Cheap Trick's Rick Nielsen Joins Sammy Hagar in the Studio | Rock & Roll Road Trip

Sammy drops in with Cheap Trick’s guitar god Rick Nielsen in Chicago to talk rock history. He then heads to Denver, Colorado to play the iconic Red Rocks Amphitheatre with his band The Circle (Michael Anthony, Jason Bonham & Vic Johnson).
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#cheaptrick #sammyhagar #axstv #rockandrollroadtrip #chicago #denver #redrocks #ricknielsen

[@christophersmith8486]

Rick is a national treasure

[@tannerchiropractic6809]

I must have worn the grooves out of my Live at Budokan album by Cheap Trick as a kid. One of the best bands ever !! Now when I play their music, my kids think my wife and I "JUST SEEM A LITTLE WEIRD", but Mommy's Alright and Daddy's Alright !!

[@tim6128]

Me too. It might be the first album I ever spent my own money on. "Rolling numbers, rock and rolling...." I didn't find out until years later that 'numbers' is slang for doobies/joints, lol.

[@Shooter_FPV]

Don't forget to get your KISS records out... 🤘🤘

[@da_blade5040]

hahahaha Did the same thing 🤣 ❤️❤️❤️Cheap Trick!! and The Red Rocker!! 😁🎸💯🇺🇸

[@tannerchiropractic6809]

@@tim6128 And I thought it meant rolling dice !! :)

[@georgehuerta1990]

Hell yeah bro 🤘🏼

[@franram7426]

Michael Anthony ! ! ! Best back vocals of all time. Bass playing? You don't rock with EVH for 30 years and suck... no to mention Alex V.H. too. Michael Anthony is a BAD ASS ! ! ! Go listen to the "isolated bass and drums" of Romeo Delight...... DLR on albums, GREAT. DLR on stage, a complete KOOK. Sammy great at every aspect..... interviews, writing, playing, being a band mate, not doing too many drugs and dying.... The Red Rocker BEFORE Van Halen. Rick.... Late to the HOF where he BELONGS. Just putting Beck #1 was enough for me to move him up higher than I already had him.

[@sherryd3299]

The first cord on Surrender sounds a lot like the first cord of A Hard Days Night. I love both Rick and Sammy.

[@lMrFresno559l]

Its calleed the Beatles chord or A Hard days night cord. Rick has mentioned it before.

[@helder6175]

Two great Rockers. Love that Sammy is wearing a Pink Floyd t-shirt.

[@chrismyers9273]

Sammy, you are as genuine as a rock star can be! Seen cheap trick recently! Love those guys! Great interview buddy!

[@valuedhumanoid6574]

Sammy holds a spot in my life that is hard to explain. Growing up in a rural Indiana town I basically had the pop music on the radio and that was it. My uncle, my dad's youngest brother and I were tight. He was a head banging rocker and he would let me borrow his albums when he got new ones. He wanted to take me to my first concert in 1982, Sammy Hagar's Standing Hampton tour that came through Market Square Arena in Indianapolis. But the concert was on a Sunday and my mom said no, not on a school night. I begged my dad and he agreed to let me go. I can remember every detail of that concert. Just the size of MSA was mind numbing to a kid who's biggest building was the high school gym I ever been in. And Sammy of course delivered the goods on stage. It was the start of my musical life. I got a guitar and amp and Sammy was my guitar teacher. Been with him every since.

[@FlerfDestroyer]

So jealous. I'm in Australia and Sammy hasnt been here in years. I'd love just once to see him live

[@stevefischer5955]

I remember market square arena First concert was testament and priest

[@georgehuerta1990]

👌👍🏼🤘🏼

[@ZYVZX]

Classic story. Glad you picked up that Axe!

[@bigiron8831]

Growing up in Rockford Illinois I've been rocking out with Rick since the days of The Fuse......✌

[@theloniouscoltrane3778]

Cheap Trick should be more famous than other famous bands. Legend!

[@mikeshanermusic]

The Circle KILLED THAT!!!!!!! 👍

[@RobertSmith-lw2bx]

Ya they did. One of my favorite songs he does. When I was a kid Heavy Metal came out and we loved that movie. Pretty great sound track.

