Cheap Trick rocks the Buckhead Theatre

ATLANTA,None — Classic rockers Cheap Trick thrilled the crowd at the Buckhead Theatre Wednesday night.

The band behind such hits as "I Want You To Want Me," "Surrender" and "The Flame" played a benefit show for the World Wildlife Fund and Coke's Arctic Home Holiday campaign. The campaign raises awareness and funds to create a safe haven for polar bears.

"We all live in this world, right?" lead singer Robin Zander noted. "We've got to keep it. Part of that is the polar bear and of course, any child within us will fall in love with that animal anyway. It's a wonderful organization and a great thing for Cheap Trick to do."

For each ticket sold, $15 was to be donated to the World Wildlife Fund. Coca-Cola is making a $2 million donation to the fund, too.

Cheap Trick has made a number of stops in Atlanta over the band's 35-year history. Guitarist Rick Nielsen told Nelson's News on wsbtv.com of one of his most memorable trips.

"I remember before chicken wings were real popular except in Buffalo, NY, I used to go to Taco Mac, a place here in town," Nielsen said. "Rob and I were down there one evening and I drank A through N of beer and I thought I might as well stop at N because my last name is Neilsen."

"And I had to take over," Zander noted.

"And he had to go from N to Z because (his last name) is Zander," Nielsen continued. "They were delicious. The wings were good, too."

Along with Zander and Nielsen, Tom Petersson and Bun E. Carlos are the primary members of Cheap Trick. Carlos no longer tours with the band. Nielsen's son Daxx has taken over in Carlos' absence on the drums.

Cheap Trick opened the show with "Hello There" and played 20 songs including "Don't Be Cruel," "I Want You To Want Me," "Surrender," and an Abbey Road medley.

The band will head to St. Petersburg, Fla., for a New Year's Eve gig. It's a Dream Police show which includes a full orchestra.

WSBTV