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* I made sure I was around yesterday when Cheap Trick guitarist Rick Nielsen walked into the Statehouse.
Nielsen said he had heard about the Capitol Fax article I had written about his visit and the stuff I had posted here, which he jokingly referred to as “that slime blog.”
I told him that nobody appeared to understand the headline on a budget story yesterday entitled “Clock Strikes Ten,” a reference to the Cheap Trick song of the same name. He glanced at the headline on his copy of the Capitol Fax and deadpanned: “I don’t get it.”
* Aaron Chambers, of the Rockford Register-Star, had the best lede…
Rick Nielsen entered the Capitol like the rock star he is: A flashy man in a zebra-stripe jacket, trademark ball cap and dark sunglasses — but he had to remove his jewelry to clear a metal detector at the front door. Officially, Nielsen was there to commemorate a resolution introduced Tuesday by Sen. Dave Syverson, R-Rockford, to proclaim April 1 “Cheap Trick Day” in Illinois. But his appearance was more of a midday party for his fans.
The Cheap Trick guitarist and Rockford native was off with a bang. For the next two hours Tuesday, he shook Illinois government free from its traditional decorum with a never-ending stream of wisecracks about sex, drugs, rock ’n’ roll and criminal activity.
The 60-year-old rocker charmed state officials, lawmakers, legislative staff and bystanders during his first visit to the Capitol. He hugged most everybody who walked by and stood for photos with the hordes of people who lined up for a glimpse.
* But check out how the RR-Star and the State Journal-Register, both GateHouse papers, played the end of Chambers’ piece…
* SJ-R - On his way out of the Capitol, Nielsen stopped for a private meeting with Syverson in the senator’s office. When he emerged, he made a scene of coughing as if the two of them had just smoked reefer.
* RR-S - …When he emerged, he made a scene of coughing as if the two of them had been smoking … something illicit.
I asked him earlier whether drummer Bunn E. Carlos still smoked.
“Not cigarettes.”
Cigars?
“No.”
* Reporters did get in a few policy questions, but he dodged them pretty well…
Nielsen, who still lives in Rockford, was asked if he thought it’d be a good idea for Rockford to have a casino.
“Personally? I don’t gamble … except playing in the music business and that’s enough of a gamble. So I’ll leave it at that,” Nielsen said. “How’s that sound for a Springfield answer?”
He was also asked about the lack of a state budget.
“You know, I gave them the rest of the day off to figure the crap out, I can’t help that.”
* More on the visit…
The chamber, where senators must wear coats and ties on the Senate floor, waived the rules for Nielsen, who appeared in sort of a zebra-striped sport coat, a T-shirt, tennis shoes and, of course, sunglasses. […]
To the delight and applause of senators, Nielsen pulled off another patented stage trick: He dipped into his pockets and threw fistfuls of guitar picks at the senators and their staff — and even a few into a press box.
“I know that’s probably very, very bad to do, but I’m only here today,” Nielsen said. “So I don’t care.”
* Audio…
* Sen. Syverson & Nielsen addressing the full Senate (courtesy of Metro Networks)…
[audio:CTsenate.mp3] * Nielsen with reporters after the presentation…
[audio:CTafter.mp3]
* A few pics follow. The first one is Nielsen laying on the floor looking up at the Statehouse dome…
*** UPDATE *** I didn’t realize that I was on the front page of the State Journal-Register today…
posted by Rich Miller
Wednesday, Jun 20, 07 @ 9:08 am
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Cool, who needs a budget when there are aging rockers in the building!
Comment by Wumpus Wednesday, Jun 20, 07 @ 9:26 am
Yeah, I’m with Wumpus…just for the record, this publicity stunt did not play well in my area of the state.
I’m glad you all had fun, and I really don’t have a problem with it, but…just seems like the Senate should have real work to do (like, I don’t know, an ethics bill?)
