ALLENTOWN, Pa. — With the release of its 1978 album "Heaven Tonight" and its hit "Surrender," new wave rockers Cheap Trick went from a supporting act to a headliner.
Cheap Trick again will go from a supporting act to headliner for a show at this year's Allentown Fair grandstand. But instead of a new album, it's because of another act's postponement.
Cheap Trick, which was to be the opener for a show by rock band Heart, was announced Friday as the replacement for Heart as grandstand opening-night headliner at 7 p.m. Aug. 28.
It will be joined for the show by another 1970s hit rock group — Blue Oyster Cult, best known for its 1976 hit "(Don't Fear) The Reaper."
Tickets, at $32 and $52, will go on sale at 10 a.m. Tuesday, July 23, at fair box office and on the fair website.
Heart on July 2 canceled its Allentown Fair show and the rest of its summer tour as singer Ann Wilson undergoes treatment for cancer.
Heart ticket holders are encouraged to hold on to their tickets, as they will be honored for the rescheduled date, or they can request a refund at the ticket point of purchase.
Allentown Fair runs Aug. 28-Sept. 2.
First headline Fair show in 46 years
Cheap Trick, which formed in 1974, is gearing up for its 50th anniversary.
It has sold more than 10 million albums in the United States alone.
Cheap Trick had its first hit with “Surrender” in 1978 and the follow-up hits “I Want You to Want Me,” “Dream Police” and “Ain’t That a Shame.”
Cheap Trick was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2016.Cheap Trick history
It was full of new wave imagery with guitarist Rick Nielson playing checkerboard designed guitars in a baseball cap with a flipped-up brim, long-haired singer Robin Zander wailing away and balding drummer Bun E. Carlos beating away with a cigarette dangling from his lip.
Starting with its 1977 platinum album “In Color,” the band produced five straight gold or platinum albums through 1982. Its 1979 album “Dream Police” went to No. 6.
But bassist Tom Petersson left the band in 1982, and Cheap Trick didn’t have another Top 40 hit or platinum album until he rejoined in 1988. Cheap Trick then had the platinum album “Lap of Luxury,” which included “The Flame” and “Don’t Be Cruel.”
Ten years after its breakthrough, Cheap Trick had its biggest hit with “The Flame” and another with a cover of Elvis Presley’s “Don’t Be Cruel.”
Its most recent album of new music was 2021’s “In Another World.”
The band was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2016.
Carlos no longer tours with Cheap Trick and has been replaced by Neilson’s son Dax playing drums.
Cheap Trick last played the Lehigh Valley in 2023 at Wind Creek Event Center in Bethlehem and also in 2019, and at Allentown’s PPL Center in 2018.
It also played Wind Creek, then called Sands Bethlehem Event Center, in 2015 and 2012, and at Allentown’s Airport Hall in 1991.
And it last was a headliner at Allentown Fair in 1978.
More than 50 years in a Cult
Blue Oyster Cult, in addition to “(Don’t Fear) The Reaper” had the hits “Burnin’ For You” and “Godzilla.”
The band released its self-titled debut disc in 1972, but first found success with its 1974 third album, "Secret Treaties," which sold gold. Fortune
Blue Oyster Cult had its biggest success with its 1976 fourth album, "Agents of Fortune," which included "(Don't Fear) The Reaper." That disc sold platinum and hit the Top 40 on the Albums chart.Blue Oyster Cult history
It had its biggest success with its 1976 fourth album, "Agents of Fortune," which included "(Don't Fear) The Reaper." That disc sold platinum and hit the Top 40 on the Albums chart.
It had two more gold albums with 1977's "Spectres" and its hit "Godzilla," and 1981's "Fire of an Unknown Origin" and its hit "Burnin' for You," which broke the Top 40.
Its most recent disc was "Ghost Stories," released in April.
It's scheduled to release a new live album, "50th Anniversary Live NYC — Second Night" on Aug. 9.
The group still has its original vocalist, Eric Bloom, and guitarist, Buck Dharma.
The band headlined Bethlehem's Musikfest in 2010. It also was scheduled to play Musikfest in 2002, but its set was canceled because of a lightning storm.
Blue Oyster Cult also played Allentown’s former Crocodile Rock Cafe in 2010.
Tickets also still are available for this year’s previously announced Allentown Fair headliners, Blippi: The Wonderful World Tour on Aug. 29,Brad Paisley on Aug. 30, Pentatonix on Aug. 31, Jeff Dunham on Sept. 1 and J&J Demolition Derby on Sept. 2.
