The Amboy Dukes

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AmboyDukes CD cover for the album, Best of Amboy Dukes

The Amboy Dukes were an American rock music band of the late 1960s and early 1970s from Detroit, Michigan, best remembered for their hit single "Journey to the Center of the Mind", and for launching the career of Ted Nugent.

1 History
2 Band Line-ups
- 2.1 1968
3 Albums
4 Trivia
5 See also
6 External links

[edit] History

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 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.

[edit] Band Line-ups

The Pre-Nugent Detroit band was as follows:

Ron ? (Lead Guitar)
Dave Opatic (Guitar)
James Jackson (Bass)
Ben Vineyard (Drums)

199.72.49.165 00:05, 2 December 2006 (UTC)===1967=== The Nugent Amboy Dukes began in Chicago and moved back to Detroit. Before landing a record deal, the members were as follows: Bob Lehnert (original vocalist 1965-67)

Ted Nugent (Guitar)
Gary Hicks (Guitar)
Dick Treat (Bass)
Gail Uptadale (Drums)

[edit] 1968

After a band shuffle for signing a deal with Mainstream Records of New York, the band members were:

John Drake (Vocals)
Ted Nugent (Lead Guitar, Vocals)
Steve Farmer (Guitar, Vocals)
Rick Lober (Keyboard)
Bill White (Bass)
Dave Palmer (Drums) ex The Galaxy Five ex The Citations

Journey to the Center of the Mind saw another member shake-up:

John Drake (Vocals)
Ted Nugent (Lead Guitar, Vocals)
Steve Farmer (Guitar, Vocals)
Andy Solomon (Keyboard, Sax, Vocals) ex The Apostles
Greg Arama (Bass) ex The Gang
Dave Palmer (Drums)

Migration saw another line-up:

Rusty Day (Russell Edward Davidson) (Vocals, Harmonica) ex Rusty Day & The Midnighters
Ted Nugent (Lead Guitar, Vocals)
Steve Farmer (Guitar, Vocals)
Andy Solomon (Keyboard, Sax, Vocals)
Greg Arama (Bass)
Dave Palmer (Drums)

[edit] Albums

The Amboy Dukes, the Amboy Dukes' first album, was released in November 1967 Mainstream Records 56104 mono and S/6104 stereo. It crept into the top 200 and its highest was #183. It contained the debut single Baby Please Don't Go which did not chart.

Journey to the Center of the Mind, the Amboy Dukes second album, was released in April 1968 on Mainstream Records 56112 mono (promo only) and stereo S/6112 stereo. It creeped into the top 100 and its highest was #74. The single of the same name peaked at number 16 on the US Billboard Hot 100 pop chart. The album and song were classic examples of acid rock; for example, the original album cover depicted fifty different kinds of marijuana-smoking devices.

- 1. "Mississippi Murderer" (5:12)
- 2. "Surrender to You Kinks" (2:52)
- 3. "Flight of the Byrd" (2:49)
- 4. "Scottish Tea" -instrumental (4:01)
- 5. "Dr. Slingshot" (3:08)
- 6. "Journey to the Center of the Mind" (3:33)
- 7. "Ivory Castles" (3:21)
- 8. "Why Is A Carrot More Orange Than An Orange" (2:25)
- 9. "Missionary Mary" (2:34)
- 10. "Death Is Life" (2:08)
- 11. "Saint Phillips Friend" (3:32)
- 12. "I'll Prove I'm Right" (1:38)
- 13. "Conclusion" (1:57)
- 14. "You Talk Sunshine, I Breathe Fire" (2:44)

Migration the Amboy Dukes third album was released in fall 1968 on Mainstream Records stereo only S/6118. It failed to chart. In the UK, it can be found in mono, catalog number is London/Mainstream HAT 8393

You Talk Sunshine, I Breathe Fire - buoyed by the success of the "Journey" 45, in 1968 they released this non LP, Mainstream 693. It didn't chart.

The Best Of The Original Amboy Dukes released after The Amboy Dukes left Mainstream Records, Mainstream S/6125, failed to chart.

- 1. Journey To The Center Of The Mind
- 2. Baby Please Don't Go
- 3. Psalms Of Aftermath
- 4. Colors
- 5. Down On Philip's Escalator
- 6. Night Time
- 7. Mississippi Murderer
- 8. Scottish Tea
- 9. Dr. Slingshot
- 10. Flight Of The Bird
- 11. Why Is A Carrot More Orange Than An Orange
- 12. Saint Philip's Friend
- 13. You Talk Sunshine, I Breathe Fire
- 14. Migration
- 15. Prodigal Man
- 16. Good Natured Emma
- 17. For His Namesake
- 18. Loaded For Bear

Marriage On The Rocks, Rock Bottom the Amboy Dukes fifth album was released in 1970 on Polydor Records stereo 45-4012. It peaked at #191. The original contains a lyric sheet, whereas the later re-release Polydor 6093? does not.

- 1. "Marriage"
  - ...i). Part 1: Man
  - ...ii). Part 2: Woman
  - ...iii). Part 3: Music
- 2. "Breast-Fed Gator"
- 3. "Get Yer Guns"
- 4. "Non-Conformist Wildebeest Man"
- 5. "Today's Lesson"
- 6. "Children Of The Woods"
- 7. "Brain Games Of Yesteryear"
- 8. "The Inexhaustible Quest For The Cosmic Cabbage"
  - ...i. Part One
  - ...ii. Part Two
- 9. "Excerpt From Bartok: Second String Quartet, Beginning 2nd Movement"

Survival Of The Fittest LIVE (at the Eastown Theatre, Detroit) as Ted Nugent And The Amboy Dukes in 1971 - Polydor 24-4035. Charted highest #129.

- 1. Survival of the Fittest
- 2. Rattle My Snake
- 3. Mr. Jones' Hanging Party
- 4. Papa's Will
- 5. Slidin' On
- 6. Prodigal Man

Call Of The Wild was released in 1973 on Frank Zappa's DisCreet label after the band left Polydor - Discreet 2181 - didn't chart

- 1. Call of the Wild
- 2. Sweet Revenge
- 3. Pony Express
- 4. Ain't It The Truth
- 5. Renegade
- 6. Rot Gut
- 7. Below The Belt
- 8. Cannon Balls

Tooth, Fang & Claw released in 1974 was the last album - Discreet 2203 - didn't chart

- 1. Lady Luck
- 2. Living in the Woods
- 3. Hibernation
- 4. Free Flight
- 5. Maybellene
- 6. The Great White Buffalo
- 7. Sasha
- 8. No Holds Barred

[edit] Trivia

It is rumoured that "JB Special" was to be the single, but was scrapped when Journey to the Center of the Mind was perfected. It can also be found on the Capitol label, as it was a record club hot pick.