WITH VIDEO: Nugent shares his knowledge
On Monday, the Motor City Madman himself stepped onto the gymnasium floor during an assembly at Shrine Catholic Academy and High School in Royal Oak. The students in the audience cheered; the adults went wild.
Detroit native and famous rocker Ted Nugent came to visit his granddaughter, a student at the school, and to deliver a motivational speech to about 150 of his granddaughter’s peers and teachers.
“You children owe me,” he began, after applause had died down. “I got you out of class for this. Say, ‘Thank you, Uncle Ted.’ ”
Nugent, who is known for publicly denouncing the use of drugs, alcohol and tobacco products, conveyed his anti-drug message to the crowd using his fellow musicians as cautionary tales.
The 61-year-old musician cited legendary guitarist Jimi Hendrix, The Who’s drummer Keith Moon and ACDC’s Bon Scott as examples of talented fellow rockers who all chose to abuse drugs and alcohol, and who all died from substance abuse.
“I’m proud to say my music is more intense, my love of music is more intense than ever, my love of life is more intense than ever, which inspires more music that is more intense than ever, because I’ve been 61 years clean and sober,” said Nugent.
“No drugs, no alcohol, no tobacco, no poison. No silly, funny joke called peer pressure. I’m an individual.”
Nugent peppered his speech with solo acoustic renditions of “Johnny B. Good,” “Stranglehold,” “Cat Scratch Fever” and “Fred Bear,” much to the delight of the adults in the audience who whooped and cheered after each performance.
“Not bad for an old guy, huh?” said Nugent while the applause died down. Continued...
Nugent also took time to advocate hunting as a sport, discuss his opinion on gun control and urge children to stay in school, saying: “Without the basics, you got nothin’. You’re a bum.”
At the end of his speech, students participating in the school’s new journalism program were given a chance to ask Nugent a question.
One student asked about his favorite guitar: “Whatever’s handy,” said Nugent. “It’s not about the instrument, it’s about the spirit of the player.”
Another asked for Nugent’s view on global warming, to which he replied: “Global warming is a fraud. Watch Glenn Beck.”
As parting advice for the students who want to become musicians, Nugent had simple advice:
“Practice a minimum of a half hour a day, preferably an hour, and you need to listen to listen to the original masters, especially Chuck Berry.
“And practice, practice, practice, practice, practice, practice.”
On Monday, the Motor City Madman himself stepped onto the gymnasium floor during an assembly at Shrine Catholic Academy and High School in Royal Oak. The students in the audience cheered; the adults went wild.
Detroit native and famous rocker Ted Nugent came to visit his granddaughter, a student at the school, and to deliver a motivational speech to about 150 of his granddaughter’s peers and teachers.
“You children owe me,” he began, after applause had died down. “I got you out of class for this. Say, ‘Thank you, Uncle Ted.’ ”
Nugent, who is known for publicly denouncing the use of drugs, alcohol and tobacco products, conveyed his anti-drug message to the crowd using his fellow musicians as cautionary tales.
The 61-year-old musician cited legendary guitarist Jimi Hendrix, The Who’s drummer Keith Moon and ACDC’s Bon Scott as examples of talented fellow rockers who all chose to abuse drugs and alcohol, and who all died from substance abuse.
“I’m proud to say my music is more intense, my love of music is more intense than ever, my love of life is more intense than ever, which inspires more music that is more intense than ever, because I’ve been 61 years clean and sober,” said Nugent.
“No drugs, no alcohol, no tobacco, no poison. No silly, funny joke called peer pressure. I’m an individual.”
Nugent peppered his speech with solo acoustic renditions of “Johnny B. Good,” “Stranglehold,” “Cat Scratch Fever” and “Fred Bear,” much to the delight of the adults in the audience who whooped and cheered after each performance.
“Not bad for an old guy, huh?” said Nugent while the applause died down.
Nugent also took time to advocate hunting as a sport, discuss his opinion on gun control and urge children to stay in school, saying: “Without the basics, you got nothin’. You’re a bum.”
At the end of his speech, students participating in the school’s new journalism program were given a chance to ask Nugent a question.
One student asked about his favorite guitar: “Whatever’s handy,” said Nugent. “It’s not about the instrument, it’s about the spirit of the player.”
Another asked for Nugent’s view on global warming, to which he replied: “Global warming is a fraud. Watch Glenn Beck.”
As parting advice for the students who want to become musicians, Nugent had simple advice:
“Practice a minimum of a half hour a day, preferably an hour, and you need to listen to listen to the original masters, especially Chuck Berry.
“And practice, practice, practice, practice, practice, practice.”
Comments
The following are comments from the readers. In no way do they represent the view of The Oakland Press or theoaklandpress.com.
doubt wrote on Mar 8, 2010 11:44 PM:
ChickenHawk Supreme wrote on Mar 9, 2010 6:21 AM:
If you are so anti-drug shuldn't you be back in Texas helping your neighbor George W. Bush pull the coke spoon out off his nose? Of course you'd have to pull him out of the bottle of booze he reportedly has crawled into. "
aisa wrote on Mar 9, 2010 8:17 AM:
I see you posted at 5am; on your way to
the union meeting to kiss a-- and learn what to think? "
reader wrote on Mar 9, 2010 8:46 AM:
BillyLee wrote on Mar 9, 2010 9:03 AM:
Donalyn wrote on Mar 9, 2010 9:31 AM:
Conservatives R 2 Faced Losers
You two buffoons are a waste of air and space. Why don't you get off the KoolAid and learn to think for yourself!! "
DeweyOx wrote on Mar 9, 2010 9:36 AM:
L.B. wrote on Mar 9, 2010 9:39 AM:
Bill Cardiff wrote on Mar 9, 2010 10:10 AM:
I take it you are not a liberal since liberals exalt people who fled to Canada to avoid the draft or (like Barack Obama's buddy Bill Ayers) opposed the Vietnam war with terrorist tactics.
