Poison and Cheap Trick may not seem like the most obvious pairing at first: One is the quintessential ’80s hair metal band, while the other is a ’70s arena-rock powerhouse. They may be products of different eras, but they possess the same impeccable pop instincts, the same knack for indelible hooks and massive choruses. Between them they’ve created some of rock’s most memorable anthems. Just try not to sing along with Poison’s “Nothin’ but a Good Time” or “Every Rose Has Its Thorn” or “Unskinny Bop,” or Cheap Trick’s “Dream Police” or “Surrender.” They’re pretty much impossible to resist.
Poison are products of the Hollywood Sunset Strip scene that birthed many of the biggest glam-rock bands of the ’80s, including Guns N’ Roses, Mötley Crüe and Ratt, while Cheap Trick hail from the considerably less raucous town of Rockford, Ill. But both have persevered through changing trends, band-member squabbles and shifting fan allegiances, emerging as hardened road warriors who can still inspire sing-alongs and raised lighters to their biggest hits. No matter the era or the style, the songwriting is what endures.
Hard Rock Hotel, 8 p.m. May 19, starting at $49 plus tax and fee. 888.929.7849 AXS
