by Christine Lorraine Morgan ~ July 14, 2024

Supergroup Damn Yankees arrived in the scenic bay city of Erie, PA on the brisk, chilly day of March 22, 1991. Comprised of veteran musicians Ted Nugent, Tommy Shaw, Jack Blades and Michael Cartellone, three of these four noted performers sat down for a pre-show interview with yours truly and another female reporter.

First to arrive was Ted Nugent.

He entered the room with his wavy long brown hair tied back with a blue scrungie, wearing a black leather jacket, tight faded blue jeans, and a gray cargo-style shirt.

He sat down on the tan sofa in the room, and pointed to the black-and-white striped fur cowboy hat on his head.

“See this hat?” he asked, but before we could answer he added, “I shot it.”

That’s the lively note upon which this conversation began.

He had walked into the interview room carrying a steamy cup of coffee. He explained that drinking a fresh cup of joe before a performance was something he enjoyed doing for good energy.

Nugent was completely at ease talking about himself, his music and visions. His frank and nonchalant demeanor was disarming.

After bandmates Jack Blades and Tommy Shaw came into the room, the conversation continued with everyone agreeing that they were pumped up and glad to be in town and excited about the show, which was billed with Bad Company as well.

Damn Yankees’ set list from the Erie Civic Center show wasn’t available online, but the group’s 1993 song list was, so that’s what we’ve included below. It should offer an indication of what songs might have been played in Erie:

Nugent was completely at ease talking about himself, his music and visions. His frank and nonchalant demeanor was disarming.

After bandmates Jack Blades and Tommy Shaw came into the room, the conversation continued with everyone agreeing that they were pumped up and glad to be in town and excited about the show, which was billed with Bad Company as well.

Damn Yankees’ set list from the Erie Civic Center show wasn’t available online, but the group’s 1993 song list was, so that’s what we’ve included below. It should offer an indication of what songs might have been played in Erie:

Don’t Tread on Me

Damn Yankees

Fifteen Minutes of Fame

Don’t Tell Me You Love Me

Comne Again

Where You Goin’ Now

Silence Is Broken

High Enough

Renegade

Coming of Age

Cat Scratch Fever

One of the things that Nugent covered during the interview regarded the way he found the ongoing motivation to tour and perform. He said it’s because he didn’t want to settle for just reading books, he wanted to write them; that he didn’t just want to hear the music, he wanted to play a role in creating it too, and then share it with the world.

Seems like he struck the right life chord and managed to live up to his own expectations.

On a personal note, I had promised my teenage daughter Sabrina that I would get Ted Nugent’s autograph for her. Unfortunately, I had been so wrapped up with the interview that this fact slipped my mind.

So I wandered around the halls of the Erie Civic Center trying to find Nugent to ask for his autograph, and ran into a stocky gentleman who stopped me and said that Mr. Nugent was in the dressing room and could no longer be contacted.

Dejected at the thought of disappointing Sabrina, I noticed Shemane, Nugent’s wife, down the opposing hallway. I approached her and told her my sad story, and asked if she could help.

Five minutes later she appeared with her husband’s autograph in hand, saving me from a sad parental fate. It struck me what a nice person she was to act above and beyond like that and to this day I am grateful.

Also had a brief moment with Bad Company singer Brian Howe, and managed to get a good photo of him in the process. He was very gracious and well spoken.

Howe was dressed in a comfy-looking leather bomber jacket, and wore a neck chain with an interesting small stone pendant. He was personable, and said he was looking forward to the show before flashing his charming smile at the camera.

Howe passed away in 2020 at age 66.

Guitarist Tommy Shaw has since returned to Styx, where he leads along with James “JY” Young.

Jack Blades, former bassist of Night Ranger, was a band member of Revolution Saints until 2022.

Ted Nugent completed his “Adios Mofo ’23” farewell tour last year prior to retiring. Word is that Nugent’s departure from the musical world was due to his attachment to his dogs.

Here is my press pass from the “Rock ‘N’ Roll Storm” show in Erie, PA on March 22, 1991 featuring Damn Yankees and Bad Company.