When I saw this one come across the wire I got that uncomfortable pit in my stomach… A band that has provided so much of the soundtrack for my life was almost snuffed out in its entirety last night in Ottawa, Canada. Having pretty much perpetually toured over the last 35 years or so… Nielsen, Zander and company have to be seriously contemplating a break after living through this… Evidently one of their equipment semi’s parked behind the stage was what stopped the canopy from coming completely down on them leaving about a 5′ gap for everyone to crawl out safely. Other than a broken femur for the driver of the semi, thankfully that was the only injury in this entire mess…
Saw this too. The Sky looked angry alright. Too bad the driver was injured, wonder if it was his brake leg or gas pedal leg? Brush with RICK Nielsen story >> Went to School near Rockford IL. Lived there for years. Was a Cheap Trick fan and still have their FIRST Album sitting here looking at me. *YEAH I’m old, I have Montrose Vinyl too. Saw RICK and a friend at the TACO JOHNS in Rockford in the 80s. The one that used to be by East High School. “Hey Rick, How are you!?” I asked, Made sure to say hello to his friend too. I hate it when someone walks up that knows ME, but totally ignores my friend without acknowledging them. HE signs an autograph for me then says, “Enjoy your Taco” HA! ONE Week later at an OLD, SMALL Taco Johns store up in Loves Park, I walk in, THERE he is again. He turns and looks at me and does a double take. Ha, NO, I said, “I’m not following you Rick, I just love Taco JOHN more than the “BELL” and live a few blocks away from THIS Taco Johns.” He wipes his brow and goes….”whew!” Good guy and his son was a great Golfer. Wonder where Bun E Carlos eats? or SIB from Boston? Enjoying WWN on AM720 keep up the fun.
Thanks for the words Johnny.. I’ve also had my own life personally intertwine with Cheap Trick back in the late 90’s… They’ve been one of my Top 10 bands since their very first record in ‘77. I was glad to hear that everyone walked away from this one unhurt… lucky… it could have obviously been a much sadder story.
Thanks for posting and thanks for listening.