I adore classic rock music from the late sixties and the seventies and Ted Nugent is one of the stars that burst onto the scenes in the mid seventies when I started liking my music loud and heavy.
Differentiation By Who
Although I’m currently working with a young soul singer in the UK who has released one album so far to develop a more distinctive sound, image and general presence, you don’t have to want to be a rock or pop star to benefit from developing a strong personal brand.
It’s what I call differentiation by who.
I see it in the world of business advice and self help but it’s also there with celebrity cooks who can build chains of restaurants based on personal celebrity.
In fact, differentiation by who in terms of personal branding is open to any business which can build a strong element of “know, like and trust” with the business owner or key staff members.
Ted Nugent Is A Great Example Of A Personal Brand
According to his website www.tednugent.com
“In the past 50 years, Ted Nugent has done things that most musicians could only ever dream of, including setting attendance records at venues worldwide in 2005 and ’06, was the top grossing act in the world in 1977, ’78 & ’79, and has sold over 30 million records worldwide.”
The Void In the Hard Rock World
In the mid seventies the big British hard rock bands of the early seventies were in decline – Led Zeppelin, Deep Purple and Black Sabbath had all peaked and while punk rock was the “in thing” in 1977 – there was a gap for someone to fill.
That someone was Ted Nugent with his blockbusting first three albums – Ted Nugent, Free For All and Cat Scratch Fever along with other acts like Kiss who are also worth talking about in terms of differentiation.
Ted Nugent – The Wild Man Of Rock’n’Roll
I always saw Ted Nugent as the wild man of rock’n’roll but his main nicknames were:
- The Detroit Madman
- The Motor City Mad Man
- The Nuge
I think it’s time for an example of why – this is Stranglehold from 1976.
If It’s Too Loud, You’re Too Old
That’s Ted Nugent’s music philosophy summed up in a few words and the phrase was used to promote on of his mid seventies tours.
I must admit that I turn the volume down a few notches now but his music still gives me an adrenalin rush. His typical sound was fast, heavy and raw.
He’s still a top performer now as this video of Cat Scratch Fever shows from 2010.
Ted Nugent Had A Strong Visual Image
A key element of the Ted Nugent personal brand was how he looked.
Long hair was a hard rock requirement and facial hair was common but no one else wore animal skins and loin cloths.
Ted Nugent And His Controversial Views
Another part of his personal brand was the way he courted controversy with some views that people found offensive while others lined up in support.
- A strong anti-drugs and anti-alcohol stance
. - Pro-guns and the right to bear arms
. - Pro-hunting – he even owns a hunting lodge according to Wikipedia. I can’t agree with him on this as I believe canned hunting is sick. I can admire the bravery of the old Maasai warrior tradition of killing a lion on his own before he can become man because I know how big lions are and I wouldn’t do it but shooting a defenceless animal that can’t escape is wrong.
. - Right wing political views
In The World Of The Bland, Ted Nugent Stands Out
You don’t have to like Ted Nugent or his music but he does create a lasting impression and stands for something.
His enduring success show that what he does works.
