“No one knows this, but when I would play the clubs back in '65, '66, they used to call me 'Screaming Chicken,' 'cause I would go out and scream, fall on the ground, beat myself, smash stuff, jump through the ceiling, roll on the floor, and act like I was having epileptic fits.”

American musician

Richard Alan Nielsen is an American musician and the lead guitarist, primary songwriter, and leader of the rock band Cheap Trick. He is known for his long career in rock and for the distinctive guitars he has played. He is especially recognized for his custom-made instruments from Hamer Guitars, including his famous five-neck guitar. His public identity is closely tied to Cheap Trick and to the striking stage presence that his unusual guitars helped create.