Rock on! Hard Rock Hotel & Casino blasts into Atlantic City with grand opening

More than a year after Hard Rock pumped some serious juice into Atlantic City’s stagnant casino market, the amped-up revival of the former Trump Taj Mahal made its official debut on Thursday with the expected glitz, glamor and guitar smashing.

“This could have been my craziest idea, because no doubt it was a challenge,” Hard Rock International Chairman and CEO Jim Allen said Thursday during the opening ceremonies. “I’m not sure how we got it done.”

Hard Rock Hotel and Casino threw a surprise opening and welcomed gamblers on Wednesday night, but the official festivities to mark the completion of the $500 million investment were reserved for Thursday.