Richard Alan Nielsen was born on 22 December 1948, in Elmhurst, Illinois, USA. He is a vocalist, songwriter, and guitarist, best known for being a member of the rock band Cheap Trick. He owns numerous custom-made guitars, with the most popular one being his five-neck guitar. All of his efforts have helped put his net worth to where it is today.
How rich is Rick Nielsen? As of mid-2016, sources estimate a net worth that is at $22 million, mostly earned through a successful career in the music industry. Rick has collaborated with numerous artists, and has made multiple appearances on television, in films and on radio. He’s also toured several countries, and all of these activities have ensured the position of his wealth.
Rick Nielsen Net Worth $22 million
Rick was born into a very music oriented family, with both his parents being opera singers. They owned a music store in Rockford and he used this opportunity to learn how to play several instruments. After learning the drums for six years, Rick then decided to switch to playing the keyboard and guitar. He started his own school band called The Phaetons, and soon they would change their name to The Grim Reapers.
After using that name for a while, they changed their name to Fuse and released a studio album that didn’t sell well. This led to them disbanding in 1970, and Rick would go on and join the band Nazz for a short time. He also formed the short-lived Sick Man of Europe, before creating Cheap Trick in 1973 with Bun E. Carlos, Tom Petersson, and Robin Zander. During their first few albums, Nielsen would be responsible for writing almost all of their songs, and they found success as a band and even had a No. 1 US single, “The Flame”. He also started to work with other artists such as John Lennon.
With Cheap Trick, Rick has made numerous television and radio appearances. They’ve also performed on multiple music shows and made appearances on late night shows hosted by David Letterman, Jay Leno, and Conan O’Brien. Rick also appeared in the film “Disorderlies”, and in an episode of “American Pickers”. In 2013, he made another appearance in “Wait Wait… Don’t Tell Me”, and would participate in Dave Grohl’s documentary “Sound City”. He also performed with the Foo Fighters for a while, and one of his latest appearances was in “Live From Daryl’s House”. All added to his net worth.
Nielsen has worked with multiple artists throughout his career including Hall & Oates, Alice Cooper, Motley Crue, and House of Lords. He has also written songs for artists such as The News and Rick Derringer.
Aside form music, Rick owns his own brewery and pizzeria, and does local charity work as well. His collection of guitars has been featured in various exhibits around the US.
For his personal life, Rick is married to Karen, and they have three sons and a daughter. Rick is reputed to have owned around two thousand guitars through the years, with reports stating that he now owns around 250 various instruments. In 2002, he displayed 34 guitars at a free exhibit. He’s well known to wear a flipped ball cap when performing, showing similarities to Huntz Hall of The Bowery Boys. He also has a black and white motif for clothes, but has made a lot of fashion changes over the years.
Daxx Nielsen, Scarlett Nielsen, Miles Nielsen, Erron Nielsen
Parents
Ralph Nielsen, Marilyn Nielsen, I Want You to Want Me, The Flame, Surrender, Ocho Rios, Jamaica, Walnut Creek, CA, United States, Waukegan, IL, United States
Cheap Trick (Since 1974), Fuse, The Nazz, Buck Satan and the 666 Shooters, Revolting Cocks
#
Quote
1
I'm a really normal guy. You know our song, the one that goes, 'It wasn't easy, it was hard as hell ... Never worked so hard, had so much pain.' That's really what Cheap Trick is all about: Work hard, keep trying.
#
Fact
1
Guitarist and main songwriter for rock band Cheap Trick.
Soundtrack
Title
Year
Status
Character
Live from Daryl's House
2016
TV Series documentary writer - 1 episode
The Boss
2016
writer: "I Want You to Want Me"
Everybody Wants Some!!
2016
writer: "I Want You to Want Me Live"
Pixels
2015
writer: "Surrender"
Stalker
2014
TV Series writer - 1 episode
Late Show with David Letterman
TV Series performer - 1 episode, 2014 writer - 1 episode, 2014
Californication
2009-2014
TV Series writer - 2 episodes
The Tonight Show with Jay Leno
2011-2013
TV Series writer - 2 episodes
Sound City
2013
Documentary performer: "From Can to Can't" / writer: "Auf Wiedersehen", "Surrender", "Stiff Competition", "From Can to Can't"
How I Met Your Mother
2013
TV Series writer - 1 episode
Thanks for Sharing
2012
writer: "SURRENDER"
New Girl
2012
TV Series writer - 1 episode
Conan
2011
TV Series writer - 1 episode
Super
2010/I
writer: "If You Want My Love"
Drop Dead Diva
2010
TV Series writer - 1 episode
Grown Ups
2010
writer: "Just Got Back"
One Tree Hill
2004-2010
TV Series writer - 2 episodes
The Tonight Show with Conan O'Brien
2009-2010
TV Series writer - 2 episodes
10 Things I Hate About You
2009
TV Series writer - 2 episodes
Bandslam
2009
writer: "I Want You to Want Me"
Orphan
2009
writer: "Surrender" - as Rick Neilsen
United States of Tara
2009
TV Series writer - 1 episode
Lost
2009
TV Series writer - 1 episode
Rudo y Cursi
2008
writer: "Quiero que me quieras I Want You to Want Me", "I Want You to Want Me"
Emily's Reasons Why Not
2008
TV Series writer - 1 episode
Dancing with the Stars
2008
TV Series lyrics - 1 episode
Friday Night Lights
2008
TV Series writer - 1 episode
South Park
2007
TV Series writer - 1 episode
SingStar Amped
2007
Video Game writer: "I Want You To Want Me"
Skate.
