Ted Nugent discussed his iconic song ‘Stranglehold’ and his connection to Bruce Jenner in a recent interview with Fox News Radio.
“It is. I get calls all the time saying, ‘What a great song,'” Nugent said. “We’re playing it every night. Now we’re doing these Uncle Ted speakeasies right now just showing up at different places. We’ll do them all summer long.”
“When we play ‘Stranglehold,’ and I’m not kidding, first of all, if it comes on the radio, your truck will go faster,” he continued. “But when we play it, nobody’s feet will touch the ground. And that’s just enjoying the sound.”
“Can you imagine the stimuli I have to manage when I actually unleash the lick? It’s out of body,” Nugent explained. “I’m like Bruce Jenner of guitar back then, he was Bruce Jenner. You know, we did a Celebrity Race with Bruce Jenner. Great guy. I love Bruce. I mean, just the wonderful, obviously effervescent masculinity, which I think rubbed off on me. But I think when I beat Bruce Jenner in the off-road races, I think it was the beginning of a problem.”
The discussion marks the 50th-anniversary celebration of ‘Stranglehold,’ a significant milestone in Nugent’s musical journey.
Nugent’s distinctive guitar style emerged from diverse musical influences. Ultimate Guitar revealed his approach stems from groove-driven musicians like James Brown and Wayne Cochran. He also drew inspiration from rock innovators such as Lonnie Mack and Chuck Berry.
Equipment choices shaped his signature sound significantly. Guitar World documented his use of custom guitars, particularly a modified Gibson Byrdland. He paired these instruments with Marshall and Fender amplifiers to create his aggressive fretwork and raw tone.
Nugent has openly expressed admiration for his peers throughout his career. VH Links noted his praise for Eddie Van Halen as “the best guitarist” he’s ever seen. He specifically highlighted Van Halen’s “unbelievable organic sense of rhythm.”
The Motown musical legacy played a crucial role in shaping Nugent’s approach to guitar playing. This influence continues to resonate with audiences five decades after ‘Stranglehold’s’ release.
