Dozens flock to Sycamore Hy-Vee for Rick Nielsen of Cheap Trick

SYCAMORE – More than 100 people Friday waited in a line snaking the aisles of Hy-Vee in Sycamore for a chance to meet Rick Nielsen, singer and lead guitarist for Cheap Trick.

Nielsen, founder of the Illinois-based classic rock band, wasn’t at the area grocer to perform. Instead, he was in town to promote Rock’n Vodka, a 100% sugarcane and gluten-free vodka created by Andy Roiniotis, Isabelle Roiniotis and Denny Trakas, according to the vodka’s website. Nielsen is co-owner.

Ronny Davis of Rockford was first in line for the bottle signing. He and his wife arrived about 1 p.m., or three hours before the event was scheduled to kick off. Davis said he wasn’t surprised to see more than 100 people turn out for the bottle signing.

“It is a big deal. When he’s around, it’s a big deal,” Davis said. “It’s a joy to come and see the guy. He’s a real nice guy.”

Nielsen, 75, was born in Elmhurst. He and drummer Bun E. Carlos formed Cheap Trick in 1973. Nielsen was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2016.

It is a big deal. When he’s around, it’s a big deal. It’s a joy to come and see the guy. He’s a real nice guy.”

—  Ronny Davis of Rockford

Andrew Cochran, district store director for the Sycamore and Peru Hy-Vee locations, said he was impressed by the crowd that turned up for Nielsen’s bottle signing.

“This is incredible. What more could you ask for?” Cochran said, giving credit to Hy-Vee’s wine and spirits assistance manager Gustavo Guevara. “Anything we can do on a Friday afternoon to pack the store, it’s awesome.”

Guevara said the bottle signing was “probably one of the bigger events” he’s ever put together, and he’s been with the company for nine years.

“[COVID-19] put a damper on everything, you know? So we stopped doing these kinds of events,” Guevara said. “And now people are looking for something to do, so I said, ‘Hey, let’s put together these events and see what happens.’”

Guevara said he was thrilled with the response to Friday’s Rock’n Vodka bottle signing, but he was quick to point out that the store has other events to offer.

“I’m doing wine dinners, I’m doing all sorts of stuff,” Guevara said. “It’s amazing. Just a little shaking hands and kissing babies, and it’s like everyone knows me now. It’s awesome. This has got to be the best job I’ve ever had.”

Guevara also orchestrated the placement of more than a dozen beer-tasting tables Friday, giving visitors in the crowd who waited to meet Nielsen something to sip on if they were willing to venture away from their place in line.

The vodka brand was not offering samples, but cases of bottles were offered for sale Friday. Tim Volz, 62, who was second in line, said he drove 4½ hours from Batesville, Indiana, for the occasion.

“I got up at 7 this morning and headed this way,” Volz said.

When he arrived, which was around the same time as Davis, he said he wondered how many people would turn up.

Hours later, Volz said he thought it was cool to see so many people queued up.

That’s a good thing for Volz, because he said he’s an investor in Rock’n Vodka. So he didn’t mind spending a few hours making sure the display of Rock’n Vodka remained pristine, even as bottles were taken as quickly as he could arrange them.

Nielsen walked through the store shortly after 4 p.m. to an eruption of cheers from those who’d been waiting.

When asked what he thought of the crowd that had gathered for his bottle signing, Nielsen offered jokes.

“I think they thought Chef Boyardee was going to be here,” Nielsen said.