Free-for-All
Studio album by
Ted Nugent
ReleasedSeptember 1976[1]
StudioThe Sound Pit, Atlanta, Georgia
GenreHard rock
Length38:28
LabelEpic
ProducerTom Werman, Lew Futterman, Cliff Davies
Ted Nugent chronology
Ted Nugent
(1975)		 Free-for-All
(1976)		 Cat Scratch Fever
(1977)
Singles from Free-for All
  1. "Dog Eat Dog"
    Released: November 1976[2]
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[3]
Classic Rock[4]
Christgau's Record GuideB−[5]
Collector's Guide to Heavy Metal9/10[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

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

All songs written by Ted Nugent, except where noted; all songs arranged by Nugent, Rob Grange, Derek St. Holmes and Cliff Davies.

Side one
No.TitleLead vocalsLength
1."Free-for-All"Ted Nugent3:20
2."Dog Eat Dog"Derek St. Holmes4:04
3."Writing on the Wall"Meat Loaf7:08
4."Turn It Up"Derek St. Holmes3:36
Side two
No.TitleWriter(s)Lead vocalsLength
5."Street Rats" Meat Loaf3:36
6."Together"Rob Grange, Cliff DaviesMeat Loaf5:52
7."Light My Way"Derek St. Holmes, Rob GrangeDerek St. Holmes3:00
8."Hammerdown" Meat Loaf4:07
9."I Love You So I Told You a Lie"Cliff DaviesMeat Loaf3:47
1999 CD reissue bonus tracks
No.TitleLead vocalsLength
10."Free-for-All" (live)Ted Nugent5:13
11."Dog Eat Dog" (live)Derek St. Holmes6:21
12."Street Rats" (alternate version with Derek St. Holmes on vocals)Derek St. Holmes4:14

Personnel

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

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

Weekly charts

Year Chart Position
1976 Swedish Albums Chart[11] 14
Billboard 200 (US)[12] 24
Australia (Kent Music Report)[13] 84
RPM100 Albums (Canada)[14] 31
UK Album Chart[15] 33

Singles

Year Title Chart Position
1976 "Dog Eat Dog" RPM100 Top Singles (Canada)[16] 73
Billboard Hot 100 (US)[17] 91

Certifications

Country Organization Year Sales
U.S. RIAA 1992 2× Platinum (2,000,000)[8]
Canada CRIA 1978 Gold (50,000)[18]

Notes

  1. ↑ Derek St. Holmes had left the band prior to this release, therefore his contributions would be considered additional personnel not band member.

References

  1. ↑ Strong, M. C. (1995). The Great Rock Discography. Edinburgh: Canongate Books Ltd. pp. 594–5. ISBN 0-86241-385-0.
  2. ↑ Strong, M. C. (1995). The Great Rock Discography. Edinburgh: Canongate Books Ltd. pp. 594–5. ISBN 0-86241-385-0.
  3. ↑ Prato, Greg. "Ted Nugent - Free-for-All review". AllMusic. Rovi Corporation. Retrieved December 13, 2011.
  4. ↑ Dome, Malcolm (February 2005). "Free-For-All". Classic Rock. No. 76. p. 109.
  5. ↑ 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.
  6. ↑ 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.
  7. ↑ 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.
  8. 1 2 "RIAA Database: Search for Ted Nugent". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved December 16, 2011.
  9. 1 2 3 Orwat Jr., Thomas S. (June 26, 2011). "Interview: Derek St. Holmes". Rockmusicstar.com. Retrieved October 9, 2018.
  10. 1 2 "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.
  11. ↑ "Ted Nugent – Free-for-All (Album)". Swedishcharts.com. Media Control Charts. Retrieved December 16, 2011.
  12. ↑ "Ted Nugent Chart History: Billboard 200". Billboard.com. Billboard. Retrieved October 8, 2018.
  13. ↑ 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.
  14. ↑ "Top Albums/CDs - Volume 26, No. 8, November 20, 1976". Library and Archives Canada. November 20, 1976. Retrieved December 16, 2011.
  15. ↑ "Ted Nugent Official Charts". Official Charts Company. Retrieved October 8, 2018.
  16. ↑ "Top Singles - Top Singles - Volume 26, No. 13, December 25, 1976". Library and Archives Canada. December 25, 1976. Retrieved December 16, 2011.
  17. ↑ "Ted Nugent Chart History: Hot 100". Billboard.com. Billboard. Retrieved October 8, 2018.
  18. ↑ "Gold Platinum Database: Search for Ted Nugent". Music Canada. December 1978. Retrieved December 16, 2011.
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