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I’m getting kinda tingly about this, for some reason * Updated x2 *

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As I told you yesterday, Cheap Trick is coming to the Statehouse today. Actually, it may just be frontman Rick Nielsen…

The Illinois Senate will honor Cheap Trick today. Sen. Dave Syverson, R-Rockford, said he plans to introduce a resolution recognizing the Rockford-based band’s accomplishments as musicians and its charity work. […]

Syverson confirmed that guitarist Rick Nielsen will be in attendance today in the Senate chambers, but he didn’t know about drummer Bun E. Carlos, bassist Tom Petersson and vocalist Robin Zander.

Tentative plans for the rock-star visit to the Capitol include meeting legislative leadership and members, and even a possible encounter with Rod Blagojevich, if the governor is in town, Syverson said.

The leaders meeting is scheduled for 2:30 this afternoon. So far, the only scheduled state flight that I can find so far is from Midway to Springfield. The guv prefers O’Hare, but occasionally uses Midway. According to FlightWare.com, the flight left at 9:02 this morning and is scheduled to arrive at 9:55. If that is the governor’s plane, then he may actually show up in time to have his photo taken with Nielsen. Then again, maybe it isn’t him and he’ll just show up later today.

At last check, Syverson hadn’t filed his resolution yet, but when it is filed it will be posted here.

*** UPDATE 1 *** Nielsen (we’re still waiting word on the others) will be on the Senate floor at 11:30 this morning.

Also, that flight above may have just been the regular shuttle. The same plane is heading back north again.

*** UPDATE 2 *** Syverson’s resolution can be downloaded here.

Imagine what we’re doin’ tonight
You really got me goin’ tonight
Imagine what we’re doin’ tonight
I’m crazy for some action tonight

posted by Rich Miller
Tuesday, Jun 19, 07 @ 9:17 am

Comments

Why do I suspect if Rod gets to hang with Cheep Trick he will ask them to do their Don’t be Cruel cover…

Comment by OneManBlog Tuesday, Jun 19, 07 @ 9:27 am
All of this information taken together can mean only one thing.

Nielsen will back the guv as Blago croons “I Want You to Want Me” at the leadership meeting this afternoon.

Comment by Dooley Dudright Tuesday, Jun 19, 07 @ 9:32 am
Nielson is a great ambassador for his hometown, maybe if the State were nicer to Rockford, he might even be a great ambassador for the State.

Governor, sign the Rockford sales tax bill SB1395.

Comment by Rockford fan Tuesday, Jun 19, 07 @ 9:33 am
Rich -

I’m just curious how many other bands are from Illinois. I know Buddy Guy, Chicago, Styx, Bread, Jonathan Cain (the keyboard player from Journey) are all from Illinois. Augustana went to Greenville college. How many other big names did I miss?

Comment by Beerman Tuesday, Jun 19, 07 @ 9:41 am
REO Speedwagon, Head East, and Uncle Tupelo (and their progeny) come to mind, all with Belleville connections.

Bob Heil, inventer of the talkbox and soundman to the Gods is from Marissa. Anybody who’s been to a rock concert with good sound owes him a debt of gratitude, since he was the first one to pull that off. He has (or had) an exhibit in the R&R hall of fame, but as I understand can’t get inducted since he isn’t a musician.

Myself, I’ve been thinking about the connection between “Cheap Trick Day” and getting the budget “balanced” for one more year. . .

Comment by to Beerman Tuesday, Jun 19, 07 @ 9:49 am
Rod Blagojevich would not have a clue who thee people are.

Comment by Lula May Tuesday, Jun 19, 07 @ 10:01 am
My brother-in-law went to school with REO’s lead singer in Peoria, so they also have a connection there.

Comment by Nickname Tuesday, Jun 19, 07 @ 10:06 am
Oh yeah, and Michael McDonald, lead singer for the Doobie Brothers, after they ceased being fun, is from Collinsville, I think.

Comment by to Beerman Tuesday, Jun 19, 07 @ 10:12 am
Hey Rich-
Did you see that the City of Rockford honored the band by putting their album cover on city stickers this year?
http://cheaptrick.shop.musictoday.com/Dept.aspx?cp=10_1712

Maybe Neilson is in town to ask for commemorative plates, too. I’d get one!

Comment by Elo Kiddies Tuesday, Jun 19, 07 @ 10:14 am
I used to know the guys in Cheap Trick pretty well when they worked the bar circuit years ago. They brought in the crowd and really moved the beer. Decent guys who took their job very seriously, liked what they did, and worked hard. Congrats to them. “Hello there ladies and gentlemen, hello there ladies and gents…..”

