At Rick's Picks - a Rick Nielsen/Cheap Trick Exhibit, in Rockford, IL.
He stopped by as they were closing up, and I got this shot. I was literally speechless. For me, it's like meeting John Lennon or Ray Davies or Pete Townshend.
A bunch of his guitars, all of his classic sweaters, picks, pins, photos, and short documentaries about his life and music. It was almost like digging through his stuff, and he saved a lot. Early lyrics written on cocktail napkins. You could literally track the genesis of a song. For example, "So Good to See You" started as "I'm a Surprise" from this kernel of a lyric:
Home in one month
Couldn't feel better if I tried
Won't even write
It's better then I'll be a surprise
Nielsen presented himself as a nerdish cartoon character, in sharp contrast to the lead singer/heart throb Robin Zander. It was the ultimate display of unselfishness in a band. They each had their own individuality, and came together to make something great. And he has stayed true to his hometown of Rockford. If you're not a Cheap trick believer, pick up any of their first four albums, or start with At Budokan. Power pop melodies with riffs that are unforgettable. People that pass them off as a one hit wonder are missing so much.
But the thing that most impressed me was, while listening to his early demos at the exhibit, was a 1977 cassette recording he mailed to his kids while he was recording Cheap Trick's first album.
"OK, Aaron and Miles. When you come out to LA we're gonna go see KISS! And you're going to meet GENE SIMMONS! And it's going to be so fun! Aaron, I can't believe what big words you're using, you're such a big boy! We recorded ELO Kiddies today and it sounded great. Let's sing it together! ELO Kiddies ELO Kiddies! Come on Aaron! Whatcha gonna do when... Come on Miles! I can't hear ya!"
Not only a super genius as songwriter and guitar player, but also as a Dad.
