Rick Nielsen is an American musician best known as the lead guitarist and primary songwriter for the rock band Cheap Trick. Born on December 22, 1946, in Rockford, Illinois, he co-founded the band in 1973. Nielsen is recognized for his distinctive guitar style and his energetic stage presence, often seen wearing his signature checkerboard-patterned clothing. Throughout his career, Nielsen has contributed to many of Cheap Trick's biggest hits, including "Surrender" and "I Want You to Want Me." The band gained fame in the late 1970s and has continued to influence rock music, earning a place in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2016.