Robin Zander
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Robin Zander | ||
|---|---|---|
| Background information | ||
| Born | January 23, 1953 | |
| Genre(s) | rock | |
| Occupation(s) | musician | |
| Instrument(s) | vocals, guitar | |
| Associated acts |
Cheap Trick | |
Robin Zander (born January 23, 1953) is the lead singer and rhythm guitarist for the rock band Cheap Trick.
Zander had initially been offered the lead singing job for the band by drummer Bun E. Carlos, but was still under contract with one of the Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin resorts, where he sang and played cover songs, impressing audiences and critics with his ability to sound like any singer requested. It was during this time he was first referred to as "the man of a thousand voices". When the contract with the resort expired and Randy "Xeno" Hogan, the first singer, exited, Zander joined Cheap Trick as lead singer.
In 1983, Zander contributed a top 40 hit, writing "I Can't Take It". In 1993, Zander released a self-titled solo album.
One current trademark of Cheap Trick concerts is that guitarist Rick Nielsen intoduces Robin as his "favorite lead singer in the whole wide world".
On June 6, 2006, Cheap Trick released their new studio album Rockford on Cheap Trick Unlimited/Big3 Records. The first single from the album is "Perfect Stranger" (produced by Linda Perry and co-written by Cheap Trick and Perry).
[edit] Early Life
Robin is the fourth-born of five children, having two older brothers, Leonard and John, and older and younger sisters, Pamela and Shelly. His father was of Dutch-German ancestry, his mother Belgian, Welsh, and American Indian.
Robin's education commenced early in life, and exactly how he learned to read at age 3 still mystifies his mother. This capability offered Robin the opportunity to advance in school; however, feeling this might create social adjustment problems, his parents decided to keep him with children his own age.
Robin's father seems to have had a number of talents. He built and flew model airplanes, had his pilot's license, and was a member of the Civil Air Patrol. He is also said to have had a wonderful talent for music. Mrs. Zander has said that, upon hearing a song on the radio, Robin's father could sit down and play it on the piano.
By age 12, Robin had learned to play guitar. There was no question that he had his father's "ear" for music. At some time Robin was apparently tested for this musical acumen, as Mrs. Zander spoke of his "97% true ear". Once again his parents came to play a role in molding Robin's future. Such a gift was an obvious asset, but his parents also saw to it that Robin learned to read music, and with this added dimension he began to write it as well.
Robin played with his first group, "The Destinations", while in the seventh grade. The next year he was with "Butterscotch Sundays" playing summer festivals, and after that, "Robin and the Hoods". Harlem High found Robin continuing with his music, singing for three years in the Madrigals, the most demanding of the three choral groups at his school. He took a job at a local Beefaroo Sandwich Shop, a job he kept all through high school. He Played basketball and football.
This busy life was partly made possible by another of Robin's talents: an excellent student, graduating with honors, Class of 1971.
| Cheap Trick |
| Robin Zander | Rick Nielsen | Tom Petersson | Bun E. Carlos |
| Randy "Xeno" Hogan | Pete Comita | Jon Brant |
| Discography |
|---|
| Studio albums: Cheap Trick | In Color | Heaven Tonight | Dream Police | All Shook Up | Found All The Parts | One on One | Next Position Please | Standing on the Edge | The Doctor | Lap of Luxury | Busted | Woke Up With A Monster | Cheap Trick (1997) | Special One | Rockford |
| Live albums: At Budokan | Music for Hangovers | Silver |
| Compilations/Box Sets: The Greatest Hits | Sex, America, Cheap Trick | Authorized Greatest Hits | The Essential Cheap Trick |
