Happy New Year. I just wanted to post a few more pics from the book in higher resolution than they appear on the page.
The June 1978 shows at the Metro in Boston were a huge part of the band's story, especially since one from the 10th was broadcast on WBCN. Charles Laquidara was a huge fixture in radio and his Big Mattress show was the precursor to Howard Stern. Rick refers to his "Duane Glasscock" character during the show as well as the fact that the set would be undoubtedly recorded by fans. Edward "Oedipus" Hyson was another DJ at the station who played Budokan a bunch before its official release. Bruce Dickinson, who was the buyer at the Harvard Coop at the time, also played a huge part in the story of the album.
The back cover shot is from Utica, NY on December 12, 1978. I really wish it had been larger in the finished version, but it's yet another thing I had no control over. My friend Ross Edmond actually worked on the negative from Bill Cormier. It's interesting because it's from a show that has no pictures and was taken by an attendee. It shows the band exactly as they would appear to the world shortly thereafter. Not surprisingly, Cheap Trick is a hard band to capture all in one frame. This shot has it all.
Anyway, thanks to Jem Aswad at Variety and Gillian Gaar at Goldmine for including the book in their "Best of 2024"lists. It's a very cool honor, to say the least. Anyway, thanks for reading and spreading the word.
RLW
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