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Ultimate Classic Rock posted the Harrah's Cherokee Casino Resort, the following statement last night where the band had been scheduled to play in February. “Mama said there'd be days like this. Cheap Trick's scheduled performance at Harrah's Cherokee Casino Resort has been cancelled,” the venue announced via Facebook. The post included the following official statement from the band: “After many years of touring, and a much-needed break, Cheap Trick has decided to take an unspecified amount of time off, therefore this event has unfortunately been canceled. The good news is that no action is required to obtain a refund. It will be processed to the original method of payment used at time of purchase, once funds are received from the Event Organizer, which is usually completed within 30 Days.” Separately, Thunder by the Bay Music & Motors Festival confirmed Cheap Trick had canceled their scheduled performance for February 2027. "While we are has announced they will be taking an “unspecified amount of time off” from touring. Disappointed by this unexpected news, we respect the band's decision and wish them all the best," the festival said in part. Personally, I'm glad they finally decided to take a break. These guys still tour 125+ gigs including private events annually in their 70's. No word on the remaining 2026 shows however I would not be surprised if they cancel a few of those as well. The Farewell Tour of Japan marked an end of an era and so does this. While I highly recommend retirement, I don't want to see Robin Zanders version anytime soon. All the Best to Rick, Robin, Tom, Bun E., Daxx, & RTZ, their touring management, staff, and road crew. Hamerica

I watched some of the auction online Saturday. The results were as mixed as the items auctioned. After it ended, I had more questions than answers. Who was the bidders? Will we see some items resell on other known sites shortly? How many people immediately had buyers remorse? Here are the results that I calculated 266 Lots Sold (Hammered) of the 307 Total Lots for a 86.65% I don't believe the minimum was dropped off of any lots so that explains the lower than I expected completed sold rate. Like the Dusty Hill auction, I think there is going to be some items which reappear due to novice or inexperienced bidders. Total Auction Results $1,477,090 including the 28% bidders fee. Total Guitar lots sold was $1,111,680 or 75.26% of the auction totals. Total Amp and related Amp items $68,480 or 4.64% of the auction totals. (This was helped by the $19,840 Red Marshall 1960B Cab and $5,120 for the Wire Mesh Marshall Grille) Hamer branded or mentioned items were $765,568 was overall more than I anticipated @ $765,568 or 51.83% This was helped by $38,400 for a 2007 Checkerboard Standard and the two Futuras. The Rick Nielsen Sweaters was $91,648 or just 6.20% of the total auction. The sheer number of sweaters and some of the prices were way above what I expected them to go for. My belief is 99.9% of those were sold to Cheap Trick Fans....Serious Hard Core Cheap Trick Fans, who I assume treated this like an EBAY event and did not calculate their overall expenses forthcoming. They are going to have a Judas Priest moment. LOT #137 sold for $5,760 which was the WUWAM Sweater, that one sale made every guitar sold seem like a bargain. The suits and jackets had another rabid fan moment when LOT #133 Black Trenchcoat urinated on by Nikki Sixx hammered at $5,760. I'm pretty certain that was from "The Doctor" album and Nikki was right to pee on that one. Regarding the guitars sold, most of the vintage stuff either didn't sell or was no greater than any other vintage guitar show. In fact, there were some which sold for less than I anticipated. The top two Hamers went barely over the minimum bid. Lot #87, Gibson Les Paul XPL was less than I estimated being it was one of those owned by RIck and the $25,600 includes the fees. I was anticipating a total auction return of $2.5 to $3.0 million with fees for Julian's. Will there be another auction in the near future? Probably but time will tell. If you thought the guitars offered were sold too high wait till you see the top shelf of the RN Collection. I personally and hoping RN has a foundation that will keep the other Vintage Hamers on tour at a Hard Rock Casino, the RRHOF or other similar venues for people to enjoy. Probably not but one can hope. I had a conversation (several) with some other folks who watched this auction, RIck would have done better if he had an auction at a Rick's Picks or Rock'n Vodka styled event, or his Reverb store. Hamerica

Happy Birthday Bruce! Congratulations on the milestone birthday and wishing you all the very best as the SUN REVOLVES around you another cycle. You know what's next. Pics or it didn't happen. I have never had the pleasure of attending a 4321 Bash, I understand they are legendary! I have had the pleasure of walking in New Orleans in the French Quarter and someone yelling out my name. Who else but one of HFC' FInest BruceM ! I can't believe that has been a couple of decades ago. Again Happy Belated Birthday BruceM! Hamerica

Sounds a great time - my family can go and pay tribute to the Mouse. I can pay tribute to some "Deadwood and Wire". IYKYK , Hamerica

Donnie Iris gone, this one broke my heart even though I had heard he was ill and canceling dates. . Iris "Back on the Streets" remains one of my favorite albums of all time. Rest in Peace and Gods Speed Donnie! Thank you for the tunes. My personal favorite is "Shock Treatment". Just pure genius and fit Donnie's personality to a "T". Condolences to his family, his friends and his fans. Hamerica

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It's like the budget EVH version of the Deacy.

Interesting watch, thanks for posting that. And yet, when you watch the old EVH 1984 videos, his Kramers had nothing, not even a cover on the control cavity.

Sorry to hear that, he was really cool. 83 is a pretty good run, though.

Saw the name and heard the song in my head. He definitely left a legacy. RIP.

That's a beautiful Pearce!!! Mines just a preamp and taking down the post.

There aren’t many Pittsburgh legends known with just one name. Say “Donnie,” or, rather, “Dahnie,” in these parts and everyone knows exactly who you’re talking about. Donnie Iris has been a legend in Western Pennsylvania going all the way back to the late ’60s as a member of The Jaggerz. Iris, whose soaring vocals powered the hits “Ah! Leah!,” “Love Is Like a Rock” and “My Girl,” died Monday, according to friends and bandmates, after battling bladder cancer for three years. He was 83. “For my money, he was the most beloved Pittsburgh musician of all time,” his colleague Joe Grushecky said. “I don’t know anyone who was loved more than Donnie. He just had that warmth about him, and it came through in his performance.” Born Dominic Ierace in New Castle and raised in Ellwood City, Iris grew up on a steady diet of Frank Sinatra, Tony Bennett, Elvis Presley and, eventually, the Beatles, Rolling Stones and Motown. We saw him in February, and he still had the voice and could still hit the high notes. He was doing a very cool arrangement of "Ah! Leah", starting as a slower, bluesier take on it before breaking into the classic version. RIP, Donnie, and thank you for the music.

I guess not everyone hates victory inlays.

Get a room.

If it makes you feel any better, your buyer probably got less than he paid you from Carter.

Today Cheap Trick canceled tour dates for next year. A friend sent this to me.

In the case of this particular flipper all I can say is "Eat more tuna"... Too dark?

Did I mention he has really fast hands?

Looks like someone snagged it.

Flipper!

Not conflating correlation with causation, but not since the Feds got rid of all of the stills. 😉

Good to know...............can't think of anyone I know that is in the market for one of those except my friend who has been after mine for years. Mine is a Pearce G2r in the solid oak cabinet............... all 85 lbs. of it. It's a beast! in more ways than one!

People are dicks. Wee, tiny dicks.