"All meaningful music comes from black blues, gospel and soul musicians celebrating fierce independence, defiance and irreverence for allthings status quo."

Ted Nugent: Motor City Madman Hit the Road!

Select few professionals are possessed of the skill, passion and sheer tenacity to break record after record in their chosen field.  And fewer still can stake that claim in more than one arena.

To millions of music lovers, Ted Nugent has carved a permanent place in rock and roll history as the guitar-shredding showman, selling more than 40 million albums, performing more than 6,400 high-octane concerts, and continuing to set attendance records at venues around the globe. 

From the ground breaking Amboy Dukes' hit "Journey to the Center of the Mind", to classics like "Stranglehold" and "Cat Scratch Fever", Damn Yankees chartbuster "High Enough," and cult classic "Fred Bear and Ted’s no-holds barred career spans five decades.

Ted Nugent has been known for cranking his Gibson Byrdland and performing like a madman since his days with the Amboy Dukes. In the thirty years since departing the ‘Dukes, he has established himself as a successful solo artist and guitar legend.

An avid hunter as well as a musician, the Nuge’s restless spirit has driven him into many other ventures – including stints as a radio show host and a regular contributor for numerous publications. In recent years Ted has become known as an author as well, penning the cook book Kill It and Grill It and the novel God, Guns, & Rock 'N' Roll, a New York Times bestseller. In 2006 he took part in VH1’s Supergroup, a reality TV show following the formation of the new band Damnocracy. When he’s not spending quality time with family, the Whackmaster is setting attendance records at venues worldwide.

Interview by Michael Limnios

What do you learn about yourself from the blues and what does mean to you? 

All meaningful music comes from black blues, gospel and soul musicians celebrating fierce independence, defiance and irreverence for allthings status quo. I found my voice in this from the very beginning.

"All the original influences and inspirations from the original founding fathers are alive and well in my music and many other dedicated musicians today."

What are miss most nowadays from the 60s – 70s era and the beginning?

All the original influences and inspirations from the original founding fathers are alive and well in my music and many other dedicated musicians today. You will feel the soul of Chuck Berry, Bo Diddley, Little Richard, Jerry Lee Lewis, Howling Wolf, Muddy Waters, James Brown, Wilson Picket, Sam and Dave, Booker T, Stax/Volt, Chess records, the mighty Motown Funkbrothers and more in all the best touring bands today.

What are some of the most memorable gigs and jams you've had? Which memory makes you smile?

My ferocious, gravity defying career is an immeasurable orgy of musical and human dreams come true. Every concert for more than 50 years and 6500 rockouts have been indelibly burned onto my psyche and soul. I am the luckiest guitarist on the planet.

Which was the best moment of your career and which is the most interesting period in your life?

I'm sure many more best moments will erupt on this Ted Nugent Black Power Tour 2013 and surely right now is the most interesting period of my life with criminals and America haters running our corrupt government. Fascinating times.

Ted Nugent with Andy Warhol, Truman Capote, Rick Derringer, Johnny & Edgar Winter and friends

Some music styles can be fads but Ted Nugent music is always with us. Why do think that is? What's the legacy?

My musicians have always been world class, ultra dedicated purely to the music and our black heroes drive us to put our hearts and souls into every song, every lick. Such passion is contagious and appreciated by real music lovers everywhere forever.

Which things do you prefer to do in your free time? What turns you on? Happiness is…

My entire life is free time. As an American, I am free to pursue my own happiness at my own chosen pace, and I always have. Family, friends, music, nature, dogs, hunting, archery, marksmanship, wilderness adventure, horsepower, writing, charity and American activism defines my quality of life. 

Ted Nugent - Official website