The entrance to the Hard Rock Casino in Rockford, Ill. will soon be adorned with a 62-foot-tall electric guitar. Since Hard Rock is a brand synonymous with outsized electric guitar signage, this may not be earth-shattering news, except that this guitar is also a nod to local pop culture history. Or should that be power pop? An artist’s rendering of the finished Hard Rock Rockford, complete with Rick Nielson’s checkerboard Hamer Standard on the frontage. (Image: Hard Rock International) The guitar is a replica of the distinctive checkerboard Hamer Standard played by Rick Nielsen, guitarist with local band and Rock and Roll Hall of Famers Cheap Trick. It will be installed later this month after having been approved by local zoning officials. All of the original members of Cheap Trick are Rockford natives, and Nielson was a great advocate for the Hard Rock brand to come to his hometown during… Read More

Category: Commercial Gaming, Live Casinos, Midwest, Regional News, Cheap Trick, checkerboard Hamer Standard, Hard Rock Rockford, Rick Nielsen 

Source: Land Casino & Gambling News (Casino Projects & Openings) – Casino.org