AXS TV just posted a little clip on Facebook from Sammy Hagar’s most recent interview with Ted Nugent. In this video, Nugent discussed what has made him content throughout his life and work, saying:
“I gotta tell you, one of the reasons I’m happy, and I feel gratified and satisfied, and my family is wonderful – God, family, country, rock and roll, freedom – is because I’ve been clean and sober for 71 years. When you respect your sacred temple… When I was growing up, this was called the sacred temple, and you just don’t poison sacred temples.”
Nugent Is Proud To Be Sober
Nugent bid adieu to travel last summer with the “Adios Mofo” excursion in 2023. The singer frequently attributed his success in the business to his sobriety, and this farewell marked the 60th year of his profession.
In a 2022 “Detroit Muscle Tour” episode of “The Nightly Nuge,” he revealed:
“I started playing professionally 66 years ago. I think I played Walt’s Malts Shop, and I got paid in one vanilla malt. And I think I got some chips out of the deal. But the point is – I’ve been doing this for 66 years. But it’s important for me to celebrate that I do often – I’m 74 years clean and sober.”
Sobriety Makes Him Better Than The Rest, He Says
In the same episode, the vocalist made comparisons to rock legends Bruce Springsteen, ZZ Top, Metallica, and Styx. He clarified, claiming that a buddy who had seen thousands of rock concerts had declared his performances to be the best:
“Every one of my songs in my guitar tone, I’m always experimenting with guitars and amplifiers and strings and tubes and cables. And my guitar tone is just out of the body. So, yes, that guy identified is what everybody’s identifying.”
He went on to discuss how his sobriety had impacted his profession.
“At 74, when you’re clean and sober, and you take good care of yourself, [and when] you eat smart, you plenty of rest… And don’t be fool by the bags under my eyes. Those are actually ammo bags. So, don’t worry about the bags under my eyes.”