10 Hard Rock Musicians Who Outshined The Lead Singer

10. Rick Nielsen - Cheap Trick

Cheap Trick was one of the most accessible hard rock bands that ever was conceived. From the first time you heard their music, the sound was unbelievably intense while still having that trademark poppiness that almost verged on the Beatles' territory. Though Robin Zander was able to breathe life into these songs, Rick Nielsen was the real madman when it came to the band's vision.

Originally starting his career as a bluesier guitarist, Nielsen found his calling bringing his guitar theatrics to Cheap Trick. While there are some bluesy tendencies still in his leads, Nielsen is often on full power pop mode across tracks like "Surrender," but his real claim to fame has to be his stage presence. Dressed in his trademark ensemble of bow ties and dress shirts, Nielsen was the madman onstage who always brought his leads across with a sort of campy humor.

If the actual playing wasn't enough, Nielsen made the audience pay attention due to his choice of guitars, which now ranges from a guitar with 8 necks to having a guitar that is shaped like himself. Cheap Trick may not have gotten into the upper echelons of rock gods, but Rick Nielsen has earned his spot in rock history without a doubt.