Ted Nugent shared some crucial details about his recent conversation with Van Halen icon David Lee Roth during an interview with 94.3 The Shark. The guitarist also opened up about performing classics and if he wanted to change them in the live performances.
Nugent has been known for his anti-drug and anti-alcohol stance and hardly criticized the musicians who used them throughout their careers. The artist highlighted that the world lost the greatest artists because of their addictions. Therefore, he didn’t have any doubts about drawing attention to the damage of drugs and alcohol to the musicians. In his previous interview, Ted Nugent revealed that he and Roth had a chance to come across and talk a few times, but it didn’t go as he expected.
Even though Nugent knew that the vocalist didn’t get enough credit for his musical talent, he targeted Roth. He said he didn’t have a deep conversation because the singer was crazy due to his addiction problems. Following these controversial comments about Roth last year, Nugent unveiled that he was on the phone with Roth a short time ago. They discussed their inspiration, and both agreed on watching Little Richard’s ‘Tutti Frutti’ without any change.
The guitarist added that Roth said he wanted his cheeseburger without messing with the traditional version. Therefore, according to Nugent, the songs he unleashed have their life forces. He never thought about changing ‘Cat Scratch Fever’ while performing live, which he created decades ago. Nugent stated that he would be angry if someone tried to add something to a classic and sacred work like Deep Purple’s ‘Smoke on the Water.’
Nugent stated in his interview that:
“No, let me quote a great man. I was on the phone with David Lee Roth yesterday. We were talking about our original inspirations. If we were to see a Little Richard ‘Tutti Frutti’ performance, it better be Little Richard doing ‘Tutti Fruitti.’ David said, ‘I want the Mcdonald’s cheeseburger taste. Don’t mess with my tradition.’
When I unleash, I don’t perform or play my songs. I unleash them. They all have a life force of their own. ‘Cat Scratch Fever’ happened in a dressing room in Pittsburgh in 1976. It’s elected and sacred. If you hear ‘Smoke on the Water,’ it’s (making sounds). If you mess with it, Ritchie Blackmore, I will jump on the stage and punch your throat. Those are mile marker sacred moments.”
You can check out the interview below.
