By Sara Faiwell
sfaiwell@dailyherald.com
Posted Thursday, August 02, 2007

Ted Nugent's mother will always rock Palatine.

And if you ever need a reminder, just head to Durty Nellie's pub in the suburb's downtown to get a glimpse of the 4-ton boulder that now sits out front to honor her.

On Wednesday, the Motor City Madman himself came out to help dedicate the monument, which has been in the works for more than a year.

Palatine musician Eric Kinkel, a close friend of the late Marion "Ma" Nugent, organized the tribute for a woman he says was an inspiration to all local artists.

A couple of hundred people gathered in front of the bar and restaurant for the event, many wearing Ted Nugent shirts and carrying albums and a few armed with camouflage hunting hats.

Rocker Ted Nugent admires a rock dedicated Wednesday to his mother, Marion, outside Durty Nellie’s in Palatine. See video from the event at dailyherald.com (Bob Chwedyk/Daily Herald) VIDEO

Palatine mom Cindy Gherardini brought her sons James and Mark Alan to see Nugent since the two are both big fans of his music, attitude, hunting and reality television shows.

"It's been on the calendar for two months," she said. "They've never seen a rock star."

The outspoken Nugent mostly talked to the crowd about family values and the importance of parents teaching their children right from wrong, like his mom did for him.

He urged the kids in the group not to succumb to drugs, alcohol, tobacco or the "stupid stuff."

"And do your damn chores!" he said.

Ma Nugent, as she was known to most, lived in Palatine for more than 20 years. She died in 1989.

The family moved there from Michigan in the 1960s when Ted's father transferred jobs. Nugent is a graduate of St. Viator High School in Arlington Heights, where he says he got mostly B's and C's.

His mom became somewhat of a local celebrity as a columnist for the entertainment newspaper Illinois Entertainer. Her column, called "Ma" Nugent's Mail, answered questions about everything from rock and roll to social matters.

"She would be flattered as hell if she saw this," said longtime friend Marge Collins. "Then she'd cry her eyes out."

Nugent nuggets

Never at a loss for words, the Motor City Madman talked to us about politics, music and TV. (We edited out the swear words.)

Are you considering any more reality shows?

It's a hoot, because I am able to get the truth about hunting, fishing and trapping across. There are a bunch of offers on the table now for different reality shows.

Do you keep in touch with the guys from VH1's SuperGroup?

Off and on. There is no plan to record together. SuperGroup is really good, but my band is so much better. When it's time to unleash the musical beast, I'd rather be with my band.

Any animal you still want to hunt?

I'd love to kill a bunch of terrorists. And season never closes on child molesters.

How does rock 'n' roll today compare to the glory days?

I pray that we will get back to the musical focus and the real soulful celebration. Dave Matthews can't hold a candle to the '70s artists. Maroon 5 wouldn't have been able to sell out a 7-Eleven back when I was starting out. Now, it's all about haircuts and pierced nipples.

Who are you listening to now?

James Brown, Velvet Revolver, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Green Day and the Beatles.

Who are you endorsing for president?

... I love Mike Huckabee. Fred Thompson is a great man and Mitt Romney is a great man in many ways. Rudy Giuliani is a great man in many ways, and in many ways he is not.

VIDEO

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