[@gorgeouscolor6919]

That Surrender chord has a very Beatles feel, right? And this is so amazing to watch. First time I saw Cheap Trick was at the Whiskey, their first appearance in the late 70s. Last time was a small fairground show in California, and was lucky to sit on a folding chair on the side/back stage. Rick was still as entertaining as hell, and kept running over and throwing guitar picks at me on the side of the stage. I don't know if his musicianship and songwriting is underrated, or I just like them way too much. Excellent interview!

[@DavidH-D]

Hard Day’s Night

[@gorgeouscolor6919]

@@DavidH-D Exactly. Love it.

[@eelliott74]

Nielsen is criminally underrated as a songwriter.

[@CaptainCraigKWMRZ]

Surrender is all about modulation.

[@RogerHurlburt-ym7wi]

My brother told me they were a cheap trick of the Beatles. They are my Beatles!

[@ME-qr2kq]

I saw Cheap Trick play while I was in Boot Camp in San Diego 1984. Much needed break from the every day grind of getting yelled at lol. Thank You for Your Service guys.

[@lancevanderheyden9973]

I went to same high school as them but yrs later saw them early and later both times great live band. My brother lives a mile from Rick in Rockford they belong to same club and sees him on occasion just a normal guy!

[@GySgt_USMC_Ret.]

I saw them at a USO show in Okinawa. Rick gave me some picks and a stage towel.

[@sjs1555]

If you were in Marine Corps boot camp, as a recruit I assume, how did you get out to see the concert? As memory serves, MCRD wouldn’t let recruits leave during training.

[@ME-qr2kq]

@@sjs1555 I was in the Navy, the Concert was held in the field between Naval Training Center and MCRD here in San Diego. We all marched to the concert nobody left Base.

[@hochunk4609]

Ricks family lived across the street from me in the 70s. My mom use to call the police on Cheap trick for making to much noise when they practiced in Ricks garage. I believe Rick still lives in that sheet hole of Rockford Illinois.

[@mkalic]

OMG, there's so much autoune they sound like chipmunks on Surrender...

[@dynjarren8355]

This is great! Two veteran Rockers who have a lifetime of experience as Rock stars and stories about the road and music! I like how good they relate to each other and try to outdo each other with their jokes! The best and most amusing interview yet! And Hagar has done plenty of good ones. I love getting new insights into their lives. I always learn something new I didn’t know about them before. Which is personal and brings me closer to these musicians that I admire from afar. Thanks Sammy for doing this great musical podcast. I think this is a great series of interviews! Hagar can talk to and relate to anyone and can talk about any subject well. Who knew he was that good as an interviewer? He’s so smart with a lifetime of experience to draw upon. Thanks Sammy! 👏🏻🤟🏻 And Thanks KZbin! 👏🏻🎸😎🤟🏻

[@kristianhjorth2402]

Rick Nielsen is so much more than just a guitarplayer. One of the coolest, funniest and best songwriters in the rockbusiness.

[@bobbyboykin7137]

Was a senior in HS when Heavy Metal came out, damn that brings back memories. Different world back then. Like has been said many times in the comments here, The Circle killed it on that one. Whew.

[@Busk_N_Groove]

Amen to that. Talk about firing on all cylinders. Incredible groove & tight as.

[@AllSpace]

I think Sammy might have met his match...haha cheap trick, triumph...etc

[@denisemoorman3311]

Well, Zander has no worry about job security. Looking forward to seeing Sammy with George Thorogood in August!

[@eelliott74]

Sammy learning how hard Zander is to sing! But these are two of my favorite rock personalities. So fun to watch!

[@shawnhuff3920]

Rick is awesome 👌I like a lot of his work cheap trick has some great songs 🎵

[@anthonydecesare2054]

Then I woke up, Mom and Dad Are rolling on the couch Rolling numbers, rock and rollin' Got my KISS records out One of the greatest lines in Rock & Roll

[@brianbirc]

Both great I am a fan of. I loved playing in bands with a rull stack with a RG RANDAL HEAD AD LES PAUL (THE PAUL)IN D.A.M.MDrunks Against MadMothers LOL just a Punk band playing KEG parties in HS

[@marvinshenk]

Sammy Hagar at 70 rocks harder than most other performers. DIO was the same way. When you go to their show, you get their full potential.

[@PW1316]

“The flame,” was the high school dancing song in my day.They don’t make them like these 2 anymore

[@jayannakelley9051]

Hum..Beatles or Stones? I choose Led Zeppelin every time!

