On This Day In METAL History – December 22nd… Happy Rockin’ Birthday, Rick Nielsen Of Cheap Trick!
Above: January 2014 issue of U.S. Rockstar Magazine.
On December 22nd, 1946, Rick Nielsen was born in Elmhurst, Illinois. Happy Rockin’ birthday, Rick! Whoa, yeah and Metal be thy name! Rick Nielsen is world-famous as the co-founder, guitarist, songwriter and backing vocalist for the amazing Cheap Trick. It’s no secret that the legendary Rick Nielsen has been an innovator and influence during his exemplary Rock ‘N Roll career. From the late John Lennon to Dave Grohl, with Mötley Crüe in between, Rick Nielsen has collaborated with the very best.
Above: December 1980 issue of Creem.
Why Rick Nielsen and Cheap Trick are not in the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame is bewildering to me. Regardless, this post is about celebrating the birthday and Rock ‘N Roll achievements of Rick Nielsen; so onward we venture! Below are several very cool facts about the Rock ‘N Roll career of Rick Nielsen and Cheap Trick. Enjoy! Whoa.
01 – Rick Nielsen and Cheap Trick bassist Tom Peterson both belonged to a band named Fuse, before Cheap Trick was formed. Fuse released an eight song album in 1970, via Epic Records. (See photo above).
02 – Cheap Trick have released 16 studio albums since 1977. Cheap Trick have also released 7 live albums and numerous compilations.
03 – Cheap Trick have been featured on 29 movie soundtracks.
04 – Cheap Trick have earned 40 Gold and Platinum recording awards.
Above: Rick Nielsen’s 1981 Hamer (original orange) Five Neck guitar that is now on display at Piece; which is Rick Nielsen’s restaurant in Chicago. Whoa, man, that’s cool!
05 – Rick Nielsen’s father, Ralph Nielsen, was a famous tenor that toured extensively and recorded 40 solo albums. Ralph Nielsen later opened a musical instrument store in Rockford, Illinois. Rick Nielsen moved to Rockford Illinois with his family, at 8 years old.
06 – Rick Nielsen is a self-taught musician who started off playing drums and later switched to guitar.
07 – Adding to Rick Nielsen’s iconic guitar playing and persona is his Hamer custom-made Five Neck guitar, as pictured above and below on the 1997 (self-titled) Cheap Trick album cover. Rick Nielsen owns 3 different Hamer Five Neck guitars.
Above: 1997 Cheap Trick (self-titled) album cover.
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Rick Nielsen/Cheap Trick facts sources:
LONG LIVE RICK NIELSEN.
LONG LIVE CHEAP TRICK.
Stone.
Metal Odyssey > Heavy Metal Music Blog 
December 23, 2014 at 9:21 pm
So sad they aren’t in the Hall, but could classic rock radio play some of their other hits besides I want you to want me.
December 24, 2014 at 11:09 am
Good point! LOL! It’s like the only STYX song Classic Rock FM radio plays is ‘Renegade’… LOL! \m/\m/