“Uncle Ted,” “the Motor City Madman,” and “the Nuge”—as Ted Nugent is referred to by his “shitkickers”—celebrated Ted 250 at Freedom Hill Friday night with real American rock and roll. The homecoming show did not disappoint. Nugent, who was born in Redford, Michigan, and grew up in Detroit, and hometown (drummer) Jason Hartless of Fraser, Michigan both receiving a very nice Hometown welcome.
The Stranglehold 50th Anniversary tour kicked off with Kurt Deimer known for his deep voice and stage presence brought the Grog. “A Grog is Born” his sophomore album via his own Bald Man Records supercharged the early arriving folks on a warm sticky night in Michigan including myself. This was my first time covering the band. I didn’t know much about the band, I will be going forward what I do know is Deimer, delivers a high octane set his strong vocals ring out like a church bell on a Sunday morning. Guitar rips from both guitarists keep his fans rocking and cheering and singing all set long.
After a short cool down it was time for the Motor City Madman to take control of his shitkickers and turn Freedom Hill into a Free-For-All. The stage draped with American flags along with the usual white-tailed deer skulls hanging on stage. Nugent was greeted with that Michigan spirit walking onto the stage taking a set and opening with an acoustic version of ” Fred Bear.” Remember how the night started. There was no set list to follow just some ass kicking Michigan rock and roll. Nugent follows up with a masterful rendition of the Star-Spangled Banner chants of USA ringing out taking the Freedom Hill crowd into “Free-for-All.” Nugent even shared the spotlight with his beloved dogs bringing them on stage during “Fred Bear” referring to them as the greatest hunting dogs in the world.
Nugent went deep all night long and we were ok with that. Going back to 1978 with “Wang Dang Sweet Poontang” Hartless hitting us with a little drum solo while new bass player from Waco Texas Johnny “Big” Schoen did a little bass solo. Nugent letting Freedom Hill he’s feeling good tonight ripping that Michigan guitar into a “Sweet Poontang” solo. It feels good to come back to real Michigan. It feels good to get out of control. I love to be out of control! The nostalgic era was hitting us hard like 1975 hard with ” Stormtroopin.” The shitkickers in attendance brought their own guitars, the iconic air guitars playing along with Uncle Ted.
Nugent went Motown on us with a little snippet of “My Girl” after all we are the “Motown” capital of the world. As we get older we all enjoy a trip or two down nostalgic lane with some good soul music. Like a runaway train you were hit with “Dog Eat Dog” leaving that Motown era behind and taking you back to your high school days in 80’s, well for most of his fans in attendance at least. Nugent switches out to his Les Paul and plays “Hey Baby” it was 1975 all over again like we never left it the guitar playing sounded the same. Nugent takes a minute or two and talks about your vote, your vote can make Michigan better roars follow. Nugent welcomes John James to the stage to talk a minute chants of “USA” break out. Mike Bouchard standing with James talks about a better Michigan. James and Bouchard walk off stage the motor city madman rips into “Good Friends and a Bottle of Wine” off the Weekend Warriors album. “Nugent shreds a beautiful guitar solo, vintage like a good bottle of wine.” Ted Nugent concerts are littered with guitar rips and shreds.
“That’s how it’s done, you f****** Michigan shitkickers!—I love Michigan. I love my home. I’ll fight for you!” Nugent went deep with the Amboy Dukes classic 57 years deep to be exact with “Journey to the Center of the Mind” and “The Great White Buffalo” what a treat that was leading into some “Cat Scratch Fever” a classic crowd sing-a-long’s. If that didn’t stagger you Nugent breaks out with my favorite “Stranglehold” Johnny “Big” takes lead on vocals cell phones lights were shining bright. Uncle Ted’s guitar playing is like a hypnotist, putting you into one of those deep trance’s one you don’t mind being in. Chants of “USA” rang out once again. “The crowd, including myself, were definitely caught in a stranglehold, baby.” The night ended the way it started, with “Fred Bear,” only this time it wasn’t acoustic. It was that Spirit of the Wild calling, that Michigan spirit. “Horns up, America! Keep rocking!”
