Controversial rocker Ted Nugent recently took to his X account and posted a picture of former First Lady Michelle Obama and it was taken from the back.
— Ted Nugent (@TedNugent) August 10, 2024
Ted Nugent is never shy about sharing his opinion publicly. He recently discussed his musical influences, and in particular, musicians who hailed from the Detroit area in the 1960s.
Speaking with Indiepower TV about the new Cactus tribute album he plays on, “Temple of Blues: Influences & Friends,” the Nuge opened up on his fondness for this oft-overlooked proto-metal group. However, his unwavering love and respect for ’60s Detroit rock, funk, and soul it not unnoticed.
“The musical authority, the musical spirit, the musical adventure, the virtuoso work ethic, musical monsters that I was born amongst,” Nugent said.
“You know, obviously the Motown. Everything Motown is sacred. All the black heroes had so much more emotion, so much more piss and vinegar, so much more energy, so much again, I use the word ‘musical authority.'”
“And I think obviously, if you and I are here to talk about Carmine Appice and the incredible Cactus music, Jim McCarty, my dear friend and my musical hero, the greatest guitar player in the world… Somebody write that down! And Rusty Day, the singer of The Amboy Dukes [who also sang for Cactus]. So, the excitement level was just immeasurable.”
The conversation then shifted to other specific artists that Nugent was inspired by. He said:
“The MC5 and The Rationals and Brownsville Station and Dick Wagner and the Frost and the Scot Richard Case and the Amboy Dukes. Certainly, Bob Seger. All these amazing, amazing bands were so influenced by Billy Lee and the Rivieras, who turned into Mitch Ryder the Detroit Wheels, and all those unbelievably gifted, authoritative musicians that inspired all that high energy tightness.”
“We were passed the baton of musical authority of James Brown, Wilson Pickett, Sam and Dave, Motown, Funk Brothers tightness by Mitch Ryder and the Detroit Wheels. And that continued to inspire all of us to this very day.”