What I want to know is, can Cheap Trick play the DuQuoin State Fair? Since the ‘headliner’ is Alice Cooper…and then a whole lot of mediocrity follows…maybe they can give something back!
Comment by So Ill Wednesday, Jun 20, 07 @ 9:33 am
“Nielsen was there to commemorate a resolution introduced Tuesday by Sen. Dave Syverson, R-Rockford, to proclaim April 1 “Cheap Trick Day” in Illinois.”
Cool! I am glad we have so much extra time in Springfield we can take up issue like this.
Next time we hear someone from Springfield whining how nothing is getting done, I am go to say “Surrender, surrender But don’t give yourself away, ay, ay, ay”
Comment by Leroy Wednesday, Jun 20, 07 @ 9:33 am
People, the rank and file has more than enough time to do stuff like this since the budget is in the hands of the leaders. The festivities were held before the Senate went into session, and well before the leaders meeting began.
Lighten up.
Comment by Rich Miller Wednesday, Jun 20, 07 @ 9:43 am
Great Cheap Trick experience:
Seeing Cheap Trick play the Old Saint Pat’s Block Party a few years ago. It was right out of “This Is Spinal Tap.”
They sure put on a great show though. Unlimited beer and Cheap Trick. $20 well spent.
Comment by Skeeter Wednesday, Jun 20, 07 @ 9:52 am
If you look at a legislator’s calendar, there are more meetings with student groups, constituents, resolutions honoring hometown heroes, etc. than you can shake a stick at. It’s all part of the job, and the Nielsen appearance is not so out of the ordinary, other than his non-traditional appearance.
BTW, if you own a copy of the Epic Records “Fuse” LP, you have got a real collector’s item. This was Rick Nielsen and Tom Petersson’s band prior to Cheap Trick, and Nielsen actually had hair.
This is one of my many Illinois Rock/Pop Trivia entries at Cap Fax, and probably won’t be my last. I still think Barry Manilow should make an appearance in the Kankakee area in honor of the late Little Corporal.
Comment by Six Degrees of Separation Wednesday, Jun 20, 07 @ 9:59 am
That’s right! All you complainers need a little perspective. After all, “What’s the rush”?
Comment by Mastermind Excello Wednesday, Jun 20, 07 @ 10:00 am
In the fourth picture: isn’t that the bass player from Savoy Brown with Nielsen?
Just gotta get a striped jacket like that for my neice’s wedding.
Comment by zatoichi Wednesday, Jun 20, 07 @ 10:10 am
Um, no.
Comment by Rich Miller Wednesday, Jun 20, 07 @ 10:21 am
The guy next to Nielsen in the 4th picture actually looks like the bass player from Canned Heat.
Comment by Six Degrees of Separation Wednesday, Jun 20, 07 @ 10:42 am
Best Capitol Fax entry ever! Also this will go down in history as my favorite thing Syverson’s done in office…unless getting Keyes to replace Jack! counts.
Comment by Boone Logan Square Wednesday, Jun 20, 07 @ 10:43 am
Great photo of Rick Neilsen and Rick Pearson.
Ha! How’s that for a Cheap Trick.
Comment by Mrs. Fisher's Chips Wednesday, Jun 20, 07 @ 10:47 am
The guy in the 4th picture really looks like the bass player in Vlasta’s Polka Band.
Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, Jun 20, 07 @ 10:47 am
Hey, I don’t doubt that this stuff happens constantly. It’s part of the job, especially with local boy scout troops and whatnot.
I’m just telling you how it LOOKS. Your average, rank and file viewer/reader/listener doesn’t see ‘leaders can’t agree’. They see ‘Congress is screwing around again’, and then they ask how much of their tax money lawmakers are getting paid to meet with rockstars. Because THIS is what is getting headlines right now.
Front page of the Southern Illinoisan, for example (not an editorial choice I agree with, but I’m just a subscriber).
I guarantee you a variation of this sentence has been uttered hundreds of times today: “They can’t get electric relief done, they can’t put a budget together, but they can meet with some singer?”
