Ted Nugent, then 17, formed the band when he moved to Chicago in the 60's. … Read Full Bio ↴Ted Nugent, then 17, formed the band when he moved to Chicago in the 60's. Nugent had heard of a Detroit Rolling Stones cover band called Amboy Dukes that had just broken up, and took the name for his new band. The Detroit Amboy Dukes had actually themselves stolen the name from a Brooklyn street gang of the same name (see Louis Buchalter). A book called The Amboy Dukes about gang lifestyle was also made. In interviews Ted Nugent said he has been given the book on many occasions but still hasn't gotten around to reading it.[1]
The Amboy Dukes released a number of albums with Mainstream Records. Having run their course with Mainstream Records, they signed with Polydor Records around 1970. At this time Amboy Dukes song titles would display such period flavor as "Why Is a Carrot More Orange Than an Orange" and "The Inexhaustible Quest for the Cosmic Cabbage"; the latter number was a multi-part epic that incorporated both Béla Bartók and The Beach Boys.
The band quickly grew tired of Polydor Records and signed with Frank Zappa's DisCreet (Warner Brothers) label. They released two more albums and then broke up.
While the other Amboy Dukes receded into obscurity, Nugent, as the "Motor City Madman", became a very successful and quite visible solo musician, hunter, and political controversialist.
The disparity in career outcomes has led to differing recollections among the former Dukes about what happened during the band's lifetime. Nugent claims to have been the leader of the band, and at times the "babysitter" for the rest of the band, and that when he took a few months off the band fell apart. And despite the apparent drug references of many of their songs, Nugent fervently denies significant drug use.
The other members of the band, such as Steve Farmer, viewed the band differently. They say guitarist Farmer and singer Drake were the main songwriters and the de facto leaders of the Amboy Dukes; Nugent was not the "leadman". In an interview , Farmer deprecated Nugent's creative role in the Amboy Dukes, and mentioned some rather embarrassing personal details about Nugent. From Farmer's point of view, Nugent was the one who needed babysitting - he was a spoiled brat and none too intelligent. Farmer did emphasize that Nugent was the only member not involved in drug activity and promiscuous sex with groupies, so on that matter everyone is in agreement.
The Amboy Dukes released a number of albums with Mainstream Records. Having run their course with Mainstream Records, they signed with Polydor Records around 1970. At this time Amboy Dukes song titles would display such period flavor as "Why Is a Carrot More Orange Than an Orange" and "The Inexhaustible Quest for the Cosmic Cabbage"; the latter number was a multi-part epic that incorporated both Béla Bartók and The Beach Boys.
The band quickly grew tired of Polydor Records and signed with Frank Zappa's DisCreet (Warner Brothers) label. They released two more albums and then broke up.
While the other Amboy Dukes receded into obscurity, Nugent, as the "Motor City Madman", became a very successful and quite visible solo musician, hunter, and political controversialist.
The disparity in career outcomes has led to differing recollections among the former Dukes about what happened during the band's lifetime. Nugent claims to have been the leader of the band, and at times the "babysitter" for the rest of the band, and that when he took a few months off the band fell apart. And despite the apparent drug references of many of their songs, Nugent fervently denies significant drug use.
The other members of the band, such as Steve Farmer, viewed the band differently. They say guitarist Farmer and singer Drake were the main songwriters and the de facto leaders of the Amboy Dukes; Nugent was not the "leadman". In an interview , Farmer deprecated Nugent's creative role in the Amboy Dukes, and mentioned some rather embarrassing personal details about Nugent. From Farmer's point of view, Nugent was the one who needed babysitting - he was a spoiled brat and none too intelligent. Farmer did emphasize that Nugent was the only member not involved in drug activity and promiscuous sex with groupies, so on that matter everyone is in agreement.
You Talk Sunshine I Breathe Fire
The Amboy Dukes Lyrics
We have lyrics for these tracks by The Amboy Dukes:
Baby Please Don Baby please don't go Baby please don't go Baby please…
Colors If my mind descends To reach the limit of no end I…
Conclusion Now my journey is ended And I'm back where I began For…
Death Is Life Things are getting much worse People will actually curse L…
Flight of the Byrd Look what you've done You've paved my way (?) path I know…
Gimme Love Hey! You better listen (?) You got to hear what I call …
I Feel Free Feel when I dance with you, We move like the sea. You,…
I'll Prove I'm Right I don't know why I feel this way. I haven't bought…
Inside the Outside Outside the inside What a funny place to be Tire without a…
Ivory Castles Aren't all the ivory castles Worth all of the hassles? One…
Journey to Center of the Mind Leave your cares behind Come with us and find The pleasures …
Journey To the Center of Your Mind Leave your cares behind Come with us and find The pleasure…
Let's Go Get Stoned Let's go get stoned Woah, woah, woah Let's go get stoned …
Missionary Mary (Chorus) Missionary Mary don't you go reap your seeds and …
Mississippi Murderer Mississippi murderer Runnin' down the track Wherever you'r…
Night Time Will the (?) 'Cause the night time's here And the dirt on…
Prodigal Man Please, please, please forgive me for things I have done I…
Psalms of Aftermath Out of the darkness came the light Out of the morning…
Saint Philips Friend Happiness just came in, It pierced my skin. Insights of Ch…
Surrender to Your Kinks You surrender to your king Accepting all his worldly things …
The Great White Buffalo Well, listen everybody, To what I got to say. There's…
The Lovely Lady See the lovely lady in her gown News of her is…
Why Is a Carrot More Orange Than an Orange First the world, then boy then girl, Six days it took in…
Young Love My baby gave your love And she came from up above To…
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