I saw Ted Nugent and ZZ Top play at the TD Waterhouse Center last night. My mom and dad bought tickets for it a few months ago, my dad being a huge ZZ Top fan and my mom being dutiful and loving and willing to go to a concert she didn’t care about to make him happy. Unfortunately my mom came down with the flu a few days ago and was in no shape whatsoever to go. My brother, definitely a bigger fan, had to work until after the concert would have started, and thus the $50 floor ticket passed down to yours truly.
ZZ Top was absolutely incredible. I doubt they’ve lost a beat in the last thirty years. They simply came out kicked ass for ninety minutes. I’m not too familiar with most of the music, but they played “La Grange” and “Cheap Sunglasses” and a few other tunes I recognized, as well as some tracks of their new album, Mescalero.
Ted Nugent, on the other hand, sucked. Actually he wasn’t terrible, but none of his material was particularly original. He could have basically played the same two minute guitar riff over and over for an hour and I wouldn’t have noticed. Nugent was also the typically neo-conservative good ‘ol boy southern rocker, who blindly supports George W. Bush today but wouldn’t have voted for Nixon if their life depended on it back in 1972. Between dedicating a song called “Kiss My Ass” to the Dixie Chicks (but making sure to talk shit about the French, the Germans, the United Nations and Jesse Jackson along the way) and shooting a giant cutout of Saddam Hussein with a compound bow, I came away feeling like I had just watched the Republican National Convention set to music. Maybe the RNC could get him to do a set in 2004. That would be cool.
Here is the question I walked away with: can someone tell me the difference between 10,000 Americans cheering Ted Nugent as he shoots an effigy of Saddam Hussein with an arrow any different than 10,000 Iraqis cheering as they burn an effigy of George W. Bush? I think the only difference is that the Americans paid a pretty penny for admission, whereas a street protest is a walk-up affair by definition.
But we still occupy the moral high ground, right?
I’m not defending Nugent - I think both right and left have some characters they’d prefer weren’t purporting to represent their views. However, are you honestly drawing a moral equivalence between Hussein and Bush?
Left by Dan on June 21st, 2003
Oh, no no no. I’m drawing equivalence between the acts. What’s the difference between a bunch of Americans doing that to a leader we dislike and a bunch of Iraqis doing that to a leader they dislike? My point is that so many people watch demonstrations like that on the news and react with disgust, but when basically the same thing happens here everyone cheers. I suppose it’s just human nature, but it was a little disturbing.
Left by John on June 21st, 2003
Nugent’s politics has nothing to do with his talent as one of the greatest rock guitarists alive. I too disagree with Ted’s politics but listen to his attitude in his music. Ted is a guitarist’s guitarist. What you witnessed was a great show that you should have relished every minute. I wish Ted would put away his politics but I will go see him perform at every opportunity.
Left by Joe on September 3rd, 2003
John, the only thing I can think of is that the Arab people seem to be more likely to actualize their desire for death and destruction on a personal level than the American people, because of all the terrorism. Then again, I guess one could say that the Americans are actualizing their desire for death and destruction by going to war.
Hmmm… maybe we feel like war is not as bad as terrorism. Then it becomes this thing where we feel right because ‘we’re not as bad as them.’
Left by David on September 6th, 2003
one of the greatest guitarist?!?!? oh please, you gotta be kidding me. Nugent is the most derivative, BORING freakin’ tired act out there. All his crap sounds the same.
Left by Prince Roy on September 13th, 2003
I stumbled on this site by accident. I do however have to respond to your left wing question. The difference is, the Arab people don’t have a choice…we do.
We can walk in there and cheer anyone or anything we want. Those people are told who to cheer for. If they disagree they DIE!
Left by Mark Henderson on January 15th, 2004
hi ted you good and we love you. i just had to say hi to some family. at last i think your family lol. good luck make good not war. arab dont have a choice but here in american they should
Left by manna nugent on March 1st, 2004
what are ted nugent’s mom and dads names
Left by manna on April 10th, 2004
Maybe Nugent should read some Michael Moore or John Pilger. When I bought the Damn Yankees video a few years ago, he warned “the World States” to “not fuck with America” while declaring what a dangerous “motherfucker” he was “with one string or six” . I don’t think I need to explain to you what we may think of this infantile behaviour in the UK.
A warning to the US! Get people like Nugent to shut up. Read more Michael Moore and John Pilger. Read more European history, it’s where you come from. Question authority and the media. Stop believing your better than everyone else. Check out http://www.sorryeverybody.com. These guys have done more for American European relations than anything else that I can think of. Believe me, Europe is not impressed with Nygent or his ilk.
Left by David McHoul on November 12th, 2004
A professor of classics at McGill christ University and the author of Autobiography christ of Red, a National Book Critics jesus Circle nominee, Carson has rapidly cross become one of North America’s most bible acclaimed academic poets. But even tattoo though she spangles her work with holly
Left by jerusalem on December 3rd, 2004
I personally think I stink of bob
Left by Amboy Duke on March 5th, 2005
David, that is so typically European, assuming that the rest of the world gives a shit what Europeans think. News flash, the world does not revolve around Europe. As far as Michael Moore he can move to Europe or Canada or wherever he so desires, I know many Americans who would be happy to see him go. (And this is in liberal San Francisco!) If you have an argument, fine, but don’t put Europe on a pedestal. You are over taxed and just as screwed up as America, but due to your rampant social programs and drug abuse you just don’t feel like you are.
Left by Jon S. on February 6th, 2006
Hi Jon,
Sorry to see that my email offended you so much but delighted to hear that you know a lot about Europe and the histroy that gave the region it’s culture. You should know, because it’s Europes history that led to the birth of the US and the idea of liberty and choices for all. Didn’t look like everyone in your country feels that they are liberated though, when we saw the police being shot at in New Orleans and the rioting that followed that disaster.
I actually don’t give a shit where I live. I certainly don’t put “Europe” on a pedastal and don’t even regard the UK (where I live) as particularly European. More of a 51st state, controlled and manipulated by your wonderful, powerful, militaristic and morally upright superpower. There are many differences between our races though, one being our negligence in desiring to fly our flag above our houses like all of you guys. That sort of “I love the flag” nationalism died after WW2 here. Glad to hear your so confident in your leaders and that you feel justified in adopting this 19th century attitude to the rest of the World. I’m sure you’ll be delighted when you eventually get your American Empire. The British gave their’s back you know!
Peace
David
Left by David McHoul on March 4th, 2006
David: I’d like to congratulate you on actually returning to this post! For the most part these old entries that receive comments tend to be lots of passing shots in the dark. Folks comment, then leave. Nice to see you actually returned.
I’m sure I don’t have to point out to you that Jon S. is hardly representative of what “most” americans think. Or, more accurately, even those that might agree with some of what he said wouldn’t chose to do so in such a rude manner.
I’ll probably close this discussion after this comment, but it’s certainly not to keep folks like yourself from returning and posting here. Take care and thanks for stopping in. Hope we see you around more.
Left by Jordan on March 22nd, 2006