Rick Nielsen Allows American Pickers to Take His Guitar on One Condition – SlashGear
ded beyond simply searching for random individuals with interesting items to celebrities allowing the pickers, Mike Wolfe and Frank Fritz, to pick through their personal collections. This evolution was evident when Cheap Trick guitarist and songwriter Rick Nielsen welcomed the pickers to his warehouse near Rockford, Illinois.
The episode featuring Rick Nielsen and his collection premiered on March 11, 2013, during the eighth season of “American Pickers.” During their visit to Rick’s Picks, which was a Burpee Museum exhibit of Cheap Trick memorabilia curated by Nielsen, Mike and Frank had the opportunity to explore the vast collection of items stored there. This visit was a significant departure from the standard premise of the show, as it delved into the rock ‘n’ roll history embodied by Nielsen’s personal collection.
The early part of the episode saw Frank Fritz, a self-proclaimed fan of Cheap Trick, excitedly scouring through items that caught his eye for his personal collection. He even managed to secure a personalized autograph from Rick on a promotional poster board. As the pickers ventured further into Rick’s warehouse, Mike made a purchase of a vintage road case, adding another piece of music history to his collection.
The pivotal moment of the episode arrived when Frank spotted a custom-made checkerboard pattern guitar that had only been used once. Determined to add this unique piece to his collection, Frank engaged in a series of unsuccessful negotiations with Rick over the guitar’s price. Despite offering various amounts, including $1,500, $2,000, $2,250, and $2,800, Rick declined all offers. Surprisingly, Rick offered the guitar to the pickers as a permanent loaner to be displayed at Mike’s Music City store, demonstrating his goodwill and appreciation for the pickers’ passion for preserving rock ‘n’ roll history.
The gesture of generosity from Rick Nielsen not only added a valuable piece of rock ‘n’ roll memorabilia to Mike Wolfe’s collection but also showed the camaraderie and mutual respect shared between collectors and enthusiasts in the world of antique picking. This special moment captured on “American Pickers” highlighted the unexpected treasures that can be unearthed when exploring the diverse world of secondhand goods and rock ‘n’ roll memorabilia.
Overall, the episode featuring Rick Nielsen’s collection exemplified the essence of “American Pickers” as a show that celebrates history, nostalgia, and the thrill of discovering hidden gems within seemingly ordinary collections. It showcased the unique dynamic between collectors, enthusiasts, and individuals passionate about preserving the stories and artifacts that shape our cultural history.