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PHOTOS: Nugent Rockin’ America Again at Sparks Nugget

Date:

Ted Nugent’s “Rockin’ America Again Tour” sold out the Nugget Ballroom inside the Nugget Casino in Sparks Saturday, June 24. Security was very tight at the venue, with everyone passing through a frisk and wand procedure before entering. Despite starting around 20 minutes late due to the security delays, Nugent gave fans nearly two hours of pure rock ‘n’ roll.

Ted Nugent (Uncle Ted) started out in the Amboy Dukes, a hard rock band formed in 1963, where he gained fame as the lead guitarist. After the Amboy Dukes he started his solo career, officially dropping the band in 1975.

Nugent is a board member of the National Rifle Association (NRA) and advocates for hunting and gun ownership rights. He also has had a lifelong stance against drug and alcohol abuse. And he’s a strong supporter of the Republican Party, where he seems to say things that get him trouble sometimes.

In addition to Nugent on lead guitar and vocals, current band members include Greg Smith (bass and backing vocals) and Jason Hartless (drums). Hartless replaced Wild Mick Brown on drums who is touring with his other band, Dokken. Brown is also the brother of Steve Brown, drummer for local favorite The Greg Golden Band.

The show started with the band’s rendition of “The Star-Spangled Banner,” and Nugent commenting, “It feels good to be playing in a room full of real Americans.” Then the band proceeded to blow the roof off the joint.

I’ve seen Uncle Ted several times as he plays in the area nearly every year. And you can count on him bringing some kind of controversy with him to town. But, he still manages to rock every time with a sold out show. If you missed this one, don’t worry. He’ll surely be back next year.

Always remember to support your local bands and venues … Go To a Show!

ted nugent
Photo: John Tuckness

Set List

“The Star-Spangled Banner”
“Baby, Please Don’t Go”
“Gonzo”
“Free-For-All”
“Paralyzed”
“Good Friends and a Bottle Of Wine”
“Wang Dang Sweet Poontang/Red House”
“Need You Bad”
“Crave”
“Dog Eat Dog”
“Hey Baby”
“Fred Bear”
“Cat Scratch Fever”
“Stranglehold”

Encore

“The Great White Buffalo”

 

John Tuckness
John Tuckness
John Tuckness has been photographing rock concerts in the Reno/Sparks/Tahoe area and as far as Northern California since 2004. He tries to attend as many shows as he can. John knew he wanted to be a concert photographer when he went to his first concert, Kiss and Montrose way back in 1976. He saw three guys shooting the show and thought to himself, "that's what I want to do." After many years of undercover work (sneaking his camera into venues), he finally got noticed and started getting photo passes through PR people and the bands. John has had many of his photos published in newspapers, websites and band autobiographies.

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