Skip to content
  • Subscribe
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Youtube
  • Instagram
  • Email
  • Home
  • News
  • Opinion
  • Entertainment
  • Features
  • Advertise
  • Subscribe to Ray’s Clumns
Suburban Chicagoland

Suburban Chicagoland

Original News, Features & Opinion on local and regional news you won't find anywhere else

  • About
    • About
    • Advertise
    • Our Writers
      • Ray Hanania
      • Bill Lipinski
      • Biography: Aaron Hanania
      • Steve Metsch
      • Steve Neuhaus
    • Terms of Service
    • Privacy Policy
    • Reach Out
  • Sections
    • Events
    • Opinion
    • News
    • Features
    • Seniors
    • Comic Strip
  • Library
    • “MIdnight Flight” Online Book
      • Midnight Flight Book Overview
      • Midnight Flight Introduction
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 1
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 2
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 3
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 4
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 5
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 6
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 7
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 8
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 9
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 10
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 11
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 12
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 13
    • Villages, Cities & Towns
    • Federal Office Holders
    • County Officials
    • Legislators
  • Subscribe to Ray’s Columns
  • Comment
  • Podcast
    • Ray Hanania on Politics
    • Two Guys on Politics
    • Hanania on Tiktok
  • News Wire
  • Toggle search form
  • 05-23-25 Jeffery M. Leving
    Leving team’s court victory protected dad’s daughters from reported danger Dads' Rights
  • Illinois House Speaker Michael J. Madigan. Photo courtesy of Wikipedia
    Madigan sentenced to stiff seven and a half years in prison on corruption case Chicago
  • Attorneys Jeffery Leving Arthur Kallow
    Honoring Fathers: A Father’s Day Reflection Arthur Kallow
  • Cook County Treasurer Maria Papas
    Understanding Cook County Property Taxes: A Guide for Homeowners Blogger
  • Pekau diatribe expels residents Feb 5 2024 board meeting on ceasefire
    Chicago Union bosses embrace anti-Arab & anti-Muslim racism to fuel Fire District takeover Baby Boomers
  • 06-04-25 Two Guys on Politics Background Zoom LOGO with images
    Two Guys on Politics Podcast on Elon Musk, Trump’s Parade, LA Riots, and Middle East ban Bill Lipinski
  • 05-23-25 Jeffery M. Leving
    Often overlooked single fathers deserve praise this Father’s Day Blogger
  • Fentanyl drugs Courtesy of the DEA
    Five Defendants Charged in Federal Investigation Targeting Fentanyl Sales in Chicago Crime
  • Illinois State Senator Michael Hastings. Photo courtesy of the Illinois State Senate
    Southland manufacturer receives state funding thanks to Hastings Business
  • Stolen merchandise in the arrest of Isadore House by Cook County Sheriff 06-11-25
    Chicago Man Faces Felony after $400,000 in Stolen Merchandise Recovered Chicago
  • Ray Hanania joins Thom Serafin on The Crisis Cast Podcast this week discussing presidential politics, journalism and how to understand Trump's reality TV persona style
    Podcast: Musk vs Trump and the impact of media distortion on news Commentary
  • Photo by Jeremy Bishop on Unsplash
    Suburban Chicago Physician Sentenced to Ten Years in Federal Prison for Health Care Fraud Crime
  • Congresswoman Robin Kelly official photo
    Congresswoman and Illinois native Lucy McBath endorse Robin Kelly for U.S. Senate during Gun Violence Prevention Month Crime
  • Standup to growing anti-Arab and anti-Muslim racism. Photo courtesy of human rights watch
    Chicago Federation of Labor criticized for racial bias against Arabs and Muslims Blogger
  • Orland Fire Protection District responds to fire in Orland Park Thursday Sept. 5, 2024. No injuries
    Orland Fire participates in Village Touch a Truck event June 12 Festival

All in the family

Posted on January 27, 2022January 28, 2022 By Steve Metsch No Comments on All in the family
SHARE THIS STORY
            
 
  

All in the family

The Nielsen Trust gives Cheap Trick songs new sounds

By Steve Metsch

Rick Nielsen and his family rewarded the few fans who attended their concert at the Genessee Theatre in Waukegan with plenty of Cheap Tricks songs that were given fresh life.

Nielsen, 73, is the lead guitarist, backup singer and primary songwriter for the Hall of Fame rock band based in Rockford.

A few years ago, perhaps taking a page from lead singer Robin Zander who performs with his adult children, Nielsen began performing with his family.

Son Daxx – who replaced Bun E. Carlos as Cheap Trick’s drummer 10 years ago – is on drums. Son Miles is on guitar.

Miles and wife Kelly Steward do the singing. A bass player and keyboardist/saxophonist round out the band.

The band got together in 2020. It resulted after Rick joined Miles band, The Rusted Hearts, on stage for a few songs in Bloomington.

