick. Read it, and go beyond the hits!
Paul
5.0 out of 5 stars If you "start to fantasize of memory lane" this is the book to have alongside!
February 21, 2018
Format: Paperback|Verified Purchase
It was such a rush to find someone who took the time to recount album by album, from the early days to the Rock HOF, my favorite band. Very well organized with plenty of quotes from others who experienced Cheap Trick's rises and setbacks. The photos of band promotional materials were an added bonus. Highly recommend this publication.
Jim Pieschel
4.0 out of 5 starsI enjoyed the book
February 25, 2018
Format: Hardcover|Verified Purchase
I enjoyed the book, and it was a nice/easy read. Living my entire life in Rockford IL, I am a bit of a purist on anything Trick. Admittedly, some of the back stories about the band were fascinating. Probably my only complaint is that there was a reference in the Standing On The Edge album where Epic could not get Rick’s last name spelled correctly. Yet, later in the book the author spelled Rick’s name as “Neilsen.”