PsychepediA

From: Chicago, IL, USA

The Amboy Dukes was originally a Chicago based band that formed in 1964 and is best known for including Ted Nugent (lead guitar), who later went on to rock stardom as a solo artist in the 70s. Other original members of the group included Bob Lehnert (lead vocals), Gary Hicks (guitar, vocals), Dick Treat (bass, vocals) and Gail Uptadale (drums). The band relocated to Detroit, MI in 1965 where they are best known for being based out of for the rest of their tenure. 1967 saw a complete lineup change save Nugent with John Drake (lead vocals), Steve Farmer (guitar), Rick Lober (piano, organ), Bill White (bass) and Dave Palmer (drums). They were then signed to the Mainstream label and issued a debut, self-titled LP.

In 1968, Lober and White were replaced with Andy Solomon (organ, piano, vocals) and Greg Arama (bass). It was this lineup that scored a winner with the Nugent and Farmer penned 'Journey To The Center Of The Mind', which peaked at #16 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100. Although this was to be their only major hit and they were plagued with numerous other personnel changes, the Amboy Dukes garnered a respectable following due to Nugent's standout guitar licks. They continued performing and releasing albums until Nugent finally went solo in 1975. It should also be noted that Dave Palmer went on to become a member of the band ABC in the early 1980s.

Artist information sources include: The book, 'Fuzz, Acid, and Flowers Revisited' by Vernon Joynson.