So…not an attack, just a reflection of the populace down here. And frankly, if the Governor had done it, we’d all have hammered him for not focusing on ‘the real issues’.
Comment by So Ill Wednesday, Jun 20, 07 @ 11:07 am
Is nielsen doing some kind of gang sign with the guy in the 4th picture?
I’m not sure what that sign means.
Does anyone have any guesses???
I’ll pose that question to the bloggers.
Comment by dupage progressive Wednesday, Jun 20, 07 @ 11:18 am
DP, he’s holding a guitar pick.
Comment by Rich Miller Wednesday, Jun 20, 07 @ 11:20 am
So when does REO Speedwagon get a day?
Also, the company that owns the SJ-R is GateHouse, not Gateway.
Comment by Anonymous Communist Wednesday, Jun 20, 07 @ 12:02 pm
You gotta love the amazing technicolor dream slippers. Do you think they are made from hemp?
Where’s Robin Zander?
Comment by Jake from Elwood Wednesday, Jun 20, 07 @ 12:21 pm
Perhaps we need more entertainment during the budget impasse? Maybe we should have a bucking bull contest between Blago, Madigan and Jones…using live bulls at the rodeo arena at the state fair grounds. We could place bets, drink beer or jack and coke, and watch the pols get bloodied by horns and hooves instead of words. The winner gets automatic approval for their own version of the budget and the winnings from the betting and entry fees would be required to go into the education fund. I’d pay $100 to go to such an event. Cheap Trick could play during the times the riders need medical help. Some Republicans may want to also enter, if the Republicans have bothered to write a budget.
Comment by i d Wednesday, Jun 20, 07 @ 12:59 pm
Notice how Syverson sticks like glue to his VIP?
It’s a problem he has. Did the same thing with Alan Keyes, only to say later that he had nothing to do with the campaign.
Hope the same thing doesn’t happen to Rick Nielsen!
Comment by Dieter Wednesday, Jun 20, 07 @ 4:15 pm
I know this doesn’t add to the discussion, but WOW! That is cool!
Comment by Freezeup Wednesday, Jun 20, 07 @ 4:32 pm
Uncharacteristically smooth and savvy on Syverson’s part.
Comment by winco Wednesday, Jun 20, 07 @ 8:00 pm
FWIW Cheap Trick is playing Taste of Chicago.
I was listening to them last week and struck by just how talented a band they are. But the career can only be described as uneven and the output doesn’t match the talent. Anyway the last album “Rockford” is really good.
Comment by HappyToaster Wednesday, Jun 20, 07 @ 8:38 pm
I’d ask when is ‘Bozo Day’ in Springfield, but it looks like that’s everyday. It’s no wonder this state is going to hell in a handbasket.
Comment by The 'Broken Heart' of Rogers Park Wednesday, Jun 20, 07 @ 9:48 pm
This was Rick’s 2nd appearance in spfld in the last couple of months. I saw an unmistakably-dressed character walking down 6th St. several weeks ago - I told him he looked like Rick Nielsen - “That’s because I am” he said matter-of-factly. He was at the Hoogland attending an event [not performing though - did one of his kids receive an award?]. “Live at Budokan” was the 1st album I ever purchased, I’ve seen them many times, the last time was in DuQuoin at the Fair 3 years ago. Agree with Rich, not much else for the legislature to do while the leaders get their act together - time to “Stop This Game”…
Comment by Come On, Come On Wednesday, Jun 20, 07 @ 10:04 pm
Great move on the part of Senator Syverson. And, a long overdue tribute to Cheap Trick. I have heard them perform since the mid 1970s and yes, I do have the Fuse album. Rick and the guys are really down-to-earth great folks, as are their children. Rockford is a great town full of wonderful people. Rockford Rocks!
Comment by Proud Rockfordian Thursday, Jun 21, 07 @ 1:30 am