Music Connection

music connection magazine

Music Connection Magazine has been publishing bi-weekly issues since 1977. The company is based in the Los Angeles, California, USA area.

An interesting excerpt from the article: "In true Spinal Tap fashion, co-founder (with Nielsen) and bassist Tom Petersson had married and was intent on jump starting his wife Dagmar's musical career. Petersson left Cheap Trick in 1980. "He left for medical reasons," says Nielsen only half facetiously. "He made us sick."

“As Petersson's solo project sank without a trace, his former band-mates also floundered. There were a succession of bassist and keyboardists. Only one, Jon Brant, came close to becoming a full fledged member. "Originally, the four of us were Cheap Trick, Inc.," Nielsen informs me. "When Tom left, we bought out all his shares, so it was just Robin, Bun E. and myself. We got all the bills then. The other guys never really joined the band. They were in the band, but they weren't actually members. If we had made tons of money, though, I'm sure we would have split it with Jon. He was with us six years."“

A photo of a Hamer B12A is included in the article.

While there is no 12-string bass content in this issue it does include three separate interviews that offer some fascinating behind-the-scenes insight into Cheap Trick’s ‘Busted’ album which included the band’s only #1 hit, ‘The Flame’. Along with the interview with the band, producer Richie Zito discusses the inclusion of ‘The Flame’ and states Tom Petersson’s return to Cheap Trick was deliberately orchestrated and not a chance meeting at a party where Petersson spilled a drink on Nielsen. Zito: “At about the same time, Ken Adamany, who has managed the band since the beginning, started making overtures to try and reunite Tom Petersson with the band.”

The interview with Epic Records A&R VP Don Grierson discusses his involvement with Cheap Trick, and how he works with both new artists and established acts.

Another tidbit from the magazine’s ‘Ten Years Ago’ column: “Who’s on Drums: Veteran drummer Jeff Porcaro recently disclosed that he played drums on the Cheap Trick song “Dream Police,” while Trickster Bun E. Carlos claims the credit. Similarly, Toto guitarist Steve Lukather handled the solos on “Voices”. Anonymity was paid for quite handsomely by CBS.”