Cheap Trick’s ‘Homecoming’ Show Anniversary [VIDEO]

Rumor is that the power pop rock band Cheap Trick is from Rockford. I can't tell you how many people have shared their own Cheap Trick stories with me since I came to town thirteen years ago. I've met five girls who all swear they were Robin Zander's Prom Date at Guilford, six guys who claim to have taught Bun E. Carlos everything he knows about drums and countless folks who are "super tight" with Rick Nielsen, or Rick as his friends call him. From time to time I like to tell my own Cheap Trick stories, like the time we were all playing Jarts in Tom Peterson's backyard when someone got careless and tossed one straight up in the air. We spent an hour and a half digging that thing out of Bon Scott's skull. He just laughed it off. Fun times and you can't prove it didn't happen (unless you're actually a member of the band, but you're a rock star so how good can your memory be?).

Here is some great video of the band's Homecoming Show on July 4, 1979. They shared the stage that day/night with AC/DC, still fronted by the legendary Bon Scott.

The bonus of the footage is the remarks of former Mayor Robert McGaw who tries his best to look comfortable at a rock concert. Lifelong Rockford residents will enjoy seeing the Channel 23 news anchor Jerry Mayer read the story. Check out our friends at the Rockford Rocked Facebook page. They have some cool pictures from the event.