Maybe Ted Nugent believed, correctly, that the Vietnam war was being very badly mismanaged and would not be successful. There is nothing hypocritical or cowardly about wanting to choose your battles wisely.
As for the High Times interview. If you only talk to people you agree with, you will never move anyone's opinion. Your argument reminds me of the Pharisees complaining about Jesus talking to tax collectors and harlots. "
Diploma wrote on Mar 9, 2010 10:15 AM:
He did drugs in high school (with my ex husband) got expelled numerous times and didn't graduate.
NOW THAT'S A ROLE MODEL…not! "
Bill Cardiff wrote on Mar 9, 2010 11:29 AM:
Ted Nugent graduated from from St. Viator High School in Arlington Heights, Illinois. His family moved there after leaving Detroit. "
Shrine Student wrote on Mar 9, 2010 12:07 PM:
To Bill wrote on Mar 9, 2010 12:07 PM:
Xepherys wrote on Mar 9, 2010 1:02 PM:
a) I'm a centrist, and think both "political parties" are total bull. Just because the politicians are hypocrites (note proper spelling) doesn't mean the people who fall under their banner are as well.
b) The Oakland Press is radically conservative? Uhm... really? I bet Rush Limbaugh would disagree. And probably that lunatic Ann Coulter would say the Oakland Press is uber-liberal. Maybe just because you don't like an article, you shouldn't apply a label.
c) Do you KNOW how many people dodged the draft during Vietnam. Also, wait... if you're liberal, you should applaud him for doing so. I think YOU are a hypocrite. Also, as a proud veteran of Operation Enduring Freedom, I support those who dodged the draft. Partly because Vietnam was an even bigger C.F. and partly because I don't think most people want to serve next to someone who doesn't want to be there. More warm bodies are never the answer.
Diploma... what's your points? What year was that? That was pretty much just how things were at the time for a LOT of people.
Man, you all need to get over yourselves. "
to Xepherys wrote on Mar 9, 2010 2:24 PM:
Are you condoning that our students of today and our leaders of tomorrow should do drugs and not graduate from High School?
Or are you just sticking up for this man with a big mouth? "
gavatito wrote on Mar 9, 2010 4:32 PM:
we are, n according with him he abuse
drugs n alcohol is this a good sample
for our kids of today n the new generation,please let MR NUGENT TRY TO DO BEST HE CAN. "
Fred Bare wrote on Mar 9, 2010 5:38 PM:
past faults!Why is it you only remember
the bad and never the good?Some people
deserve a second chance.After all how
many times is Kwame going to cost the
Michigan taxpayers? Rock On Mr. Nugent! "
Another Shrine Student wrote on Mar 9, 2010 6:51 PM:
Get over yourselves. "
ted nugents granddaughter wrote on Mar 9, 2010 8:16 PM:
Shrine Student wrote on Mar 9, 2010 8:27 PM:
I am glad he talked about drugs and alcohol, it is good for kids to see and hear from a celebrity who is able to stand in front of them and say he has stayed away from those things. However, when he begins to get political, that is not something kids can just digest and form their own opinion on. "
No drugs wrote on Mar 10, 2010 4:26 AM:
Shrine Mom wrote on Mar 10, 2010 9:45 AM:
Ted Nugent came to speak to kids. His message was positive about addictions and about perseverance, whether you are an aspiring musician or athlete or scholar- practice, practicie,practice!
He being free to voice his political view is a great lesson on the freedom of this country- freedom of speech and the ability to make choices. I don't believe he told the kids they'd burn in hell if they weren't on the same political page as he is. I think he takes his celebrity and uses it for good, inspiration, and community good. Look up what he actually does for his community, as well as other commjunities all over. You'll be proud he is from Michigan, that he cares about and supports his family, his community and his country. Rock On NUG!!!!!!
And kudos to Shrine for this special day. My son will remember forever!!!! "
White Wolf wrote on Mar 11, 2010 1:09 PM:
I find amusing that Ted Nugent(Who i respect) mentions people like Jimi Hendrix, The Who’s drummer Keith Moon and ACDC’s Bon Scott. But he fails to mention Metal Artists have avoided Drugs, Alcohol and Tobacco, they are: Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley of KISS, Ian Gillan of Deep Purple, Metal legend, Ronny James Dio. Just to name a few. Let's not forget that Ted was addicted to sex for years, so i don't he's in a position to blast people like Hendrix. "
to Shrine Mom wrote on Mar 11, 2010 3:52 PM:
If he is going to stand in front of students to preach no drugs or alcohol, he should at least say in his Grandpa Teddy voice “now kiddies, don’t do as I did, do as I say…!!!” or better yet “I did it ALL and look at me now. Baaaahhhhaaaa!” I would respect him more.
If you have skeletons in your closet, you’d best never open the door. "
Hey liberal shrine student wrote on Mar 12, 2010 7:42 PM:
An Observer wrote on Mar 13, 2010 10:24 PM:
Why is this? Just a simple question. "
Student in the stands wrote on Mar 14, 2010 2:25 PM:
Another Mom wrote on Mar 15, 2010 8:09 AM:
to Student in the stands wrote on Mar 15, 2010 12:16 PM:
Maybe there are people in this world that know he is lying when he says no drugs or alcohol. That they personally did both with him.
Maybe that is why he is considered an idiot by some. "
Not a Nugent Fan wrote on Mar 17, 2010 10:08 PM:
DJStu wrote on Apr 7, 2010 6:25 PM:
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