UPDATE TO BELOW STORY....
The 62-foot-tall replica of Rick Nielsen’s Hamer checkerboard guitar has been installed outside the Hard Rock Casino Rockford in his hometown of Rockford, Illinois. The Cheap Trick guitarist, playing the real checkerboard, picked out a few licks at the official lighting ceremony early last Thursday morning. The casino opens on Thursday, and Nielsen and his family band, The Nielsen Trust, will be among the acts performing during the opening weekend.
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The 62-feet, 10-inches tall and 38-feet, six-inches wide replica of Rick Nielsen’s checkerboard guitar arrived at the new Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Rockford, Illinois where it will be permanently displayed outside. The Cheap Trick guitarist, a partner in bringing the casino to his hometown, was on hand for the arrival. The Hard Rock Rockford will open on August 29th, and Nielsen and his side band, The Nielsen Trust, will perform as part of the grand opening ceremony.
Check out his original post about it here from Rick's official Instagram.