[@tamathawalden2037]

BEATLE'S

[@lindabailey7668]

I Love Cheap Trick! ❤️ Ricky Neilson The Flame, Surrender, I Want You To Want Me, Light Up The Fire! Nice to see them together singing Surrender and I Want You To Want Me 💥❤️Why that Sunburst Gibson Sammy’s playing looks nice! Also isn’t that a gorgeous Red Guitar Sammy’s playing In The Circle?! ❤️ Great voice still screaming and ripping it good! Bad Ass Red ❤️😜 on another note, I am hoping to see Sammy play that gorgeous Billy Gibbons Red SG Les Paul with all that brushed gold hardware. That’s one sexy guitar for the Red Rocker! 😍😊

[@tamathawalden2037]

🤟🤟🤟

[@randydogs61]

Play it until you cant, then play it one last time, It is worth it.

[@PGeorge61]

So cool to see these old guys out there still active. Haven't caught CP lately...but , The Circle...Damn!! Freakn nailed Heavy Metal!! I was a teen during the 70's, and my 20's(obviously), in the 80's. Theses guys are heros of mine.

[@stevensiegel1426]

One of the most underrated and under appreciated guitarists of all time. Rick Nielsen's playing has subliminally influenced more guitarists than you can count and he still doesn't take him self seriously at all.

[@davidstanfield9382]

I saw Cheap Trick, in Wichita, KS. back on the Dream Polce tour. Still love their music. Rick, is still one of my favorite musicians.

[@katherinemartin4426]

You guys are so much fun tolisten to & watch! I just love the part of your show when you ask the artist tuff questions! Like which did he like better Beatles or the Stones? Those would be difficult to choose one over the other! Great song at the end of this video!👏💯🌟❤️👋

[@WolfmanJack66]

Awesome. Never had the pleasure of seeing the Red Rocker. Maybe sometime soon.

[@bige311]

I saw Cheap Trick live back in 1991 man they rocked! Thanks for sharing, much appreciated!

[@apolinarsaldivar7278]

I Second that Emotion, Saw Cheap Trick in Concert at the Houston Astradome in 89, Kicked Ass!

[@apolinarsaldivar7278]

.

[@rclamb04]

You forget how good Robin is until you cover a Cheap Trick tune!

[@tamathawalden2037]

One of Rocks Greatest singers Ever ! 🤟

[@bartonpercival3216]

And no one ever talks about Robins guitar playing. He's a very accomplished guitar player, especially on an acoustic guitar

[@revsstuff1320]

Great interview! I notice Sam asks the "Hagar or Roth" often in these interviews. Sammy, VH with Roth was a completely different VH than the VH with you in it. Both were great and completely different in their own ways. Keep rockin, dude!

[@tamathawalden2037]

Roth in VH and Sammy as a Solo artist

[@gregggoss2210]

@@tamathawalden2037, agreed 👍.

[@carlmorgan2227]

One of the best live shows ever!!

[@fatseaturtle]

Shoutout Jeff Beck as the OG. Rick Nielsen is a hoot!

[@SuperGuitarDude7]

Cheap Trick Live at Budokan is one kickass album!

[@yourdrummer2034]

2nd half of the video Jason Bonham knows for live rock performance acrylic shells are 2nd to none! Sammy, Vic, Mike and Jason tear it UP!! 🔥🤘

[@jerzeyguy71]

Saw Cheap Trick once in a six flags amusement park in new Jersey, either 89 or 90 or 91, three buddies and I bought the family four pack season pass. we just showed up for concert, road one coaster went home. Rick was throwing so many picks into the audience through out the concert, I think one time he even just did a handful! and a nice encore song after the interview..

[@jmad627]

I saw,them at the Montclair State College gym in, I think, 88. Great show

[@keithmeyer3438]

I was fortunate enough to see Sammy Haggar a couple of times, I was at a clasic rock fest & when Sammy was due to take the stage, it started to rain very heavy & of course lighting & thunder in the distance, the festival organizer took the stage & said due to the lighting Sammy would be canceled, the crowed was like what, we could see Sammy in the back of the stage talking with organizers & took the mic & said I have good news & bad news, the good news was I came here tonight to play & that's what I'm going to do, the bad news was with the lighting rule I will be playing in-doors on the festival property, what a show Sammy put on that night, he even played an extra half hour, just a great musician & like he said a really great showman, Thanks Sammy Haggar for a really great concert that I will never forget........

