As one who was present when power pop visionaries Cheap Trick could be seen playing taverns in an Illinois college townthree sets, that lineup, that look, those songs, $5 coverthe band and I go waaaay back. Having borne eyewitness to those days, I can tell you author Ross Warner did his homework in preparing American Standard. His vivid telling of the saga will make youll feel like you were there yourself. -- Cary Baker, author and music industry veteran American Standard. How appropriate. I was at the session where the cover for Heaven Tonight album was shot. It was a continuation of the graphic theme started with In Colortwo dreamy guys on the front, two characters on the back. Then I spotted the plumbing fixtures. American Standardtheyre everywhere in public restrooms. How appropriate for the band we all believed had no top end to their career trajectory. They were, to Epic staff, the American Standard. It was an observation that evolved into an inside joke, and now finds its way into print. And we were right. No record or group breaks itself. It takes a village. Rosss book tells this story. -- Jim Charne, Epic Records (197379) At Budokan still defines Cheap Trick for most of us. This excellent, insightful book puts that fact into context and allows the reader to understand why the live album was so defining and what came before and after. A wonderful, quirky biography of a wonderful, quirky band. As it should be. -- Alan Paul, New York Times bestselling author An exhaustively researched and endlessly entertaining look at one of Americas greatest rock bands. -- Tom Beaujour, co-author of New York Times bestseller Nothin' but a Good Time
