With hits like “Stranglehold” and “Cat Scratch Fever,” Ted Nugent has amassed legions of fans throughout his six-decade career. With his outspoken beliefs on politics and gun ownership, he’s likely gained just as many critics. For better or for worse, fans have never had to guess what’s on Nugent’s mind. Most recently, “The Nuge” took a shot at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
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Ted Nugent Blasts the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame’s “Inexcusable” Decisions
Still going strong after 60-plus years, Ted Nugent has surprisingly never gained entry into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. And while he doesn’t openly advocate for his spot, the 76-year-old does believe that his career is more worthy than others.
“If you just have a list of credentials, a list of accomplishments, I certainly should have been in before Madonna or Grandmaster Flash,” Nugent said during an interview earlier this month with SiriusXM’s Eddie Trunk. “But I never make the case for me.”
However, he will make the case for artists like REO Speedwagon and Styx—or, as he calls them, real rock and rollers. “It says Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and they’ve basically pissed on Chuck Berry’s grave, the way I look at it,” Nugent said. “It’s inexcusable.”
Nugent went on to reference ’60s rock-and-roll pioneer Chubby Checker, who is on this year’s ballot. “If he’s not in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, but Grandmaster Flash [is]… and I’m not knocking Grandmaster Flash. Maybe I am,” the Motor City legend said. “But there’s a bunch of people that are in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame that it’s just sacrilege. It’s just rude, it’s dishonest, it’s pissing in the face of Chuck Berry and Bo Diddley and Little Richard and all these magnificent real rock-and-roll masters.”
[RELATED: Ted Nugent Celebrates 50th Anniversary of “Stranglehold” With Series of Concerts]
Adios, Mofo? Maybe Not Yet
In April 2023, Ted Nugent announced his Adios Mofo farewell tour. “[The] logistics are just too complicated when you have dogs and grandkids and kids and so many other things,” he said.
Two years later, the Motor City Madman has a smattering of shows planned for 2025. And he’s quick to point out that he never actually used the word “retire.”
.“A lot of people [say], ‘How come you’re gonna play again? You said you were gonna retire.’ I’ve never used the ‘R’ word,” Nugent told Trunk. “I made it quite clear that I still crave to play.”
Featured image by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images
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