Ted Nugent has stirred up controversy once again, this time drawing criticism from rock icon Joan Jett. The recent discussion began when Rolling Stone magazine published its list of the “100 Greatest Guitarists,” which included Joan Jett but not Nugent. This omission sparked a strong reaction from Nugent, who criticized the list and its choices.
In a recent interview with NME, Joan Jett responded to Nugent’s comments, which suggested that she did not deserve her place on the list. Jett’s response was both pointed and dismissive. She remarked, “Neither should he. Is that his implication, that he should be on the list instead of me? Well, that’s just typical — it’s what I’ve dealt with my whole life, being written off. Ted Nugent has to live with being Ted Nugent. He has to be in that body, so that’s punishment enough.”
Jett didn’t hold back in her critique of Nugent’s character either. She recalled a notorious incident from Nugent’s past, saying, “He’s not a tough guy. He plays tough guy, but this is the guy who sh*t his pants — literally — so he didn’t have to go in the Army.” She concluded with a sharp rebuke: “So this is the tough guy who’s running around America, stirring things up against each other.”
Earlier, Nugent had expressed his frustration via BLABBERMOUTH.NET. He questioned the validity of Rolling Stone’s list by pointing out the absence of other notable guitarists such as Tommy Shaw and Derek St. Holmes. Nugent criticized the magazine’s choices, implying that their selection process was flawed or biased. He specifically took issue with Joan Jett’s inclusion, calling it an example of the magazine’s purported dishonesty. He even made a provocative comparison, saying, “By the way, if Grandmaster Flash is in the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame and Joan Jett is on the list of top 100 guitar players, then I’m Caitlyn Jenner’s boy toy.”
This exchange underscores the ongoing debate over legacy, recognition, and the criteria used by influential media outlets in ranking musicians.
