Ted Nugent believes his comments about Joan Jett were misunderstood, asserting that he never intended to attack her.
In a recent interview with Dr. Music, Nugent was asked about his absence from “best guitarists ever” lists. He reiterated his previous statements, expressing admiration for Jett while referencing her sexuality. Nugent explained:
“An interviewer asked me about the Rolling Stone guitar player list. I hadn’t seen it, but they mentioned Joan Jett was on there, and I wasn’t. My response was, ‘I love Joan. She’s the real deal. If you want a kick-ass garage band, especially led by a lesbian, she’s the ultimate.’ I genuinely appreciate Joan Jett.”
Despite his professed respect for Jett, Nugent faced backlash, with many interpreting his comments as disparaging:
“And then everyone said, ‘Nugent spews hate for Joan Jett.’ That’s not true. When I was asked who should be on the list, I didn’t mention myself. I suggested Derek St. Holmes, Jim McCarty, Dave Amato, Rickey Medlocke, Mark Farner, Dick Wagner, and Rik Emmett. I never even mentioned me, yet people claimed it was all about my ego.”
Nugent’s Criticism of Jett
Historically, Nugent has criticized Jett multiple times, questioning her place in the music industry as a representative of strong women. While he acknowledged her sexual orientation in interviews, he consistently argued she didn’t deserve a spot among the top 100 guitarists. At one point, he controversially remarked he would “be Caitlyn Jenner’s boy toy” if Jett merited inclusion on the list.
Despite attempting to clarify his stance by expressing fondness for Jett and her music, Nugent maintained she wasn’t a top-tier guitarist. He praised other musicians like Mark Farner, John Sykes, and Chris Duarte, asserting they were more deserving of recognition.
Nugent emphasized his acceptance of lesbians, taking another dig at Joni Mitchell’s inclusion on the list, and reiterated he never claimed he should be included.
Jett’s Response
Joan Jett has endured Nugent’s remarks for years. Addressing his criticism, she noted the persistent underestimation she’s faced throughout her career. Responding to Nugent, she remarked:
“Is his implication that he should be on the list instead of me? That’s 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’s resilience underscores her enduring presence in the music industry, despite ongoing challenges and criticisms from peers like Nugent.
