Running through April 2013, the exhibit displays 78 guitars that’ll make any red-blooded gearhead weak in the knees. (And that’s not even Nielsen’s whole collection! That’s just the highlights. Yowzahs.) Dave Grohl, Brian May, Todd Rundgren, and Conan O’Brien contributed pieces from their personal guitar collections as well. Visitors also can view videos and thousands of pieces from Nielsen’s amazing rock memorabilia collection accumulated during his decades-long career.

What does this have to do with Shure? Cheap Trick has been a Shure artist endorser for many years. We are HUGE fans and crazy-proud to share a home state with them. Shure fans who visit the exhibit will notice our headphones in the video area and—get this—in the area that features vintage audio of Nielsen composing on the fly, digitally converted from the original cassettes.

Check out this video for a taste of what awaits you at the exhibit:

Plus, in spring 2013, Nielsen will hit the stage of the beautifully restored Coronado Performing Arts Center in downtown Rockford, along with Cheap Trick bandmates and many special guests. Visit rickspickslive.com for details as they unfold.

Our own Michael Pettersen visited the exhibit and graced us with some great pics. Plus, check out the vintage shot (courtesy of Mike Graham, Graham Images) of Nielsen wielding no less than three guitars. Enjoy!