Recently attending Raised on Radio podcast, Ted Nugent talked about why he didn’t sing his songs until later in his career, even though he has a wide-ranging singing voice.
Nugent is regarded as one of the most talented guitar players in rock history and has an exceptional relationship with his devoted fanbase. Besides his ongoing music career, Nugent is also an active social media user and often expresses his views on rock music and musicians during his frequent Facebook live streams.
The guitarist is also known for his wide range of vocals, but he often preferred to tour with other vocalists who would sing his songs. He didn’t sing much until later in his career, which allowed him to collaborate with vocalists like Derek St. Holmes, Charlie Huhn, Brian Howe, and Meat Loaf, who would take over the vocal duties.
In his recent interview, he addressed the often asked question regarding why he didn’t want to sing, although he has a pleasant voice. Nugent answered this question by starting to describe his guitar obsession. When he was still a teenager, he was in awe of the instrument, and he formed a cover band as a kid and took the guitar duties on himself.
Hence, another musician was filling in the role he didn’t prioritize. This obsession continued for decades, and he is still as in love with the same instrument he fell for as a kid.
Ted Nugent began telling his reasons by stating:
“Growing up in Detroit, I was obsessed. 73 years later, I remain obsessed with the guitar. I am fascinated by the uncharted realms that are available on that short, little, tiny guitar neck. So, being obsessed with the guitar playing. Remember I was born right after Les Paul electrified the dam, and Chuck Berry, Bo Diddley, Lonnie Mack, and Duane Eddy and the ventures they taught us what to do with it immediately.
I mean, what those guys did back in the 1950s, is what we all aspire to every day today. I was so busy making musical escapades and art patterns bastardizing Honky Tong and Boogie Woogie, which is what George Harrison and Keith Richards and everybody else does. I’d be interested, I become like a mad scientist.“
Nugent continued to make his point by saying that he has worked with many talented vocalists throughout his career. However, he has always wanted his songs to be appropriately represented, and more often than not, the other singers would do a better job than him. However, there were times that he needed to step up since there were songs only he could sing.
For instance, Ted Nugent said that Derek St. Holmes was a fantastic vocalist, but he wouldn’t be able to perform the rocker’s classics, such as ‘Wang Dang Sweet Pootang,’ ‘Motor City Madhouse’ or ‘Tango Tango.’ Nugent believes that he has a ‘certain touch’ and is naturally the best representative of the songs he has created.
Ted Nugent expressed his thoughts on his singing as follows:
“The singers that I’ve been surrounded with. Think of Derek St. Holmes’ performance ‘Stranglehold.’ He was something else, but he wouldn’t be able to sing ‘Wang Dang Sweet Pootang,’ ‘Motor City Madhouse’ or ‘Tango Tango.’ I have a certain touch, gentlemen.
Not only that but, I really like to express my lyrics, those are my lyrics, and I want to unleash them in my best version of Little Richard possible. So it’s always a spontaneous, individual choice because of my compositions. What I think will be the best representative of the song I’ve created.
If I got a guy like Meat Loaf, Derek St. Holmes, or Tommy Shaw, the Damn Yankees. I’m not going to try to sing. Sure he doesn’t want to try to sing like me, he might hurt himself. The point is, it’s always a point in time you file for your hunches.”
You can listen to the entire interview below.
