A new Hard Rock casino opening in Rockford, Illinois, will pay tribute to local hero Rick Nielsen of Cheap Trick with a 62-foot replica of his Hamer Standard checkerboard guitar. The giant monument will be located outside the casino’s new permanent site, which will have a grand opening on August 29.
After operating in a temporary location for a couple of years, Hard Rock Casino Rockford will open its new state-of-the-art location at 7801 E. State Street, just off I-90. It will feature 175,000 square feet of gaming and a 2,000-seat performance space.
Nielsen was a big proponent of the idea of bringing a Hard Rock casino to Rockford, and the giant replica of his famous Hamer checkerboard banner will be at the center of the casino's entrance. In total, 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 song Cheap Trick.
The casino's opening weekend will feature concerts by Akon, Joan Jett and the Blackhearts, and Brad Paisley. Cheap Trick, meanwhile, has tour dates scheduled from late August through early October, including opening shows for Def Leppard and Journey. Get tickets for their upcoming shows here.
Check out a full rendering of the Hard Rock Casino Rockford in the image below. If you're interested in purchasing a Hamer Standard or another Rick Nielsen guitar through Reverb, click here or here.
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