In The Archives
- Mick Jagger and The Rolling Stones
- Ronnie Wood — The Rolling Stones
- Andrew Loog Oldham — The Rolling Stones
- Bill Wyman — The Rolling Stones
- Bev Bevan – ELO
- Ben Folds
- Clarence Clemons – The E Street band
- Crosby, Stills & Nash
- Darlene Love – The Phil Spector Christmas Album
- Dan Fogelberg
- David Crosby
- Dion
- Donovan
- Elton John
- Elvis Costello
- Eric Burdon – The Animals
- Flo & Eddie – The Turtles
- Grace Slick – Jefferson Airplane
- Graham Nash
- Gregg Allman – The Allman Brothers
- Jake Clemons – The E Street Band
- Jerry Garcia – The Grateful Dead
- John Fogerty – CCR
- John Lennon
- John Mellencamp
- Joni Mitchell
- Jorma Kaukonen – Hot Tuna
- Judy Collins
- Julian Lennon
- Justin Hayward – The Moody Blues
- Kenny Vance – Looking For An Echo
- LENNONYC
- Levon Helm – The Band
- Little Richard
- Meat Loaf
- Mel Brooks
- Nils Lofgren
- Patti Smith
- Paul Simon
- P.F. Sloan – Eve of Destruction
- Phish
- Pete Townshend – The Who
- Phoebe Snow
- Randy Bachman – BTO
- Ray Davies – The Kinks
- Richie Havens
- Rick Derringer – The McCoys
- Rick Nielsen – Cheap Trick
- Ringo Starr
- Robert Plant – Led Zeppelin
- Rock ‘N’ Roll Never Forgets
- Roger Daltrey – The Who
- Ronnie Lane – The Small Faces
- Ronnie Spector
- Rosko
- Scott Muni
- Sid Bernstein and The Beatles
- The Beatles Invade America
- Woodstock Remembered – The 50th Anniversary
- Zacherle
Dennis Elsas and Rick Nielsen
Rick Nielsen and Tom Petersson first recorded together in 1968 as the band Fuse with limited success. Returning to their home town of Rockford, Illinois in the early 70’s, they joined with drummer Bun E. Carlos and vocalist Robin Zander to form Cheap Trick. Their 1977 debut album was well received in the US, but in Japan they quickly became superstars. Capturing the energy and excitement of their live shows, the album At Budokan (released initially only in Japan in 1978, and in the USA in 1979), provided the spark for their American breakthrough.
Nearly thirty years later the original group is still recording, touring and supported by a loyal and enthusiastic fan base. The band is heard nightly around the world with the theme to TV’s The Colbert Report and That 70’s Show.
In this 1980 conversation with Rick Nielsen, we discuss the early days of opening for Kiss, their Japanese appeal, and several of their greatest hits.