His opus about hunting-- "Fred Bear"-- says all you need to know about Ted Nugent.
The nearly eight-minute tune encapsulates Nugent's enthusiasm for the outdoors and hunting, with a great rock 'n' roll beat and even manages to throw in an anti-drug message.
Those traits combine to make "Uncle" Ted a top concert draw whenever he tours. He'll prove it again Wednesday, Aug. 17 when he performs at the Upper Peninsula State Fair.
Besides "Fred Bear," the Nuge is known for other FM radio mainstays such as the catchy "Cat Scratch Fever" and "Wango Tango."
Born in Detroit, the heavy-metal guitarist moved to Chicago in the mid-Sixties and formed the Amboy Dukes. Although the group had a smash with "Journey to the Center of Your Mind," Nugent remains strongly against illicit drugs. He returned to Detroit after just two years in the Windy City.
An avid big game hunter and an active supporter of the National Rifle Association, the "Motor City Madman" was also a member of the supergroup "Damn Yankees."
Nugent has performed in the U. P. before and when he tucks his long hair up under his hat can blend into any camo-wearing Yooper crowd.
Proving his love for the U. P., Ted contributed a track called "Comin' Down Hard" to the soundtrack of "Escanaba in Da Moonlight," the hunting comedy beloved by virtually everyone north of the Big Mac bridge.
If you want to see Ted's wildman stage antics in person, reserved seats are $24 and available at the ticket office at the Fairgrounds, as well as the Island Resort & Casino.
If country music is more to your liking, duo Montgomery Gentry will appear at the Fair Thursday, Aug. 18. Tickets are $29.
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STAIND'S NEXT DUE
Due to hit retail on Tuesday, Aug. 9, "Chapter V" is the cleverly titled fifth disc released by Staind since their debut in 1999. The metal-alternative-post grunge band originally found fame through heavy touring in the 1990s including sets with Limp Bizkit. The new album follows 1999's "Dysfunction," and "Break the Cycle," which went to number one on the charts in 2001. An "MTV Unplugged" DVD appeared in 2002, while "14 Shades of Grey" was released two years ago.
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OZZFEST 2005 ROLLS ON
Metalheads are swarming to OZZfest 2005 as the extravaganza makes its way across the country, with a stop at Alpine Valley slated for Saturday, Aug. 6. The show at East Troy, WI features numerous bands and a re-united Black Sabbath with frontman and tour namesake Ozzy Osbourne at the helm.
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FASTEST DOWNLOAD
The version of ''Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band" performed by Paul McCartney and U2 to open the Live 8 series of concerts last month quickly became the number one downloaded song. The song was made available via computer just 45 minutes after it was performed.
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Next week's column will take a look at U. P. State Fair headliner "Seether."
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I've enjoyed rock music and writing since I was a teenager in the 60s. I feel lucky to have been around when rock's greatest stars created their most enduring hits. At the same time I found I enjoyed writing, as well. I worked on my high school newspaper and magazine, was editor of several college publications and earned a bachelor's degree from Central Michigan University in 1973. I worked for the daily newspaper in my hometown after graduating, becoming managing editor after a few years. By the 1980s, I moved into public relations. In 1985, my wife Sue and I opened a retail music store, The Record Rack, which we still own. Rock 'n' roll has been integral to me and for the last 2O years I've been earning my living from it even though I don't have a musical bone in my body. In recent years, I've also I edited a small local magazine and launched a micro FM radio station. Now, I'm finally combining my love of writing and rock 'n' roll. I can't sing a note, but I know what I like. I'll tell you all about it when you read on. I hope you have as much enjoyment reading these installments as I've had writing them.
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