Released October 1976 Artist Ted Nugent Label Epic Records | Length 38:28 Release date October 1976 Genres Hard rock, Heavy metal | |
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Studio The Sound Pit, Atlanta, Georgia Free-for-All
(1976) Cat Scratch Fever
(1977) Producers Tom Werman, Lew Futterman, Cliff Davies Similar Ted Nugent albums, Hard rock albums | ||
Free-For-All is the second solo album by American guitarist Ted Nugent and his first album to go platinum.
Contents
Overview
As the recording of Free-For-All commenced, rhythm guitarist and lead vocalist Derek St. Holmes left the band, citing growing personal and creative conflicts with Nugent. Two solid years of living together on the road had taken its toll on the relationship. Additionally, St. Holmes was unhappy with Tom Werman's production, saying that the producer was watering down the band's sound.
A full year before Bat Out of Hell brought him international success, vocalist Meat Loaf was brought in by producer Werman to sing on the album. Meat Loaf was paid the sum of $1000 for his contributions to the album, which included crafting all of the vocal arrangements and two days of recording sessions. He says that after he agreed to do the album he was sent a lyric sheet containing just the words with no arrangements. Having no idea what the songs were going to sound like, he nonetheless created the vocal arrangements for every song.
St. Holmes returned to the group after Free For All's release, performing on the subsequent tour. Band management asked him to return at the request of Epic Records.
The track "Turn It Up" was featured in the The Walking Dead third season episode, "This Sorrowful Life", and heard on the car radio while Merle Dixon (Michael Rooker) is sitting in the driver's seat of a car, right before he jumps out of it which is being followed by a horde of "walkers" attracted by the noise into Woodbury.
Track listing
All songs written by Ted Nugent, except where noted, all songs arranged by Nugent, Rob Grange, Derek St. Holmes and Cliff Davies.
Side one
- "Free-for-All" – 3:20
- "Dog Eat Dog" – 4:04
- "Writing on the Wall" – 7:08
- "Turn It Up" – 3:36
Side two
- "Street Rats" – 3:36
- "Together" (Rob Grange, Cliff Davies) – 5:52
- "Light My Way" (Derek St. Holmes, Rob Grange) – 3:00
- "Hammerdown" – 4:07
- "I Love You So I Told You a Lie" (Cliff Davies) – 3:47
1999 CD reissue bonus tracks
- "Free-for-All" (live) – 5:13
- "Dog Eat Dog" (live) – 6:21
- "Street Rats" (alternate version with Derek St. Holmes on vocals) – 4:14
Personnel
Band members
Additional musicians
Production
Songs
1Free for All3:22
2Dog Eat Dog4:04
3Writing on the Wall7:11