Stranglehold (Live 1978)

The Zoo Crew is spinning the epic "Stranglehold (Live 1978)" by Ted Nugent from the iconic Double Live Gonzo! album, and Zoo Freaks, this track is a wild ride packed with stories. In a March 2025 interview with Ultimate Classic Rock, Nugent revealed that his record label nearly axed the song because it lacked a chorus and broke all the rules with its two-chord, 11-minute structure. Defiant as ever, Nugent pushed back, knowing fans went berserk for it live. The song’s bass solo, crafted by Rob Grange, was a bold move—Nugent insisted on it despite industry skepticism about bass solos. He called the solo “mystical” and “bombastically soulful,” a testament to the song’s raw groove. Producer Tom Werman added a unique touch, using tape slap delays to create a wild guitar duet effect, though Nugent later insisted Werman never tweak his sound without permission again.

Another juicy tidbit comes from the song’s creation. Nugent shared that "Stranglehold" began as a spontaneous jam after an Amboy Dukes gig in 1968, evolving into a structured composition with a killer F-sharp/minor seventh bassline. The live version on Double Live Gonzo!, recorded at places like Springfield Civic Center, captures the band’s prime energy with Derek St. Holmes’ powerhouse vocals. Nugent admitted Grange co-wrote the track, though controversially, Grange received no credit or share. Fans on Reddit rave about the song’s timeless grit, with some calling it “pure rock and roll” and one of the greatest guitar songs ever, despite mixed feelings about Nugent’s personal controversies. The track’s cultural reach is massive—it’s been an entrance theme for the NHL’s Chicago Blackhawks and wrestler Kevin Von Erich, and even featured in a Volkswagen Jetta ad.

Ted Nugent, born Theodore Anthony Nugent on December 13, 1948, in Detroit, Michigan, kicked off his musical journey as a teen with a fierce love for rock. He first gained fame as the lead guitarist and occasional vocalist of the Amboy Dukes, a psychedelic and hard rock band formed in 1963. Their 1968 hit “Journey to the Center of the Mind” put them on the map, showcasing Nugent’s fiery Gibson Byrdland riffs. By the mid-’70s, Nugent ditched the Amboy Dukes name and went solo, assembling a killer band with Derek St. Holmes, Rob Grange, and Cliff Davies. His 1975 self-titled debut, featuring “Stranglehold,” launched him into stardom, followed by multi-platinum hits like Free-for-All (1976), Cat Scratch Fever (1977), and Double Live Gonzo! (1978). Known as the Motor City Madman, Nugent’s bluesy, frenzied guitar style and high-octane live shows made him a ’70s rock titan.

Connect with Nugent and his world online. His official website, tednugent.com, is your go-to for tour dates, merch, and his latest rants. Follow him on Facebook for updates and fiery posts, or check out his Instagram for behind-the-scenes shots. On X, Nugent’s unfiltered takes keep the conversation lively. Fans can dive into communities like the 70s Hard Rock Group on Facebook, where Zoo Freaks and others share love for Nugent’s classics. For deeper fan vibes, sites like Ted Nugent’s Fan Club offer exclusive content and a space to connect with fellow rockers.