Comment by zatoichi Tuesday, Jun 19, 07 @ 10:14 am
Could someone ask the Cheap Trick guys to get the elected pols off their butts on the rate relief before I have to start turning tricks cheap? lol Love the band.

Comment by Belle Tuesday, Jun 19, 07 @ 10:20 am
I should think the senate would be working exclusivly on the budget but what do I know. Only fitting they be honoring Cheap Trick since they are very familiar with the concept of cheap tricks.

Comment by Milorad Tuesday, Jun 19, 07 @ 10:20 am
Nick 10:06:

It was probably Gary Richrath, REO’s former lead guitarist who was from Peoria rather than Kevin Cronin, REO’s lead singer. One of my co-workers was in a band with Cronin in high school…they were from the southwest side of Chicago. Cronin didn’t join the band until they were already well-established with one album already out.

Comment by Six Degrees of Separation Tuesday, Jun 19, 07 @ 10:21 am
Don’t forget Smashing Pumpkins, Fall Out Boy, Kanye West, Twista and Chevelle.

It’s great that this is Syverson’s priority. The state doesn’t have a budget so let’s bring in Cheap Trick to make sure nothing gets done.

Great job, Dave!

Comment by Dieter Tuesday, Jun 19, 07 @ 10:21 am
Sarge (honored in Rolling Stone in ‘98, I think), the Reputation, Pine Valley Cosmonauts, Wilco, Kelly Hogan, Neko Case (I’m not sure about her), many others

Comment by steve schnorf Tuesday, Jun 19, 07 @ 10:22 am
I also forgot to mention Gretchen Wilson. She’s from Pocahontas, Illinois. Wherever that is.

Comment by Beerman Tuesday, Jun 19, 07 @ 10:23 am
Cheap Trick’s “Stop This Game” would be an excruciatingly appropriate theme for this ridiculous OT session. “I can’t stop the music, I could stop it before / now I don’t wanna hear it, don’t wanna hear it no more.” Love that band and loved regularly running into its members (in the grocery store, movie theaters, etc) when I lived in Rockford. They’re regular guys.

Comment by Cap'n Crud Tuesday, Jun 19, 07 @ 10:45 am
Zatoichi,

Rick N is part owner of the pizza joint “Piece” in Wicker Park. My brother spends way too much time there and informs me that Rick is still very much a man of the people and a hell of a nice guy.

– SCAM

Comment by so-called "Austin Mayor" Tuesday, Jun 19, 07 @ 10:46 am
With regard to Pine Valley Cosmonauts, Kelly Hogan and Neko Case, I don’t think that any of those fine Bloodshot artists are from Illinois, although they all have made their base in Chicago at one point or another.

And I think that Neko may moved elsewhere due to Chicago’s housing costs, but her nomadic lifestyle may not lend itself to a “home”, as such. http://tinyurl.com/2jprmb

– SCAM

Comment by so-called "Austin Mayor" Tuesday, Jun 19, 07 @ 11:04 am
Shawn Colvin — Carbondale and SIU

Comment by anon Tuesday, Jun 19, 07 @ 11:05 am
Cheap Trick!

Via Capitol Fax, Cheap Trick is in Springfield today! FYI, they’re playing a free show at the Taste of Chicago this year. Here’s my favorite Cheap Trick song that also served as my unnoficial campaign song….

Trackback by Where there's a Will, there's a way Tuesday, Jun 19, 07 @ 11:10 am
Beerman: How is Bread from Illinois?

Comment by David Gates Tuesday, Jun 19, 07 @ 11:29 am
“Roddy’s alright, Emil’s alright.
They just seem a little wierd!
Surrender. Surrender. But don’t give the state away!”

And let’s not forget about Alison Krauss.

Comment by S. Illinois Tuesday, Jun 19, 07 @ 12:08 pm
Dan Fogelberg is from Peoria.
I date myself, eh?

Comment by Roddy Tuesday, Jun 19, 07 @ 12:21 pm
Artist: Dan Fogelberg
Album: Souvenirs
Title: Illinois

Dusty day dawning
Three hours late
Open the curtains
And let the rest wait.
My mind goes running
Three thousand miles east
I may miss the harvest
But I won’t miss the feast.

Chorus
And it looks like you’re gonna
Have to see me again
And it looks like you’re gonna
Have to see me again
And it looks like you’re gonna
Have to see me again.
Illinois…oh, Illinois.

South California
Your sun is too cold
It looks like your hills
Have been raped of their gold.
I should have come out
When I was first told
This lamb has got to
Return to the fold.

