While Cheap Trick's original drummer hasn't been seen on the road with the band in a couple of years, he insists he's still very much a part of the band. So Bun E. Carlos was shocked when he wasn't included when his band was invited to record a song for the next 'A Very Special Christmas.'

Carlos talked to Billboard about the slight, explaining that no one has ever asked him to leave the band permanently. "Solely as an accommodation to some of the band members, I reluctantly agreed to take a temporary hiatus from touring," he says.

'A Very Special Christmas - 25 Years' will benefit the Special Olympics, a cause Carlos includes links to at his website. His lawyer tells Billboard that they may take legal action against his bandmates, saying "(I'm) looking after my interests in Cheap Trick and doing my best to make sure we stand for what is great about rock 'n' roll."

"The Special Olympics was as surprised by this as I was... they had no idea I wasn't on the record. And, I don't want them to lose an opportunity to support this great cause because of this."

In May Carlos talked about being isolated from Robin Zander, Tom Petersson and Rick Nielsen, who's son Daxx is the current drummer. He said he doesn't talk to his bandmates either, and doesn't think it's likely they'll record another album together. His primary roll these days seems to be archivist responsible for band bootlegs.

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