rick nielsen

Rockford's favorite son brought midwestern grit to The Late Show with David Letterman last night. Rick Nielsen joined the Foo Fighters for a smoking version of "Stiff Competition" from Cheap Trick's third album Heaven Tonight (1978). It was also the B-side of the "California Man" single...

It's been a busy week on The Late Show with David Letterman this week.

He's one of rock's most distinctive axemen, but even when he isn't slinging riffs and peeling off licks, Cheap Trick's Rick Nielsen is a bona fide guitar hero.

Some songs are just perfect tunes. Songs that resonate so well that when you hear them for the first time, you already know it. "I Want You to Want Me" is one of those songs. Of course, so is "Surrender." Cheap Trick brought home the gold on this day in 1978 when the song was certified as such with sales topping 500,000...

During their 40 years as a band, Cheap Trick have been on the road more than they have been at home. And 2014 looks to be shaping up in much the same way.