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Born on December 13, 1948, in Detroit, MI, Nugent became interested in rock & roll early in the game, picking up the guitar as a youngster, while his disciplinarian father passed his beliefs down to Nugent. In the '60s, Nugent formed his first bands (including Royal High Boys and Lourdes), drawing inspiration from such British blues-rockers as the Rolling Stones and the Yardbirds. But it wasn't until the formation of the Amboy Dukes that the Nuge got his first taste of stardom (it was also around this time that Nugent began playing a Gibson Byrdland guitar, a model which would be instantly associated with him throughout his career). The other members of the group didn't exactly share Nugent's clean-living lifestyle, as proven by their psychedelic hit single "Journey to the Center of the Mind," which Nugent claimed he didn't know at the time was about being "under the influence." The band managed to issue several albums throughout the late '60s -- 1967's self-titled debut, 1968's Journey to the Center of the Mind, and 1969's Migration -- as the group fit in well with such other high-energy rock bands to emerge from the Motor City: MC5 and the Stooges in particular.

Ted Answers My Questions For Ireport

1: What was the first guitar you ever owned?-An old rattletrap accoustic with a buzzing low E string that sounded like a saxophone!!

2: What was your first Les Paul?-An amazing 1959 vintage I bought for $3k in 1979 & was offered $250K for recently. Phenomenal touch and tone.

3:What is the best guitar Les Paul made?-Guitars are like women and guns. It's all about the touch and feel. All instruments Les had anything to do with were nothing short of wonderful players.

4:How many Guitars do you own?-38
5:What artist/music inspired you to pick up and start playing?-Everything Little Richard, Bo Diddly, Chuck Berry, James Brown, Duane Eddy, The Ventures, Elvis, Stax Volt, Motown, Funkbrothers, etc. etc. etc.

6:Do you have a favorite guitar player now?-Billy Gibbons, Eddie Van Halen, Joe Bonomassa, Chris Duarte, always SRV, the little guy in Green Day, the Chile Peppers guy

7:If yes, what kind of guitar do they use?-Music and guitar style/sound is so subjective, that these true masters could pick up any instrument and kill.

8:What was the biggest show you ever played?-CA Jam III. They say @300,000 to 400,000 rockers!!

9: At what point in your career did you realize you made the big time?-By 1968 when I kept hearing my Amboy Dukes song JOURNEY TO THE CENTER OF THE MIND on the radio everywhere all the time.

10:What do you think the legacy Les Paul will be leaving the industry?-As a brilliant musically driven artist and inventor who created a guitar that enriched all music lovers lives.
11: Please tell me how you found out Les Paul passed?-I was texted nonstop by everyone I know. From my son Toby 1st within minutes of his passing.

12: In your own words comment on Les Paul.
I was jamming on one of my cherished 1959 Les Paul guitars the other day, and ferocious, fluid, adventurous sexy guitar licks danced with and from my fingertips. Mr. Paul's guitar does that to and for all of us guitarslingers, and for that we salute, thank and honor the founding father of electric guitars. I met Les and exchanged guitar stories with him on a few occasions, and he was not only a musical visionary, but truly a wise, kind and down to earth gentleman of the finest order. He knew I loved my Gibson Byrdland guitars and shared his admiration for those classic Gibsons as well. With but a cursory review of the earth moving music created on Les Paul guitars, all music lovers must admit that our lives would not be as full and rich without the great man and his magnificent instrument. I will play magic notes for Les forever. God rest his ingenious soul.   --Ted Nugent