Uncle Ted...with one hand tied behind his back

[Vehicle]

Way back, when I was in high school, a couple of friends and myself used to argue back and forth about Uncle Ted's Stormtroopin' guitar solo on Double Live Gonzo


The debate was over whether or not he does the entire first pat of it with one hand or two.

I have always maintained that he does it with just his fret hand, bending strings and sliding up and down the neck and making use of feedback.

They always said no way, that it was impossible.

I know it's possible, because I play it one handed. Air guitar, yea, but still..

Anyhow, I'd like to get your opinions on this. The solo starts at about 2:40 or so.

It's one handed (I think) until he strums a chord at 3:40.

What do you think?

 

[TheSound]

I think he probably does; there's no evidence of plectrum on strings to my ears. He loves his feedback, especially his trick of using the sound waves at unspeakably high volume and resolution to smash a glass that he had placed on top of a speaker stack, which I saw him do a couple of times, though I never knew if it was genuine or if he just had a roadie hidden away somewhere backstage with an air rifle who took out the glass at the appointed moment. I also love it how so many people refer to him as "Uncle Ted" like he was some kind of cuddly uncle, which I never understood, his lifestyle and image suggests all the cuddly uncle charms of the Manson Family, or at least some kind of Heavy Metal Tarzan character living on raw buffalo meat that he kills with his bare hands. Good track though Stormtroopin, not heard that in years.

 

[Powerage]

Nearly all feedback that section, could be done with one hand. Ted's class though, if not a bit of a mentalist.

 

[LG]

I'll play the album later and get back with my thoughts.

TS, I'm not sure where the nickname "Uncle Ted" came from originally but it sort of fits him. He is a wildman at heart and he's never shied away from that it's genuine not prefabricated.

I like him when he's got his axe in his hand period, the rest I tend to ignore. I also think he's a far better guitarist than many people give him credit for, more than just power chords at thunderous volumes even though he's known for exactly that.

 

[TheSound]

I strongly dislike his politics, especially on animal rights (don't worry, I won't say anymore than that!!) I used to have a soft spot for him as a performer/showman, even though I haven't seen or heard anything of him in decades, and haven't bought a Nugent album since I think 'Scream Dream'. I heard some Amboy Dukes stuff on the radio the other day, which was interesting.

 

[METALPRIEST]

I always thought it was one hand