THE AMBOY DUKES
The Amboy Dukes was an American rock music band of the late 1960’s and early 1970’s from Detroit, Michigan, best known for their one hit single “Journey to the Center of the Mind”. The band’s name comes from the title of a novel by Irving Shulman. In the UK the group’s records were released under the name of The American Amboy Dukes because of the existence of a British group. The band went through a number of personnel changes during its active years, the only constant being lead guitarist and composer Ted Nugent. The band transitioned to being Nugent’s backing band before he discontinued the name in 1975. The group contributed to the foundations of heavy metal and progressive rock. (More from Wikipedia)
Mainstream Records does have some prominent albums to its credit, however, including the first album by Big Brother and the Holding Company (not long after Janis Joplin joined up) and the first three albums by the Amboy Dukes, Ted Nugent’s early band (including their big hit “Journey to the Center of the Mind”).
The Amboy Dukes’ raw treatment of Big Joe Williams’ “Baby, Please Don’t Go” from their first album was included on the original Nuggets compilation album and already features Ted Nugent’s signature guitar licks.
(April 2011)
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To my mind though, Andy Colquhoun is in a class apart from other rock guitarists; his guitar work, particularly on Pick up the Phone, America!, is absolutely thrilling to me. The only guitarist I can think of who comes close to embodying the joy and exuberance that Andy exudes throughout this album is Ted Nugent, back in his early days with Amboy Dukes.
(August 2011)
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Besides the rhythm section of Vanilla Fudge – Tim Bogert (bass guitar) and Carmine Appice (drums) – the line-up in Cactus was rounded out by Jim McCarty (guitar), formerly with Mitch Ryder and the Detroit Wheels, and singer Rusty Day from Ted Nugent’s early band Amboy Dukes.
(April 2014)
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From Wikipedia: “Other notable [Detroit] bands from this time period include Alice Cooper, the Amboy Dukes (featuring Ted Nugent), the Bob Seger System, Frijid Pink, SRC, the Up, the Frost (featuring Dick Wagner), Popcorn Blizzard (featuring Meat Loaf), Cactus, and the soulful sounds of Rare Earth and the Flaming Ember.”
(March 2016)