Chorus
Illinois-I’m your boy.

Flat on the prairies
Soil and stone
Stretching forever
Taking me home
‘Cause I’ve got a woman
Who waits for me there
And I need a breath of that
Sweet country air.

Chorus
Illinois-I’m your boy.

Comment by Roddy Tuesday, Jun 19, 07 @ 12:23 pm
Love the lyrics S Illinois! Isn’t Jackson Brown from Illinois?

Comment by Belle Tuesday, Jun 19, 07 @ 12:36 pm
Rich, I think Rod took a different plane. http://flightaware.com/live/flight/IDT99

IDT99 flew in this morning from OHare.

Comment by play by play Tuesday, Jun 19, 07 @ 12:51 pm
Nice to see Syverson bringing something other than Alan Keyes to Illinois.

Comment by Toad Tuesday, Jun 19, 07 @ 1:13 pm
Liz Phair and Ted Nugent - Illinois natives

Comment by Just the Facts Tuesday, Jun 19, 07 @ 1:14 pm
Play by play- It probably is the gov, the plane is late on departure!

Comment by Leigh Tuesday, Jun 19, 07 @ 1:18 pm
So this is morphing into an “Illinois music stars” open thread?

Okay.

Jerry Hadley. Dawn Upshaw. Nathan Gunn.

(I move in different realms.)

Comment by Dooley Dudright Tuesday, Jun 19, 07 @ 1:28 pm
Liz Phair
Nils Lofgren - Guitarist for Springsteen’s E-Street Band
The Cryan’ Shames
Buckinghams
Ides of March
Jim Petrik of Survivor
Michael Stipe - Not from Illinois but played in punk bands at SIU in late 70’s before going to UGA and joining REM
Eddie Vedder - Pearl Jam
Tom Morello - Rage Against The Machine
Veruca Salt

Comment by Busman Tuesday, Jun 19, 07 @ 1:56 pm
David -

Oops! You are absolutely correct! - Sorry about that! Bread actually formed in LA. My Dad went to school with Jimmy Griffin but that was in Memphis.

Comment by Beerman Tuesday, Jun 19, 07 @ 2:22 pm
Did Rick Neilsen throw guitar picks to the Senate floor???

Comment by 312 Tuesday, Jun 19, 07 @ 2:28 pm
The greatest of them all: the late Sunny Norman, live at the Rose Bowl in Urbana every weekend with his Driftin’ Playboys.

Comment by snidely whiplash Tuesday, Jun 19, 07 @ 2:28 pm
I can’t believe no one said Morris Day of the Time. He was born in Springfield!

Remember Jungle Love and the Bird?

Comment by WTF! Tuesday, Jun 19, 07 @ 2:44 pm
Snidely, that’a a home run, and we ought to add the Sundowners, live at the Double R Bar

Comment by steve schnorf Tuesday, Jun 19, 07 @ 3:06 pm
featuring Joel Daly on vocals!

Comment by Bill Tuesday, Jun 19, 07 @ 3:48 pm
Bingo!!

Comment by steve schnorf Tuesday, Jun 19, 07 @ 3:53 pm
How ’bout Champaign?

“How ‘Bout Us” 1981

Comment by This Guy Tuesday, Jun 19, 07 @ 4:22 pm
Beerman: Then you probably know Jimmy Griffin died recently, sorry to say. Busman: How could you leave out The Shadows of Knight? I am also surprised that no Downstaters have mentioned Pork and the Havana Ducks yet.

Comment by Got My Mojo Workin' Tuesday, Jun 19, 07 @ 4:55 pm
LOL…guess no one wants to claim R. Kelly as one of ours.

Comment by Anonymous ZZZ Tuesday, Jun 19, 07 @ 5:22 pm
Timothy P and RR3. Kenny Carlisle and the Cadillac Cowboys

Comment by steve schnorf Tuesday, Jun 19, 07 @ 5:57 pm
And, if you’re from cental Illinois, Preston Jackson and the Rhythm Aces, and Jim Easter and the Artistics

Comment by steve schnorf Tuesday, Jun 19, 07 @ 7:09 pm
I think we should honor Ted Nugent at the Capitol if the budget and rate problems are not resolved. Maybe his support of hunting and all things gun will put the fear of God in this lazy and incompetent bunch.

Comment by Disgusted Tuesday, Jun 19, 07 @ 8:36 pm
What about Dave Major and the Minors? Were they from Illinois or Wisconsin??

Comment by Peoria Pete Tuesday, Jun 19, 07 @ 10:19 pm