Aerosmith evokes a variety of responses from fans, ranging from wanting Steven Tyler to father their children, to begging for the decades-old act to retire. But for opening act Cheap Trick, playing with the band evokes memories of weather disasters.

“We did a show with [Aerosmith] in Iowa in 1978, in Des Moines,” says Rick Nielsen, guitarist for Cheap Trick.

“There was a tornado. It was after the show. We were on the top floor of the Holiday Inn watching it. It was wild. Steven was sitting with me, and he was enjoying it. He was going wild — kind of a precursor of things to come with that guy.”

Along with Nielsen, drummer Bun E. Carlos, bassist Tom Petersson and vocalist Robin Zander are on tour once again with Aerosmith. The band is playing Tuesday at Hilton Coliseum and Nielsen says it’s been a while since the members have been on the road with Tyler, Joe Perry, Brad Whitford, Tom Hamilton and Joey Kramer.

“We’ve been friends for years, but hardly ever played together,” Nielsen says.

“This time they called and asked if we’d go out for four months. It’s been sellouts almost every place we’ve been. It’s been good; I’m glad they asked us out.”

At the show, Nielsen says the band will be playing a combination of its classic songs and newer material. He says the band is also keeping busy with other projects.

“Right now we’re doing about three songs off the ‘Special One’ album, along with stuff from all through the years,” Nielsen says. “We’re getting some airplay around the world. We’re releasing a thing from Tokyo — live footage from Japan, kind of a ‘Behind the Music,’ only we authorized it.”

Nielsen says his parents both being musicians helped influence his decision to become a musician; however, he pursued a much different genre.

“My parents were musicians; they were more religious and stuff,” Nielsen says. “Dad was an opera singer. I knew I’d be doing something in music, but I didn’t know I’d be playing with Aerosmith in Ames.”

Nielsen says the band started playing together “a hundred years ago” back in high school. He says not much has changed musically for the group. They played rock ‘n’ roll when they started, and that’s what they’re still doing.

“We were pretty good players back then, and we still are,” Nielsen says.

“We’ve always been kind of diverse. It’s never been just heavy or just pop. We’re still guitar, base, drum and lead singer. We haven’t changed that kind of stuff. We haven’t started to sound like Josh Groban or anything.”

Nielsen says the tour schedule keeps the band too busy to party much. So far, he says, the members haven’t encountered any more tornados, either.

“It’s still as hectic as ever,” Nielsen says.

“There’s always some weird stuff that happens. We want to have fun while we’re doing it, but we have to take the tour seriously. We’re busy; we’re on the road. But for people at the show it’s like being on vacation — they get as drunk or as high as they want and don’t have to go to work the next day.”

One of the factors, Nielsen says, to a long music career is dependent on the band members continuing to love what they’re doing, because musical creativity isn’t something that can be forced.

“If you like what you’re doing, stick with it,” Nielsen says.

“If you feel like you get in a rut, get out.”