A new Hard Rock casino is set to open in Rockford, Illinois, on August 29. The venue is set to honor the hometown hero Rick Nielsen of Cheap Trick with a massive 62-foot replica of his iconic Hamer Standard checkerboard guitar. Nielsen was a leading voice in getting a Hard Rock casino to come to Rockford, and his giant replica guitar will now sit outside the new venue, which will also be emblazoned with the famous Cheap Trick song title and lyrics, “I Want You to Want Me.” Hard Rock Casino Rockford will feature 175,000 square feet of gaming activities as well as a state-of-the-art 2,000-capacity performance venue. During the casino’s opening weekend celebrations it will feature concerts by Akon, Joan Jett and the Blackhearts, and Brad Paisley. (Consequence of Sound)