Cheap Trick was founded in 1973 by Rockford Region natives Rick Nielsen, Tom Petersson, Bun E. Carlos, and Robin Zander. The band tours, writes, and records consistently, gained respect quickly, and became particularly popular in Japan, where its first three albums became gold records and it recorded its classic "Live at Budokan." Its hit songs, including "I Want You to Want Me," "Surrender," and "Dream Police," have been covered by countless artists, and music experts widely consider Cheap Trick one of the most influential bands in rock history. Germanicus Kent, a native of Connecticut, came to this area in 1834 to claim land on the banks of the Rock River. He was the first white settler to live permanently within the existing boundaries of Rockford, and his sawmill was its earliest business enterprise. After losing most of his money in the Financial Panic of 1837, he had surrendered his business interests in Rockford by 1844 and moved to Virginia.