2007
Video Game writer: "Surrender"
Idool 2007
2007
TV Series writer - 1 episode
Supernatural
2006
TV Series writer - 1 episode
Guitar Hero II
2006
Video Game "SURRENDER"
Employee of the Month
2006
writer: "Surrender"
Kurt Cobain About a Son
2006
Documentary writer: "Downed"
John Tucker Must Die
2006
writer: "I Want You to Want Me"
Air Guitar Nation
2006
Documentary writer: "I Want You To Want Me"
The Comeback
2005
TV Series writer - 1 episode
The Third Wish
2005
writer: "I Want You To Want Me"
Cold Case
2004-2005
TV Series writer - 2 episodes
Canadian Idol
2004
TV Series writer - 2 episodes
Cheap Trick: From Tokyo to You
2004
Video writer: "Just Got Back", "Big Eyes", "Best Friend", "Pop Drone", "Words", "If You Want My Love", "My Obsession", "I Want You To Want Me", "Carnival Game", "Lookout", "Special One", "Dream Police", "Scent Of A Woman", "Surrender"
I Love the '80s Strikes Back
2003
TV Series documentary writer: "I Want You To Want Me"
Daddy Day Care
2003
writer: "Surrender"
Scrubs
2001-2002
TV Series writer - 2 episodes
Joe Dirt
2001
writer: "If You Want My Love"
Freaks and Geeks
1999
TV Series writer - 1 episode
Detroit Rock City
1999
writer: "Surrender"
10 Things I Hate About You
1999
writer: "I Want You To Want Me"
Second Skin
1998/I
Short writer: "Surrender"
Small Soldiers
1998
writer: "Surrender"
La vida en el aire
1998
TV Series writer - 1 episode
Private Parts
1997
writer: "I Want You To Want Me"
The Evening Star
1996
writer: "Ghost Town"
The Simpsons
1996
TV Series writer - 1 episode
Bio-Dome
1996
writer: "He's a Whore"
S.F.W.
1994
writer: "Surrender"
Beavis and Butt-Head
1994
TV Series writer - 1 episode
Queens Logic
1991
writer: "I Want You to Want Me"
Up the Creek
1984
writer: "Up the Creek"
Rock & Rule
1983
"Born to Raise Hell", "I'm The Man", "Ohm Sweet Ohm", "Send Love Through: Finale" / writer: "Born to Raise Hell", "I'm The Man", "Ohm Sweet Ohm"
Spring Break
1983
writer: "Spring Break"
Wu ting
1981
writer: "Gonna Raise Hell"
Roadie
1980
writer: "Everything Works If You Let It", "Gonna Raise Hell"
Up the Academy
1980
lyrics: "Surrender" / music: "Surrender"
Over the Edge
1979
writer: "Hello There", "Surrender", "Downed"
Top of the Pops
1979
TV Series writer - 1 episode
Actor
Title
Year
Status
Character
Back
2007
Video short
The Drew Carey Show
1998
TV Series
Rick Nielsen
Boy Meets World
1994
TV Series
Gordy
Disorderlies
1987
Hijacked Car Driver
Music Department
Title
Year
Status
Character
Last Action Hero
1993
featured musician - as Rick Nielson
Thanks
Title
Year
Status
Character
The Big One
1997
Documentary grateful acknowledgment
Self
Title
Year
Status
Character
Sound City
2013
Documentary
Himself
That Metal Show
2011
TV Series
Himself - Guest
Beatles Stories
2011
Documentary
Himself
Cheap Trick Live in Austin
2010
TV Movie
Himself - Lead Guitar & Vocals
SXSW Flashback 2010
2010
TV Movie
Himself
Cheap Trick: Sgt. Pepper Live
2009
Video
Himself
The Colbert Report
2006-2009
TV Series
Himself - Musical Guest / Himself
Rock Prophecies
2009
Documentary
Stars and Their Guitars: The History of the Electric Guitar