New Hard Rock Casino to Feature 62-Foot Replica of Cheap Trick Legend Rick Nielsen’s Guitar

The post New Hard Rock Casino to Feature 62-Foot Replica of Cheap Trick Legend Rick Nielsen’s Guitar appeared first on Consequence .

A new Hard Rock casino set to open in Rockford, Illinois, will honor hometown hero Rick Nielsen of Cheap Trick with a 62-foot replica of his Hamer Standard checkerboard guitar. The giant monument will sit outside the casino’s new permanent site, which will have a grand opening on August 29th.

After operating at a temporary location for a couple years, Hard Rock Casino Rockford will open its new state-of-the-art location at 7801 E. State Street, off I-90. It will feature 175,000 square feet of gaming and a 2,000-capacity performance venue.

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Nielsen was a big proponent of bringing a Hard Rock casino to Rockford, and the giant replica of his famous checkerboard Hamer Standard will be front-and-center right outside the entrance of the casino. All told, the monument measures 62 feet, 10-inches tall and 38 feet, 6-inches wide.

In addition to the guitar, the casino’s facade features the words “I Want You to Want Me” in honor of the classic Cheap Trick song.

The casino’s opening weekend will feature concerts by Akon, Joan Jett and the Blackhearts, and Brad Paisley. Cheap Trick, meanwhile, have tour dates scheduled from late August through early October, including shows opening for Def Leppard and Journey. Pick up tickets to their upcoming shows here .

See a full rendering of the Hard Rock Casino Rockford in the image below. If you’re interested in picking up a Hamer Standard or another Rick Nielsen guitar via Reverb, click here or here .

New Hard Rock Casino to Feature 62-Foot Replica of Cheap Trick Legend Rick Nielsen’s Guitar
Spencer Kaufman