Cheap Trick’s Rick Nielsen honoured with 62-foot sculpture of his iconic checkerboard guitar in Rockford, Illinois
A colossal 62-foot guitar sculpture honouring Cheap Trick guitarist Rick Nielsen is set to be unveiled in the band’s hometown of Rockford, Illinois.
This towering replica of Nielsen’s famed checkerboard Hamer Standard guitar – the musician’s go-to instrument for much of his career – will stand proudly at the entrance of the city’s new Hard Rock Casino which opens later this month (29 August).
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Nielsen’s tribute will also be accompanied by a “star-studded guitar smash” weekend celebration that will feature performances by Akon, Joan Jett and the Blackhearts, Brad Paisley and more.
In addition to the guitar, the casino’s exterior also showcases the phrase “I Want You to Want Me”, paying tribute to the beloved Cheap Trick classic.
Speaking to Guitar Player about his equally iconic five-neck Hamer custom axe in a previous interview, Nielsen explained how he came up with “such a backbreaking idea for an instrument” and the hard work that went into the guitar’s making.
“Building this monster was a bit of a chore,” he said. “I wanted a 12-string and a fretless, and one that sounded like a Stratocaster and one that sounded like a Junior. But Hamer, never to be daunted, managed to put all the ideas together and made it work.”
In the meantime, Cheap Trick are gearing up for an exciting fall season, with a busy tour schedule lined up from late August through early October. The band will hit the road for a series of performances, including shows where they’ll open for rock legends Def Leppard and Journey.
Check out the full list of dates at the band’s website.
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Source: www.guitar-bass.net
