Page 7 - ISSUE 20
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ROCKNATION ISSUE 20 PAGE 7
ROCKNATION: Back in the day where were you when you got the
news you was hired by the Motor City Madman TED
NUGENT?
CHARLIE: Yeah that was ’77. I was still living in my parent’s
house. I was in between apartments and Jeff Lloyd called over
to my parent’s house and my mom said I had a phone call. So I
picked it up and this guy asked me if I wanted to be in Ted
Nugent’s band. I said, “Let me think about it.” I hadn’t been CHARLIE: Tom was in transition when I got in. Lou Futterman
following Ted much. I had been watching him on and off for a and Tom Werman were partners and they actually signed Ted
decade – being in Michigan and Amboy Dukes playing all the back in ’74. Tom Werman was really fun to work with. He would
time. I even ran lights on him when I was 16 at a venue in just let me do my thing. He would have the tape rolling and he
Grand Rapids. Low and behold I ended up getting an audition, would get you in a natural mood. You would be able to produce
but it took 6 months to get the audition. It was kind of trying the best product you could. When you’re relaxed and natural
because I was working with a good friend and we had a good gig – usually first takes are the best they say because you have an
in Grand Rapids and he did not want to lose me, but I wanted to eagerness to record and perform. He would record my vocals
move on. So long story short, Ted called one night in September and just like let me go. “Ok, that’s good.” And I was like, “Wait
and said “Hey, how are you doing?” I said, “I’m kind of pissed a minute, don’t you want to go over it and nitpick it? Punch in
off. I expected to have this audition by now. I might lose my gig, every syllable and make sure I’m in tune?” … “No, we’re good.”
because these guys are finding out what’s going on. There’s With Cliff Davies it was just the opposite. Cliff put me under a
rumors going around, and threatening letters.” Ted said, “Don’t microscope. I learned a lot from Cliff. Just Tom was more just
worry about it.” So finally in December, or something like that, “Let it all hang out – go for it – either you know it or you don’t.”
they had the audition in Ann Arbor. I just had to play with them, That’s what I liked about working with Tom. We did Weekend
it wasn’t really an audition – and I had all my homework done. Warriors, my first album with Ted, with Tom. Then he moved on
They liked it. Cliff Davis came out of the production room and with Cheap Trick and later Motley Crue.
said, “So what kind of amps do you want?” I said, “I’ll take two ROCKNATION: Have you ever thought about doing a solo CD?
Hiwatt’s.” Because those were cool at the time. So I guess I got CHARLIE: Yeah, I have. The more years go by, the more I just
the gig. It was cool. kind of shelved it, but I’d love to. I’ve been writing more now,
ROCKNATION: What shows, tours was the biggest highlights and I think back to when I was writing with Gary Moore and with
playing with Ted? Victory – co-wrote with other people, Humble Pie. I’ve put a lot
CHARLIE: Well, that’s when he was at the peak of his career. My of different hats on over the decades. I thought it would be great
first big show was at the Meadowlands Stadium in New Jersey – to do an album with a lot of the great people I met along the way,
where the Giants play – and it was sold out, 88,000 people. We and then I thought “Well, how am I going to pay them?” I’ve
just rocked the set. It was just amazing hearing 88,000 people talked to a lot of them about it. One was Gary Moore of course,
screaming and stuff. That was a big one. Madison Square but then he passed away unfortunately. Of course Ted. I think
Garden, of course. I played all the big coliseums – LA coliseum. about it. I’ve got some songs. Some people think that some of
We did a whole summer of weekends just doing outdoor them are pretty darn good, so I might do it one of these days.
stadiums with Cheap Trick, Journey, AC/DC, Def Leppard, Heart – ROCKNATION: What is some of the music you listen to now?
it just goes on and on. The big shows were – especially in CHARLIE: I just saw a really cool concert. It was Stone Temple
Alameda County Coliseum, Oakland Coliseum – Bill Graham Pilots and Filter. I enjoyed that. I’m catching up on the ‘90s. I’m
would put on these festivals, and were headlining back then almost in the new millennium. A month ago I saw Fuel and Alien
over AC/DC, and co-headlining with Aerosmith and Scorpions Ant Farm. So I’m getting a dose of ‘90s. I’ve been listening to
and everybody. Seeing 90,000 or 100,000 people out there – the more of the eclectic stuff. I like jazz because it’s challenging. I
whole infield and outfield and the stands full of people all the way might put on Stanley Clark’s first album and listen to “Hello Jeff,”
around. Those kinds of events were really memorable. They are something like that. I like any kind of music, especially rock that
all memorable. There is something about every show that sticks moves me.
in your mind. I guess the big ones are the most memorable ROCKNATION: Thank you for taking time for this interview. It was
though. a great pleasure having you.
ROCKNATION: Please tell us about working with producer Tom CHARLIE: My Pleasure too bro, check out Foghat sometime in
Werman (Motley Crue, Cheap Trick, Molly Hatchet, Boston) on your area. I really appreciate it and have a nice day.
recording your vocals.