“We’re not the Osmonds and the Jacksons … not growing up like that, with the generation in between. So, it’s just been exciting. Every show has been pretty cool,” Rick told www.wglt.org in a Jan. 19 story.

Miles Nielsen, wife Kelly Steward, Rick Nielsen and Daxx Nielsen are The Nielsen Trust, the side project of Rick, who usually is playing guitar for Cheap Trick. (Photo from The Nielsen Trust)

The venerable old Genesse Theatre was packed when Cheap Trick played there in June 2019. But it was perhaps 25 percent capacity for The Nielsen Trust on Jan. 22.

That’s unfortunate as the 19-song concert – save a few songs that cried out for Zander– was very enjoyable.

The song selection was diverse, digging deep at times, and the on-stage banter between father and son was priceless.

Rick Nielsen is a funny guy. Always has been. Same goes for Miles, who told us Rick’s nickname in the family is “Grumpy,”

Grumpy was in fine form, joking he was “heading to the AARP Lounge” before he left the stage for two songs.

Miles and Kelly sang “Shine Your Light” and “Over the Moon.” Both are by The Rusted Hearts. I’ve seen that band. Very good.

The show started with a fitting choice, “Just Got Back.” The lyric “been gone too long” sums up how all concert lovers and bands feel these pandemic-drenched days.

“He’s A Whore,” one of Cheap Trick’s early rockers, was a sweet surprise.

Miles introduced “Borderline” as a song Chris Isaak, Elvis Costello or the late Roy Orbison would have felt comfortable with. He’s correct, especially Roy.

Rick and Miles are good story tellers beyond their song writing.

Miles said the one song that Rick wants in the set list each night was 1994 release “Didn’t Know I Had It.” It’s one of those pop gems that makes you wonder why it wasn’t a big hit. Kelly did a great job singing.

Miles’ must-play song each gig, from 1985, was “Tonight It’s You.” The band sounded fantastic with Kelly on lead vocals.

According to Rick, Bryan Ferry was supposed to record “Take Me I’m Yours.” I think Ferry made a mistake by not recording the 1980 release that sounds in his wheelhouse.

While you’ve must give credit to Miles and Kelly for tackling Cheap Trick songs made famous by another voice, there were moments when Zander’s powerful and diverse vocal skills were sorely missed.

“Take Me I’m Yours” was one of those. Another was “Need Your Love.” While guitar licks traded by Miles and Rick were great, Miles’ singing didn’t fare as well.

Miles did win over the Cheap Trick fans with a surprisingly beautiful take on the band’s signature song, “Surrender.” After he called it “one of the greatest rock songs ever,” he slowed it down for a folk treatment. It worked.

The night’s funniest moment came just before the first encore song.

Miles said there were about to play a song Cheap Trick has never performed in concert. Why? “Because we (deleted) hate this song,” Rick chimed in.

Guess what? “Invaders of the Heart,” from the 1983 album “Next Position Please” – producedby Todd Rundgren- was one of the best songs of the night.

How do you top not one, not two, but three drum solos in the song’s waning moments? Daxx, in fine form all night, dazzled.

Cheap Trick finally returns to the area on July 16 in Tinley Park when the band opens for Rod Stewart. It’s a show that was postponed in 2020 and in 2021 by the pandemic.

In the meantime, The Nielsen Trust nicely filled the Cheap Trick void.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

newswire info
  • Author
  • Recent Posts
Steve Metsch
Steve Metsch
Steve Metsch is an award winning veteran reporter who previously worked for the Daily Southtown Newspapers, Chicago Tribune and Chicago Sun-Times. Metsch is a writer and editor at the Southwest News Newspaper group based in suburban Chicago, and a freelance writer a health magazine, the Suburban Life, the Naperville Sun, and other organizations.
Email Steve Metsch at sm4610@sbcglobal.net
Steve Metsch
Latest posts by Steve Metsch (see all)
  • Bruce Springsteen and The E Street Band are still rockin’ - August 10, 2023
  • Weathering personal storms - July 20, 2023
  • Countryside solution irks some - July 20, 2023
  • Tweet

SHARE THIS STORY
            
 
  
 
 
 
           
News, Suburban Chicagoland Tags:Daxx Nielsen, Genessee Theatre, Jan. 22, Kelly Steward, Miles Nielsen, Rick Nielsen, The Nielsen Trust, Waukegan

Post navigation

Previous Post: Orland Township Activity Center to Host February Events
Next Post: Voting Right or Voting Blight? Is anyone telling the truth?

