Happy 75th birthday today to the lead guitarist, chief songwriter, and all-around colorful character Rick Nielsen. The Rock and Roll Hall of Famer helped perfect the band’s energetic power pop style that has influenced countless four-piece bands. Nielsen also is a guitar guru and loves to switch up his guitars live along with a couple of classic Les Pauls and the Jeff Beck Esquire, he employs a variety of Hamers: “Uncle Dick,” “Gonna Raise Hell,” the sparkly gold one, the square one with a cartoon drawing of the band, and others… Watch Cheap Trick live at Redding in 1979
