I definitely agree that if you can sell a product to a lot of people, you are doing something right.

"Maybe his music/ guitar playing is not as technically savvy as maybe as someone who played in the ABB. Not a lot are, so do we dismiss someone because they're style of music/ playing is a little different or we don't like it or their view points ? That would be ignorant to do so."

I don't completely dismiss music that I dislike. I don't like rap, but I recognize that many rappers are talented. I don't enjoy opera, but clearly opera singers are amazing. I DO think Ted Nugent is technically accomplished; he can play very fast and very clean. What I have heard of his music has always sounded largely derivative. I feel the same way about the Vinnie Vincent Invasion. Vinnie is technically adept, but I find his playing to be soulless wankery. Of course that is my opinion, but all we HAVE here are opinions.

"You cant compare Derek to Angus, Ted to Django, Keith Richards to Steve Vai, and etc. Sure you can say maybe the TTB are more diverse and creative in they're music, but that does not make them a better of band than others, just different."

I would not compare dissimilar musicians, but I would compare similar ones. Ted is a blues-based riff-rocking guitar hero; he covers territory similarly mined by someone like Leslie West. Because my time and resources are limited, not infinite, I would prefer to spend it on what I consider superior examples of a genre. I'll listen to Leslie or Jimi.

You argue that being more creative doesn't make one artist better than another; I'd argue that it does. Creativity is something I value highly in music. Being creative impresses me more than being derivative does. Our standards vary there, and that's fine.

As I said earlier, I can enjoy some derivative stuff. I'll happily stomp along to some Kingdom Come or Lenny Kravitz at a bar. I probably won't put it on at home though.

I'll offer some words from Derek Trucks here:

"I think it is really important the music you put in your head when you are a musician. If you are an athlete you have to be careful what you put in your body and I think it’s the same with music. I notice I’ll be playing and a melody will come out and I’ll recognise it and later it will dawn on me it was on a record I listened to five years ago which has been slowly seeping out.

So if you listen to a lot of lightweight music done for the wrong reasons, that has to have an effect on you as a musician. It’s important to fill your head with ideas that carry some weight."

I will check out "Hibernation" based on the description on this thread, though!

Try being a little open minded and separating the art from the politics. Alec Baldwin - enjoyable actor. Real life assh0le. Barbara Streisand one of the greatest female voices. Real life assh0le. Uncle Ted should just STFU, but he puts on a good show and knows his way around a fretboard.

Excellent post! I struggle with this very thing constantly. I was talking about Casey Affleck's great performance in Manchester by the Sea and someone brought up the fact that he is accused of beating a woman. Should that take away from his performance or not? What about Roman Polanski or Woody Allen, both accused of terrible crimes?
And rock stars, well, they have their fare share, as well. James Brown (allegedly) beat his wife, but he is the godfather of soul! Michael Jackson may or may not have been inappropriate with little boys, but there's no denying his great music. I love Pearl Jam and Springsteen, who both espouse political beliefs both on and off stage but I agree with them. What if I didn't? Would I still like them? Why is it that i can't listen to uncle Ted just because of his politics? I overlook some things but others I can't? It's a constant struggle and not only do I not know where to draw the line, I often feel I draw it somewhat arbitrarily? Others thoughts on the subject?

Ahole artists should keep their politics in house and not bash our politicians overseas. I despised the Dixie Chicks for their BS rant and President Bush and now Bruce Springsteen bashed Trump in other countries, The 4th Dixie Chick. I never really dug him and I'm from NJ. I saw a Vote For Change tour with Bruce, James Taylor, Bonnie Raitt, Jackson Browne, plus. They were backing John Kerry. Does that tell you how good their political choices are. Entertainers should just entertain and leave their BS rambles to be only heard by their spouses.

Ted should leave his politics at home too. Nugent had some skills. He could also be a self proclaimed Casanova. He opened up for Aerosmith in the mid 80's. He had his theatrical show going on with a Tarzan style entry with a nightie clad beauty in his arms. Just goofy fun rock.

I remember Meatloaf opening up for the Allman Brother's in the late 80's/early 90's at MSG in NYC. Toy Caldwell came out and jammed during Southbound and possibly one other tune. Toy had a syuit and a 10 gallon hat, I love and miss the man still. Anyway Meatloaf had his theatrical gig fgoing on that night. His Paradise By The Dashboard Light was downright raunchy.

Personally I can't get over his hypocrisy and constant drum beat for war anywhere while at the same time he readily admits he ducked serving in Vietnam. Something about that just rubs me the wrong way and thus i refuse to give him a penny of my money.....Oh, and his music just doesn't do much for me. Good guitarist for sure, but his songs just don't grab me.

[Edited on 3/25/2017 by Chain]

If you think Ted Nugent is an artist worthy of your attention or your money, you're an idiot.

By that measure Frank Zappa was an idiot for investing in Ted Nugent, and signing him to his DiscReet Records label and producing the last two Amboy Dukes records.

eff Ted.

eff Ted.

nice to see ya...

been a while.

Ahole artists should keep their politics in house and not bash our politicians overseas. I despised the Dixie Chicks for their BS rant and President Bush and now Bruce Springsteen bashed Trump in other countries, The 4th Dixie Chick. I never really dug him and I'm from NJ. I saw a Vote For Change tour with Bruce, James Taylor, Bonnie Raitt, Jackson Browne, plus. They were backing John Kerry. Does that tell you how good their political choices are. Entertainers should just entertain and leave their BS rambles to be only heard by their spouses.

Ted should leave his politics at home too. Nugent had some skills. He could also be a self proclaimed Casanova. He opened up for Aerosmith in the mid 80's. He had his theatrical show going on with a Tarzan style entry with a nightie clad beauty in his arms. Just goofy fun rock.

I remember Meatloaf opening up for the Allman Brother's in the late 80's/early 90's at MSG in NYC. Toy Caldwell came out and jammed during Southbound and possibly one other tune. Toy had a syuit and a 10 gallon hat, I love and miss the man still. Anyway Meatloaf had his theatrical gig fgoing on that night. His Paradise By The Dashboard Light was downright raunchy.

Nice post,and I agree about leaving the politics at home. Like I said earlier alot of people don't like Ted because of his views and that's fine. I would not walk across the street to see Springsteen and that has nothing to do with his political opinions.

[Edited on 3/25/2017 by jszfunk]

I would rather eat maggots.

. I agree , what an as wipe like his boyfriend 45!!!!