Free-for-All (Ted Nugent album)
| Free-for-All | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | September 1976[1] | |||
| Studio | The Sound Pit, Atlanta, Georgia | |||
| Genre | Hard rock | |||
| Length | 38:28 | |||
| Label | Epic | |||
| Producer | Tom Werman, Lew Futterman, Cliff Davies | |||
| Ted Nugent chronology | ||||
| ||||
| Singles from Free-for All | ||||
| ||||
| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| AllMusic |    [3] |
| Classic Rock | [4] |
| Christgau's Record Guide | B−[5] |
| Collector's Guide to Heavy Metal | 9/10[6] |
| Rolling Stone | (favorable)[7] |
Free-for-All is the second studio album by American rock musician Ted Nugent. It was released in September 1976 by Epic Records, and was his first album to go platinum.[8]
Background[edit]
As the recording of Free-for-All commenced, rhythm guitarist and lead vocalist Derek St. Holmes left the band, citing growing personal and creative conflicts with Nugent. Two solid years of living together on the road had taken its toll on the relationship.[9] Additionally, St. Holmes was unhappy with Tom Werman's production, saying that the producer was watering down the band's sound.[9]
A full year before Bat Out of Hell brought him international success, vocalist Meat Loaf was brought in by producer Werman to sing on the album. Meat Loaf was paid the sum of $1,000 for his contributions to the album, which included crafting his vocal arrangements and two days of recording sessions.[10] He says that after he agreed to do the album he was sent a lyric sheet containing just the words with no arrangements. Having no idea what the songs were going to sound like, he then created the vocal arrangements for the songs during the two days of recording.[10]
St. Holmes also sang lead vocal on several of the album's songs, including the single "Dog Eat Dog". He officially returned to the group after Free-for-All's release, and performed on the subsequent tour. Band management asked him to return at the request of Epic Records.[9]
Track listing[edit]
All songs written by Ted Nugent, except where noted; all songs arranged by Nugent, Rob Grange, Derek St. Holmes and Cliff Davies.
| No. | Title | Lead vocals | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Free-for-All" | Ted Nugent | 3:20 |
| 2. | "Dog Eat Dog" | Derek St. Holmes | 4:04 |
| 3. | "Writing on the Wall" | Meat Loaf | 7:08 |
| 4. | "Turn It Up" | Derek St. Holmes | 3:36 |
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Lead vocals | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5. | "Street Rats" | Meat Loaf | 3:36 | |
| 6. | "Together" | Rob Grange, Cliff Davies | Meat Loaf | 5:52 |
| 7. | "Light My Way" | Derek St. Holmes, Rob Grange | Derek St. Holmes | 3:00 |
| 8. | "Hammerdown" | Meat Loaf | 4:07 | |
| 9. | "I Love You So I Told You a Lie" | Cliff Davies | Meat Loaf | 3:47 |
| No. | Title | Lead vocals | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10. | "Free-for-All" (live) | Ted Nugent | 5:13 |
| 11. | "Dog Eat Dog" (live) | Derek St. Holmes | 6:21 |
| 12. | "Street Rats" (alternate version with Derek St. Holmes on vocals) | Derek St. Holmes | 4:14 |
Personnel[edit]
Band members
- Ted Nugent – lead and rhythm guitar, lead vocals (tracks 1 and 10), percussion, bass guitar (track 2)
- Meat Loaf – lead vocals (tracks 3, 5, 6, 8 and 9)
- Rob Grange – bass guitar, bass phase effects
- Cliff Davies – drums, percussion, backing vocals (track 2), producer
Additional musicians
- Derek St. Holmes[a] – lead vocals (tracks 2, 4, 7, 11 and 12), rhythm guitar (tracks 2, 10 & 11)
- Steve McRay – keyboards, backing vocals
- Tom Werman – percussion, producer
Production
- Lew Futterman – producer
- Anthony Reale – engineer
- Josh Futterman – engineer's assistant
- Tim Geelan – mixing engineer
- Paula Scher – album design
- Jim Houghton – photography
- Bruce Dickinson – 1999 reissue producer
- Vic Anesini – remastering
- Stephan Moore – 1999 reissue project director
- Howard Fritzson – 1999 reissue art director
- Gary Graff – 1999 reissue liner notes
Charts[edit]
| Chart (1976-1977) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Australia Albums (Kent Music Report)[11] | 84 |
| Canada Top Albums/CDs (RPM)[12] | 31 |
| Swedish Albums (Sverigetopplistan)[13] | 14 |
| UK Albums (OCC)[14] | 33 |
| US Billboard 200[15] | 24 |
Certifications[edit]
| Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
|---|---|---|
| Canada (Music Canada)[16] | Gold | 50,000^ |
| United States (RIAA)[17] | 2× Platinum | 2,000,000^ |
|
^ Shipments figures based on certification alone. | ||
Notes[edit]
- ^ Derek St. Holmes had left the band prior to this release, therefore his contributions would be considered additional personnel not band member.
References[edit]
- ^ Strong, M. C. (1995). The Great Rock Discography. Edinburgh: Canongate Books Ltd. pp. 594–5. ISBN 0-86241-385-0.
- ^ Strong, M. C. (1995). The Great Rock Discography. Edinburgh: Canongate Books Ltd. pp. 594–5. ISBN 0-86241-385-0.
- ^ Prato, Greg. "Ted Nugent - Free-for-All review". AllMusic. Rovi Corporation. Retrieved December 13, 2011.
- ^ Dome, Malcolm (February 2005). "Free-For-All". Classic Rock. No. 76. p. 109.
- ^ Christgau, Robert (1981). "Consumer Guide '70s: N". Christgau's Record Guide: Rock Albums of the Seventies. Ticknor & Fields. ISBN 089919026X. Retrieved March 8, 2019 – via robertchristgau.com.
- ^ Popoff, Martin (October 2003). The Collector's Guide to Heavy Metal: Volume 1: The Seventies. Burlington, Ontario: Collector's Guide Publishing. pp. 206–207. ISBN 978-1894959025.
- ^ Altman, Billy (November 18, 1976). "Album Reviews: Ted Nugent - Free for All". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on January 27, 2008. Retrieved December 13, 2011.
- ^ "RIAA Database: Search for Ted Nugent". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved December 16, 2011.
- ^ a b c Orwat Jr., Thomas S. (June 26, 2011). "Interview: Derek St. Holmes". Rockmusicstar.com. Retrieved October 9, 2018.
- ^ a b "Ted Nugent Paid Meatloaf $1,000 To Sing On Free For All Album". 104.1 Jack FM. March 17, 2010. Archived from the original on November 25, 2015. Retrieved October 9, 2018.
- ^ Kent, David (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970–1992 (illustrated ed.). St Ives, N.S.W.: Australian Chart Book. p. 220. ISBN 0-646-11917-6.
- ^ "Top RPM Albums: Issue 5096a". RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved May 31, 2024.
- ^ "Swedishcharts.com – Ted Nugent – Free-For-All". Hung Medien. Retrieved May 31, 2024.
- ^ "Official Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved May 31, 2024.
- ^ "Ted Nugent Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved May 31, 2024.
- ^ "Canadian album certifications – Ted Nugent – Free For All". Music Canada.
- ^ "American album certifications – Ted Nugent – Free For All". Recording Industry Association of America.