[@akrocuba]

GREAT!!!! Not dissing Sammy at all, but he's no Robin Zander....LOL Down to earth guys. Funny and just having fun!👍👍👍👍✌✌ SPOILER ALERT.....GREAT JAM AT THE END OF THE INTERVIEW!!👍👍👍👍👍

[@p1nesap]

Towards the end of this interview got fun.

[@sbrown6434]

Live at Budekon (sp?) I Want You To Want Me. Greatest song ever with greatest drum intro ever.

[@phinsxiii]

Heavy Metal was my first Sammy song and still my favorite. Great rendition by The Circle!

[@The_SonarMen]

Why use past tense to mention Robin's amazing vocal range and abilities ? I saw Cheap Trick live only a couple of years ago and was amazed to hear Robin's voice. Sounded better tha ever !

[@Wigglewonks]

Here’s something to blow your mind. Sammy is 74 years old. This is not a joke.

[@elianad2083]

We know..

[@ChilliCheezdog]

There is no-one in England like Rick. America be proud. Cheap Trick are crazy cool mo-fo's. Cheap Trick are rock music loonies. They should have come from England. They come from the US. Well that doesn't make sense. It's weird.

[@xtc1957]

Sammy Hagar has such a wonderful voice for rock music. I always preferred him over Roth, at least where the voice was concerned. David Lee was about the show, but as a singer, we'll... have a listen to the "vocals only" rendition of "Jump!" on YT. He's all over the place.

[@reallivehumandrummer4438]

You can really hear G Martin infuence in their stuff. BTW a band would have to look long and hard to find a voice 1/2 as good as R Zander.

[@yourdrummer2034]

These two guys show me rock stars could be clowns! Love you Sammy and Rick🤘

[@ricky4001cs]

I was at the Washington state fair where McCready had to be stage taught by Nielsen how to play surrender.... I couldn't fekking believe it....

[@markkanatzar1303]

Cheap Trick my first concert in Topeka Kansas 1982 hooked ever since

[@CaptainCraigKWMRZ]

If you haven't, do yourself a favor and read both Emerick's bio and George Martin's, " All you need is Ears".

[@michaelkennedy5126]

awesome 1980 bill would be RIOT , Cheap Trick, Sammy Hagar

[@ronaldstone1285]

CT is great. Mike needs to do more lead vocals, he handled it quite well. Sammy's voice is still there. And then Jason and Vic. Excellent job on Heavy Metal.

[@kiethnielsen7625]

Ok, Since you will not talk too me, I'm going back to calling you uncle, what's a few minutes for me compared to me telling everyone that you're my Uncle?

[@machine2747]

IMO the best Sammy Hagar song ever. Awesome!!

[@commodore6430]

What was with that horrible auto tune slaughtering Sammy's singing. Wtf lol

[@ralphtom3431]

the best American hard rock band is Van Halen the world's greatest rock and roll band is Cheap Trick

[@richardfurlott4243]

Cheap Trick at Grant Park 80k people year ( '90 is) . They Rocked !!!!

[@theloniouscoltrane3778]

Greates bands are written on Rick's & Sammy's shirts. Nuff said!

[@bartbullock7817]

Come on Rick you don't like watching Stevie Ray Vaughan

[@Jms3424]

If you ever wanted to see a guy lookin like a fat old Guy Fieri butcher Cheap Trick, here ya go

[@ericzarbaugh9679]

There is a little difference in Ricky guitar play Sammy sucks.

[@Ont785]

As kids, My brother was listening to the stones and said “ They’re the greatest rock ‘n’ roll band in the world” I said, “that’s not cheap trick” True story, lol

[@elianad2083]

Would be great to see an interview with the greatest vocalist of all time..Steve Perry..

[@workdrone]

1978 El Paso sun stadium With 38 special

[@jcgillin51]

Sammy's the best seems like he's always in a happy, let's rock, have fun mood and he still can play and sing.

[@shawnharper3440]

Love this, my two favorite Rockers, guitarists.

[@gerryquinn8925]

Live at budokan best album ever .worn out 20 copies

[@amievil3697]

Mikey could have always fronted his own band

[@skibootdier9488]

I thought he was Dr. Cox from the TV show Scrubs..

