Ted Nugent (album)

Background

Tired of The Amboy Dukes lack of effort and discipline, Nugent decided he had enough and left the group. He took a three-month vacation (his first ever) clearing his head in the Colorado wilderness, spending his time deer hunting and enjoying the outdoors.

Renewed, Nugent returned to civilization in search of a new direction and a new band. Joining him in the Ted Nugent Band would be former Amboy Duke Rob Grange on bass, along with Cliff Davies (ex-If) on drums and finally, from a local Michigan band called Scott which had opened for the Dukes previously, a singer/guitarist named Derek St. Holmes.

The new group hit the road and then the studio, forming the songs which would send their first album into the Billboard Top 30 and into the multi-platinum range. The first track, "Stranglehold", would set the stage for Nugent's career: an eight-minute plus guitar attack with vocals by St. Holmes and Nugent, a long solo played on Nugent's Gibson Byrdland guitar recorded in one take and a unique phase bass guitar effect by Grange. St. Holmes' sang tracks such as "Stormtroopin'", "Hey Baby", "Just What the Doctor Ordered" and "Snakeskin Cowboys", the latter featuring an 8-string Hagström bass played by Grange, which would prove to be staples of the band's concert tours for years to come. "Motor City Madhouse" is an ode to Ted's hometown of Detroit.

The album was produced by Tom Werman and former If manager Lew Futterman. Nugent said about the album, "If anyone wanted to know what rock 'n roll was all about, that's the only album they'd need".

The last track on the album, "Queen of the Forest", was the first rock song played by Dr. Johnny Fever on the TV series WKRP in Cincinnati.

Despite a lot of fan speculation Nugent himself has confirmed that the track "You Make Me Feel Right at Home" is sung by drummer Cliff Davies.

Reception

In 2005, Ted Nugent was ranked number 487 in Rock Hard magazine's book of The 500 Greatest Rock & Metal Albums of All Time.

"Stranglehold" has been ranked 31st greatest guitar solo of all time by Guitar World.

Track listing

All songs written and arranged by Ted Nugent, except "Hey Baby", written and arranged by Derek St. Holmes. In Martin Popoff's book, Epic Ted Nugent, Nugent admits that the song "Stranglehold", was co-written by Rob Grange yet he never received a share for co-writer.

1. "Stranglehold" – 8:22
2. "Stormtroopin'" – 3:07
3. "Hey Baby" – 4:00
4. "Just What the Doctor Ordered" – 3:43

5. "Snakeskin Cowboys" – 4:38
6. "Motor City Madhouse" – 4:30
7. "Where Have You Been All My Life" – 4:04
8. "You Make Me Feel Right at Home" – 2:54
9. "Queen of the Forest" – 3:34

10. "Magic Party" (Studio outtake) – 2:55

Personnel