Ted Nugent, famously dubbed the Motor City Madman, has captivated audiences for decades with his thrilling and unpredictable live performances. This iconic moniker is a testament to his wild stage presence and energetic delivery. In his early career, the rock guitarist gained notoriety for his daredevil stunts, including leaping off of towering speakers and swinging from the rafters during concerts. Recently, in an engaging interview with Sirius XM’s Eddie Trunk, Nugent reflected on his outrageous antics, recounting the dangerous feats that could have led to his demise.

“The running, the athleticism, the ramp — we pioneered the whole ramp concept onstage because I was so hyper, driven by the powerful rhythms of my incredible band that I simply couldn’t stand still while performing,” the guitarist shared. He recounted a harrowing near-death experience that occurred during a show at Cobo Hall in the 1980s. “As I descended from the ceiling at Cobo Hall, my hair became ensnared in the pulley 140 feet above the ground. I had to violently yank out a huge chunk of hair from the mechanism or risk plummeting to my death.”

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Another perilous stunt Nugent executed involved riding a massive 1,000-pound wild animal during a performance.

“The unforgettable moment of riding a buffalo onstage at the House of Blues in Chicago was intense, especially as we ascended in the elevator with the buffalo’s horns dangerously close to me,” the rocker recalled. “If that beast had sneezed, my life would have been irrevocably altered.”

“I should have died, oh, maybe 30 or 40 times,” the guitarist estimated. “But fortunately, I was in excellent health and physically fit.”

Nugent compared his high-octane performance approach to that of a racecar driver pushing the limits of speed and safety to secure victory. “At the time, I couldn’t have articulated that this was my mindset, but it truly was my mindset back then.”

What Inspired Ted Nugent to Incorporate Buffalo Riding into His Concerts?

A serendipitous meeting with a buffalo farmer sparked Nugent’s fascination with these remarkable creatures. He gradually learned how to gain the trust of the animal and eventually trained one to perform onstage with him.

“I understand that some individuals may oppose the domestication of wild animals, but we are capable of doing so respectfully and ethically,” Nugent emphasized. “If approached with reverence, genuine care, and respect for these majestic creatures, there is certainly a place for this practice.”

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However, transitioning from practicing on a farm to performing in front of a live audience posed its own challenges. Nugent candidly admitted concerns that the buffalo could “injure me or the first few rows of audience members” if startled by the dynamic atmosphere of the concert. “Fortunately, I had spent ample time training him, leading to his acceptance of me amidst the chaos and excitement of a rock ‘n’ roll performance. Audiences were treated to the spectacle of me riding Chief onstage.”

Riding a buffalo became a signature element of Nugent’s performances, an act he replicated numerous times throughout his illustrious career. Reflecting on the fate of his very first onstage buffalo, the passionate hunter humorously remarked, “I believe we ended up sautéing some of him on my barbecue.”