Fans were relieved when he returned to take a bow with his bandmates after the encore
Cheap Trick guitarist Rick Nielsen gave fans a frightening moment during the band’s concert at RiverEdge Park in Aurora, Illinois, on Thursday, September 10, 2026, when the 77-year-old musician experienced an apparent medical issue that left him struggling to breathe and forced him to leave the stage multiple times. The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame band was performing as part of its ongoing 2026 touring schedule when Nielsen, one of Cheap Trick’s founding members and most recognizable figures, began having difficulties only a handful of songs into the performance. Nielsen initially made it through the opening portion of the set, which included “Hello There,” “Heart on the Line,” “Come On, Come On” and “Lookout,” but walked offstage during “Big Eyes.” At first, fans were given little indication of what had happened, creating an increasingly uneasy atmosphere as the guitarist remained backstage.
As the band attempted to continue the concert, singer Robin Zander eventually addressed Nielsen’s condition and explained to the crowd that the guitarist needed some time away from the stage. “Rick’s going to take a break. He’s having a hard time breathing but will be back soon,” Zander told the audience before Cheap Trick continued with its cover of Fats Domino’s “Ain’t That a Shame.” Nielsen’s absence was especially noticeable considering how central his guitar playing and animated stage presence have been to Cheap Trick’s live shows for more than five decades. Robin Taylor Zander, the singer’s son and a longtime touring member of the group, helped cover Nielsen’s guitar duties while the veteran musician was backstage. The performance was subsequently interrupted for approximately 10 minutes, with the pause reportedly connected to Nielsen’s breathing problems.
Nielsen eventually returned to the stage during “High Roller,” providing a moment of relief for the audience, although eyewitness accounts suggested he was still clearly not feeling like himself. A chair was brought out and positioned near Nielsen’s usual spot in front of his trademark checkerboard amplifier setup, allowing him to remain seated while holding his guitar. According to a review of the concert published by In The Loop Magazine, Nielsen appeared dazed after returning and did not immediately resume playing at his normal level. Bassist Tom Petersson reportedly moved close to Nielsen as the song concluded, while Petersson’s subsequent bass solo gave his longtime bandmate additional time to recover. Nielsen was nevertheless able to remain onstage for several more numbers as Cheap Trick worked its way through a set that included “I Know What I Want,” “I Want You to Want Me” and “Surrender.”
The health scare was not completely over, however. Nielsen again left the stage around the time Cheap Trick reached “Dream Police,” raising fresh concern among those watching the show. The concert ultimately became shorter than originally planned, with “The Riff That Won’t Quit” and “Heaven Tonight” among the songs reportedly dropped from the set. Despite the disruption, Zander, Petersson, drummer Daxx Nielsen — Rick Nielsen’s son — and the rest of the touring lineup kept the performance moving under difficult circumstances. The situation was particularly poignant for Daxx, who was performing behind the drum kit while his father dealt with the medical issue just a short distance away.
Perhaps the most encouraging moment came at the conclusion of the concert. After Cheap Trick finished the abbreviated performance with “Auf Wiedersehen” and its traditional closing number “Goodnight,” Nielsen returned to join his bandmates for the final bow. According to the on-site account, he smiled, waved and displayed some of the playful mannerisms that have become part of his stage persona over the decades, prompting the audience to chant his name. While his return did not answer questions about what had caused the breathing difficulty, it provided a reassuring sight for fans who had watched the guitarist struggle earlier in the evening. As of the immediate aftermath of the show, there had been no publicly confirmed diagnosis explaining the episode, making it important to characterize what happened as a health scare or apparent medical episode rather than speculate about its cause.
The incident occurred during what was already a significant hometown-area appearance for Cheap Trick. Formed in Rockford, Illinois, the band has maintained particularly deep ties to the state throughout its career. The RiverEdge Park performance had been promoted as the final concert of the venue’s 2026 season and featured Nashville-based singer-songwriter James Hatem as the special guest. Cheap Trick remains one of rock music’s most enduring touring acts, with more than 20 million records sold and more than 40 international Gold and Platinum certifications during a career stretching back more than half a century. Nielsen, with his collection of eccentric guitars, checkerboard imagery and unmistakable onstage personality, has remained one of the defining elements of the group since its earliest days.
The Aurora incident also drew additional attention because Cheap Trick remains in the middle of an active touring schedule. At the time of the RiverEdge Park show, the group had additional concerts scheduled in the days ahead, including a September 15 appearance at The Paramount in Huntington, New York, and a September 16 date at the Hampton Beach Casino Ballroom in New Hampshire. Whether Nielsen’s breathing difficulties will have any effect on those upcoming performances had not been officially established in the reports available following the Aurora concert.
For fans in attendance, what began as another opportunity to see one of Illinois’ most celebrated rock bands ultimately became an unsettling reminder of the physical demands that accompany decades of touring. Nielsen was able to return after his initial exit, participate in portions of the remainder of the concert and appear again for the final bow, all encouraging developments after the initial scare. Still, until Nielsen or Cheap Trick provides more information, the precise nature and seriousness of the episode remain unknown. The lasting image from RiverEdge Park, however, was Nielsen standing with his bandmates once again at the end of the night as the Aurora crowd loudly showed its support for a guitarist who has spent more than 50 years helping define Cheap Trick’s sound and personality.
Cheap Trick canceled their show the next night on Friday, September 11 at Warner Vineyards in Paw Paw, MI, citing “unforeseen circumstances.”
The band is set to return to the stage on Tuesday, September 15 at The Paramount in Huntington, NY.