CARMINE APPICE On TED NUGENT: ‘The Guy’s Got Balls’

In a recent interview with the Brutally Delicious podcast, Carmine Appice discussed Ted Nugent‘s guest appearance on CACTUS‘s latest album, Temple Of Blues – Influences & Friends, released on June 7 by Cleopatra Records.

“He’s a really great guitar player, in my eyes,” Carmine said (as transcribed by Blabbermouth). “And people put him down for his politics. But you know what? He’s very vocal about it, and I kind of agree with him. To be that vocal… It’s America. To be able to have your freedom to say whatever you want and do whatever you want. And his audience is right with him. I mean, I saw him play a gig [where he changed the lyrics to his song ‘Come And Take It’ to reflect his disdain for the current U.S. president]. It was, like, ‘F**k Joe Biden.’ The whole audience was saying ‘F**k Joe Biden.’ I said, ‘Wow.’ I said, ‘That’s ballsy.’ I mean, the guy’s got balls. I appreciate that.”

Last October, Greg Prato of Songfacts asked Tom Werman, who produced several of Nugent‘s classic early albums, if he believes Ted‘s guitar skills are often overshadowed by his well-publicized political views.

“Yes. I do think he’s among the better guitarists I’ve worked with — or the best,” Werman said. “He has his own unique style. I think he was respected in the beginning, but when he started being political, that definitely overshadowed his guitar playing. You say Ted Nugent‘s name now and people only think of one thing, which is his political posture.”

“I’m a Democrat, and sometimes my friends will say, ‘You still talk to Ted Nugent? How can you even work with him?’ And I explain that we got along really well musically and otherwise. We didn’t talk about politics. He’s got a lot of integrity, especially compared to some of the other individuals I’ve worked with. He’s a talented guy and he loves life. I think he’s way too outspoken, but that’s what he feels he must do. We don’t relate on that level.”