Ted Nugent is an American singer, guitarist, author, reserve police officer and an activist. He started his musical career in 1958 and has been touring since 1967. He has released over 34 albums and sold over 30 million albums worldwide.
Ted is considered one of the most popular live musicians in rock and roll history. Most recently, he has had great success with his talk radio show, his own line of hunting and clothing paraphernalia and with his hunting videos.
In the late 60s, the Amboy Dukes was formed and it is where Ted started experiencing stardom. With the change of band members over time, he changed the band’s name to Ted Nugent & the Amboy Dukes in the 70s.
The mid 70s is when Ted decided to ditch the Amboy Dukes and go off on his own by assembling a new band with Derek St. Holmes –guitarist and vocalist, Rob Grange –bassist and Cliff Davies –drummer. Later that year, their self-titled debut almost was released. It wasn’t long before Derek left the band because of differences with Ted and a new singer by the name of Meat Loaf stepped in for the debut of their album, Free-for-All in 1976.
In 1977, Derek returned to the band before the release of Cat Scratch Fever and before their tour started. The band was one of the top US rock bands hitting the charts and selling a lot of albums. While touring, you would find Ted performing in skimpy clothing and knee-high boots while occasionally swinging out on a rope like Tarzan on stage.
Over the course of the band’s next few albums from 1978 – 1980, band members started leaving one-by-one leaving Ted bankrupt.
Throughout the 80s, he continued to tour and release more albums; Intensities in 10 Cities, Nugent, and Penetrator, If You Can’t Lick ‘Em… Lick ‘Em and Little Miss Dangerous.
Ted found himself taking on acting roles in the mid 1986 appearing as a drug dealer in an episode of Miami Vice. In the late 80s, he joined the super group, Damn Yankees with Jack Blades – bassist and singer, Tommy Shaw – guitarist and singer and Michael Cartellone – drummer. In 1990, the band debut their self-titled album, which became a hit. After the release of their second album, Lackluster Don’t Tread in 1992; the band called it quits.
July 2008, Ted played his 6,000th concert with Derek St. Holmes (original singer of the Ted Nugent band), Johnny Bee Badanjek (drummer for Mitch Ryder and The Detroit Wheels) and Joe Podorsek (Ted’s 1958 guitar teacher).
In addition to music, Ted is involved in politics, has a morning radio show in Detroit, has his own hunting instructional tapes, owns a hunting supply store, and writes columns and does much more. He is one of the best performers of all time and his live concert performances are entertaining and perfect for the entire family. You don’t want to miss a live, Ted Nugent concert and witness what fans have been talking about for years.
