DATE: Saturday, June 28, 1997               TAG: 9706280352

SECTION: LOCAL                   PAGE: B3   EDITION: FINAL 

TYPE: CONCERT REVIEW 

SOURCE: BY JEFF MAISEY, CORRESPONDENT 

DATELINE: VIRGINIA BEACH                    LENGTH:   49 lines

CHEAP TRICK AND ZZ TOP HOLD NOTHING BACK FROM THEIR FANS

So you say you like a big guitar sound?

Hope you were at the GTE Virginia Beach Amphitheater Friday night, because Cheap Trick and ZZ Top held nothing back in their deliveries of rock-steady music.

After a remarkable studio comeback, Cheap Trick applied the same thrilling rock powerage to its live show. Opening with the classic, ``I Want You to Want Me,'' Cheap Trick served notice that its pop-rock is as fresh as ever.

The colorful quartet wasted no time acquainting the audience with new material like ``Anytime'' and the Beatles-influenced ``Carnival Game.''

Sporting a plaid jacket, vocalist Robin Zander belted out with feeling the strong passion of ``If You Want My Love.'' Flicking picks non-stop, guitarist extraordinaire Rick Nielson entertained the audience with his silly antics and extensive collection of oddly shaped guitars, including the one that looks like him.

The expanding lushness of ``Heaven Tonight'' was an enchanting ballad live. ``Surrender'' had Nielson playing a five-necked guitar. The intensity in Zander's voice was truly authentic.

Cheap Trick's compact set could have lasted a little longer.

ZZ Top roared onstage, with Billy Gibbons and Dusty Hill entering from one of the two grass huts on the set. Long, long white beards, hats and dark sunglasses were the fad of the suit-wearing guitar and bass twosome.

The Texas trio, including drummer Frank Beard, started off with the blues-rocking ``Under Pressure.'' Bassist Hill kept the bottom end vibrating heavily while Gibbons hammered down his guitar lines and sang with effortless precision.

Dusty Hill shouted out loud on ``Party of the Patio,'' giving Gibbons time to focus on his guitar work.

His monstrous solos shone brightly on the haunting ``Vincent Price Blues,'' a tune from their most recent ``Rhythmeen'' album.

Its title track was heavy and rhythmic like the early ZZ Top material. Continuing with new songs, ``Bang Bang'' rocked hard and kept the audience waiting for its favorite radio hits.

``Cheap Sunglasses'' was the first big pleaser. The unveiling of ``Legs'' introduced the crowd to an action-packed set of hits. ILLUSTRATION: BETH BERGMAN/The Virginian-Pilot

ZZ Top featured bearded Billy Gibbons and Dusty Hill along with

drummer Frank Beard at the GTE Virginia Beach Amphitheater. The

Texas trio started off with the blues-rocking ``Under Pressure.''

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