Related Posts

  • Rob Cruz, District 229 Board, GOP candidate for 6th Congressional District
    Ousted District 229 School Trustee threatens lawsuit over his removal from office Cook County
  • Classic and great tasting Shish Kabob plate with skewers of beef, lamb, and kuftah on a bed of yellow and red rice at Zwar in Orland Park. Photo courtesy of Ray Hanania
    Finally an Arab Restaurant in Orland Park Americans will love Entertainment
  • Casa Margarita, 9549 W. 151st St in Orland Park offers a wide selection of Mexican food. This is plates of Guacamole and Ceviche with extra thin taco chips. Photo courtesy of Ray Hanania
    Venturing out of the Coronavirus Pandemic Blogger
  • Muhammad Ali Center United Way
    Muhammad Ali Center, Metro United Way partner for Greatest Give Back Events
  • Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker
    Governor Pritzker joins Secretary Pete Buttigieg for ribbon cutting at Joliet Gateway Center’s new Pace bus facility Government
  • National Weather Sevrice storm map of snowstorm moving from Montana through the Midwest on Thursday Feb. 8, 2018
    Chicagoland communities prepare for snow storm impact breaking news

More Related Articles

Rockford IceHogs beat Chicago Wolves Oct. 10, 2019 by a 3-2 score Rockford IceHogs stop Chicago Wolves in Friday Hockey competition Entertainment
Chicago Wolves player Andrew Poturalski. Photo courtesy of the Chicago Wolves. https://www.chicagowolves.com Chicago Wolves glide past the Michigan Griffins Chicago
Back to School event August 18, 2022 Back to School COVID testing today in Summit August 18 4 – 7 PM Cook County
Texas de Brazil Churrascario serving meat slices at Texas de Brazil rest Woodfield Mall All you can eat Brazilian steak houses Blogger
Democratic faithful rally News
Bill Foster Democrat 11th District Illinois Congressman Bill Foster thanks voters for their support Cook County

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

You must be logged in to post a comment.

Login with your Social ID
Subscribe to Ray Hanania's column graphic

Enter Your Email to Subscribe to Ray Hanania’s Columns

  • OPINION COLUMNS
  • Attorneys Jeffery Leving Arthur Kallow
    Honoring Fathers: A Father’s Day Reflection
    June 13, 2025
  • Cook County Treasurer Maria Papas
    Understanding Cook County Property Taxes: A Guide for Homeowners
    June 13, 2025
  • Pekau diatribe expels residents Feb 5 2024 board meeting on ceasefire
    Chicago Union bosses embrace anti-Arab & anti-Muslim racism to fuel Fire District takeover
    June 13, 2025
  • 06-04-25 Two Guys on Politics Background Zoom LOGO with images
    Two Guys on Politics Podcast on Elon Musk, Trump’s Parade, LA Riots, and Middle East ban
    June 12, 2025
  • 05-23-25 Jeffery M. Leving
    Often overlooked single fathers deserve praise this Father’s Day
    June 12, 2025
  • Ray Hanania joins Thom Serafin on The Crisis Cast Podcast this week discussing presidential politics, journalism and how to understand Trump's reality TV persona style
    Podcast: Musk vs Trump and the impact of media distortion on news
    June 11, 2025
  • NEWS
  • 05-23-25 Jeffery M. Leving
    Leving team’s court victory protected dad’s daughters from reported danger
    June 14, 2025
  • Illinois House Speaker Michael J. Madigan. Photo courtesy of Wikipedia
    Madigan sentenced to stiff seven and a half years in prison on corruption case
    June 13, 2025
  • The-Kings-Pawn-Book-300-x-300.png
  • SPORTS
  • Chicago Wovles play the Rockford Ice Hogs, Feb. 23, 2025
    Chicago Wolves Hockey skate Past Rockford Icehogs 4 to 2
    February 23, 2025
  • Chicago Wolves player Andrew Poturalski. Photo courtesy of the Chicago Wolves. https://www.chicagowolves.com
    The Chicago Wolves dispatched the Iowa Wild 4-1 on Saturday night at Allstate Arena.
    February 22, 2025
  • NEWS RELEASES
  • 05-23-25 Jeffery M. Leving
    Leving team’s court victory protected dad’s daughters from reported danger
    June 14, 2025
  • Stolen merchandise in the arrest of Isadore House by Cook County Sheriff 06-11-25
    Chicago Man Faces Felony after $400,000 in Stolen Merchandise Recovered
    June 11, 2025
John Kass Columns

Order the book PoweR PR; Ethnic Activists Guide to Strategic Communications

YOUTUBE VIDEOS

CLICK TO SUBSCRIBE TO RAY HANANIA'S YOUTUBE VIDEOS


Click here to view the video on YouTube or use the widget below.

Follow Ray Hanania at
Twitter
Facebook
TitkTok
BlueSky
RayHanania Columns

Creative Commons License
All works on this website is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License. Do not edit original work. Give credit to the original source.

Categories

Copyright © 2022 Suburban Chicagoland & Urban Strategies Group

Powered by PressBook Premium theme