B E A T

Self-styled “ Wild Man of Rock,” Ted Nugent’s antics( including hunting with a bow and wearing a loin cloth) have almost justified epithet. He aquired his first guitar at eight; and joined his first major band, Amboy Dukes, in 1965. The ‘Dukes’ played quazi-psychedelic music appropriate to the times, but with an extra Detroit metal quotient. The group scored a U.S. Top 20 hit in the summer of 1968 with JOURNET TO THE CENTER OF THE MIND. The group continued to play through the early 70’s with limited success and Nugent eventually signed as a soloist with Epic Records in 1975. His first album for the company (TED NUGENT) featured Derek St. Holmes on rhythm guitar and vocals; Rick Grange, bass and Cliff Davies on drums; it soon made the Top 30.

Nugent’s next album FREE FOR ALL (1976) included Meat Loaf (Then a less household name) as guest vocalist, and was also a chart success. By 1978’s LP WEEKEND WARRIORS, there were other personnel changes, although Davies remained as drummer and sometimes producer, bowing out after 1981 live LP INTENSITIES IN TEEN CITIES. During 1982, Nugent switched labels to Atlantic, forming a new band with drummer Carmine Appice (ex-Vanilla Fudge), and previous sideman Dave Kiswiney, bass, and vocalist DerekSt. Holmes. The decade was less successful for the ‘Mad Axeman,’ and following 1988 set, IF YOU CAN”T LICK ‘EM…LICK ‘EM, he set up DAMN YANKEES combo with Jack Blades (bass), drummer Mike Cartellone, and Tommy Shaw (ex-STYX) on guitar. The Yankees enjoyed U.S. Top 5 status with single HIGH ENOUGH in 1991, while their album made U.S. Top 20, but the group split after a follow-up CD, DON’T TREAD which appeared the following year.

In the last ten years, Nugent has become increasingly involved with various pro-hunting, pro-firearms, and environmental groups. However, he remains committed to music, releasing a new solo album, SPIRIT OF THE WILD in 1995, followed by a reality show of the same name. Nugent continued to tour, most notable with Kiss and Lynard Skynard in 2001.