Ted Nugent “Double Live Gonzo”

Today’s Cool Album of the Day (#199 in the Series, and #7 in the Live, Saturday Night Series) is Ted Nugent, Double Live Gonzo.

Ted Nugent lit up radio the mid to late seventies.  He released three huge albums after leaving the Amboy Dukes. They were the self-titled, Ted Nugent (1975), Free For All (1976) and Cat Scratch Fever (1977). Or as my dear friend ‘Hoss’ used to call it, Rat’s Ass Fever.  He always had an interesting way of renaming things you could say!

Building on the success of those three albums, Uncle Ted released his classic live album, Double Live Gonzo.

Released in 1978, Double Live Gonzo was another hit. It featured most of the best songs from those three earlier albums.  It also featured a lengthy rendition of the Amboy Duke’s,’ Great White Buffalo.’

‘The Nuge’ opens the live set with ‘Just What The Doctor Ordered.’ He then works his way through most of his fan’s favorites, ‘Yank Me, Crank Me; Baby Please Don’t Go, Wang Dang Sweeeeeeeet Poooontang, Rat’s Ass Fever’ and of course, ‘Stranglehold.’

Double Live Gonzo was produced by Ric Browde. Supposedly, he and Ted couldn’t stand each other. But they obviously were able to work together.

Band members for this tour were of course Ted on his hollowed body guitar, bass and vocals; Cliff Davies on drums and vocals; Rob Grange on bass and last but not least, Derek St. Holmes (not to be confused with David St. Hubbins) on guitar and lead vocals. This would be Derek’s last appearance as ‘The Voice’ of Ted Nugent’s band. He left before the next album to pursue a solo career. He would never be heard from again. We’ll not until he returned to the band in the mid-nineties.

Double Live Gonzo peaked at #13 on the Billboard Top 200 Album chart.

‘Yank Me Crank’ Me peaked at #58 on the Billboard Hot 100 Singles chart.

TED NUGENT OFFICIAL WEB SITE: www.TedNugent.com

BONUS VIDEOS: These are from 1978. The quality isn’t nearly as good.