[@mmmadog]

I guess getting kicked out of Van Halen isn't such a bad thing.

[@adamhaynes7383]

best one yet! I'll be in Cabo for a week starting tomorrow...

[@bradwest4821]

Nice-- moderation! lol have fun, I'm jealous

[@scottz1313]

standing hampton and live at budokahn are in my all time top 10

[@beandipcartography]

Sammy the Red Rocker still rocks to this day.

[@williamroark]

Hey Rick!!! (Say “Hi” to Tim Roe for me)😉

[@bartbullock7817]

Wow they've even got Bonham on the drums

[@ohm8458]

Went to KISS & Cheap Trick at a PACKED Pontiac Silvedome in MI. in BOTH Bands blew the ROOFoof the place. I stood front of Rick when he had three giutars on him for his solo.. he's totally bad ass! I also got fake blood on me that Gene Simmons spit all over us up front! I'll never forget that concert. Great upload! 🤘

[@Skulllywag]

LOVE Cheap Trick! Have seen them 8 times over the last 30+ years. First seven were KILLER, sadly last time they seemed to not want to be there, and did the bare minimum....they played under 90 minutes and complained about the weather (chilly...outdoor venue) ....Gratefully Robin Taylor Zander (who was filling in for Tom), had more energy/enthusiasm than the rest of the band combined, and salvaged the show believe it or not. It seems age has finally caught up with them. Still on my play list though...

[@dashriprock5720]

Risk has got to have the most stereotypical rock looks of all time.

[@elianad2083]

Dang.. Sammy Hagar interviewing one of the greatest bands (besides RUSH) of all time. Looking forward to seeing this when I get some time today. Love their song.."Heaven Tonight"..legends..

[@tracezachdaniels4264]

SO SHWEEEETTT...much love Tee with LIONS NAMED LEO.[the music worldwide} and YES...soooo cool...love you brothers...great talks.!!

[@sergeantbilko7070]

You two need to loosen up a little. You're both so damn serious.

[@jameskann951]

I remember seeing Ricky at the L.A. Coliseum in 79 or 80 with Journey and Molly Hatchett God was he good and Robin too! Thanks Ricky your the best!

[@lilorbielilorbie2496]

James Kann My friends and I saw Cheap Trick for free at The University of California at Irvine just before they hit it really big. And I've been a fan ever since.

[@jameskann951]

@@lilorbielilorbie2496 They are really talented Musicians! Thank you!

[@lilorbielilorbie2496]

@@jameskann951 As the Late Great Herbert R. Tarlek Jr. used say No Problemo.

[@telecasterbear]

Rick does have the best singer. I first saw the boys in 1978. They opened for Rainbow at the Leroy theater in Pawtucket, R.I.

[@nicholasclatney7693]

Kinda sounds like mr hagar is singing through autotune

[@thomascox7536]

Can't wait till you're back in Tucson, Sammy. I'll be bringing my BestGirl Ever. She hasn't had the pleasure yet. I'm excited to share

[@scodude12]

Too bad Sammy skipped discussing Todd Rundgren with Rik - no doubt - CT’s Next Position Please was their masterpiece post their couple pop records

[@markroberts1301]

Jeff Beck reference! Awesome interview, very fun!

[@jamesbarrick3403]

Two of my personal biggest rock stars. So cool - very genuine guys. Sammy gave me (17 yrs old) a big hug on stage and then threw me into the crowd back in 1984 at wings arena kzoo MI. Best day of my life.

[@burt3498]

You Rock Sammy!!

[@thomascox7536]

Sammy, thanks again for including me/us in your fun. Yeah, you both are old facts! Most of us are now. Roth or Hagar? Really?

[@christopheryack580]

these guys love what they do….which is probably why they have aged so well saw Cheap Trick last year on long island…their kids play and tour with them now….greet show

[@RodZZilla]

The first time I saw Cheap Trick, Rick had a broken leg. Still put on one HELL of a show!

[@MikeMichaels1987]

I want that Gibson. Sammy, I live in Edinburgh, Scotland. Please Sammy.

[@NTuneLabs]

THANK YOU SAMMY for being REAL! Harmony can be hard without getting to practice a little first!

[@idealsmithreeves7392]

My brother was in Amsterdam in the 70s he ran into cheap trick at 10 years later tour. He told cheap trick when they came to America they would be big like Elvis and he would go to their show and party with them again.