Cheap Trick Plans to Open Museum and Concert Venue in Chicago

Re-Viewed: Cheap Trick at Ravinia Cheap Trick is planning to open a museum and concert venue in an old Buick dealership on Motor Row in the South Loop, the Chicago Journal reports. The band also says they'll play a couple shows a year at the venue. There's no word on when construction will start.

The museum will feature Rick Nielsen’s large guitar collection and Bun E. Carlos’ drum collection, as well as 25 years worth of tour memorabilia, according to Luke Sauer, principal with Sierra, the company that’s coordinating the museum.

But the news has Rockford all shook up. They want Cheap Trick to want them, and the band told the Rockford Register Star they haven't ruled out their true hometown. Then again, Rockford is still waiting to see development on that restaurant Rick Nielson promised them back in 2007. Ain't that a shame.

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By Samantha Abernethy in Arts & Events on October 1, 2011 1:00 PM

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oonagh1

In the end, it's about exposure. I'm guessing that Cheap Trick does not have a large cult-like following that would bring visitors to Rockford. (I could be wrong about this. There could be a huge internet following of which I'm not aware.) Meanwhile, Chicago has a large tourist industry. So, while only the most die-hard fan would venture to Rockford for the musuem, the more casual fan and tourist would more likely seek out to the musuem in the South Loop.