Ted Nugent (album)
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Ted Nugent, the first solo effort of the hard-rocking Motor City Madman, was released in 1975 after disbanding his former group, the Amboy Dukes.
Ted Nugent, tired of the Dukes' lack of effort and discipline, decided he had enough and left the group, taking a three month vacation (his first ever) clearing his head in the Colorado wilderness, spending his time deer hunting and enjoying the outdoors.
Renewed, Ted 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 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 the album into the Billboard Top 30 and into the multi-platinum range. The first track, Stranglehold, would set the stage for Ted's career, an eight minute plus guitar attack with vocals by St. Holmes and Nugent, a healthy dose of a Gibson Byrdland guitar, and a famous guitar solo recorded in one take. Songs such as Stormtroopin', Hey Baby, Just What The Doctor Ordered and Snakeskin Cowboys would prove to be staples of the band's wild concert tours for years to come. Ted's ode to his hometown, Motor City Madhouse, as well as tracks like Where Have You Been All My Life, You Make Me Feel Right At Home and Queen Of The Forest not only showcased the musical ability of the band and Ted's mastery of the guitar, but also a fine songwriting capability as well.
The album, produced by Lou Futterman and Tom Werman, greatly influenced the genres of rock and heavy metal. As Ted once said, "If anyone wanted to know what rock 'n roll was all about, that's the only album they'd need."
Track Listing
1. "Stranglehold"
2. "Stormtroopin'"
3. "Hey Baby"
4. "Just What The Doctor Ordered"
5. "Snakeskin Cowboys"
6. "Motor City Madhouse"
7. "Where Have You Been All My Life"
8. "You Make Me Feel Right At Home"
9. "Queen Of The Forest"
Modern Bonus Tracks
10. "Stormtroopin'" (live)
11. "Just What The Doctor Ordered" (live)
12. "Motor City Madhouse" (live)
13. "Magic Party" (outtake)
All Songs Written and Arranged by Ted Nugent, except "Hey Baby", Written and Arranged by Derek St. Holmes.
Live versions recorded at the Hammersmith Odeon in London in 1977.