Ted Nugent and Derek St Holmes Reignite a Classic in San Antonio 2011
On August twenty eighth, two thousand eleven, Ted Nugent and Derek St Holmes reunited on stage at Back Stage Live in San Antonio, Texas, to perform Just What the Doctor Ordered, one of the most recognizable songs from Nugent’s early solo catalog. The performance offered fans a rare opportunity to witness the original creative partnership behind the song brought back to life in a live setting.
Just What the Doctor Ordered was originally released in nineteen seventy five on Ted Nugent’s self titled debut album. The track is closely associated with Derek St Holmes, whose lead vocal performance on the original recording helped define the raw and aggressive sound that distinguished Nugent’s early solo work from his time with the Amboy Dukes. Over the years, changes in band lineups meant that St Holmes was often absent from live performances of the song, making the two thousand eleven reunion particularly significant.
The San Antonio performance took place in a club environment rather than a large arena, giving the song a direct and unfiltered presentation. Nugent’s guitar playing remained forceful and uncompromising, driven by the sharp tone and rhythmic precision that have long been his trademarks. At the same time, Derek St Holmes delivered the vocals with confidence and authority, closely reflecting the phrasing and attitude that fans associate with the original studio version.
What made the performance notable was not just technical accuracy, but the visible chemistry between the two musicians. Nugent and St Holmes shared an understanding of the song’s structure and dynamics that comes only from having created it together decades earlier. The tempo remained tight, the transitions were clean, and the performance avoided unnecessary embellishment, focusing instead on energy and clarity.
Audience reaction in the venue reflected the importance of the moment. Just What the Doctor Ordered has long been regarded as one of Nugent’s definitive tracks, and hearing it performed by the original vocalist carried particular weight. The live setting allowed the chorus and guitar breaks to land with immediate impact, reinforcing the song’s reputation as a cornerstone of nineteen seventies American hard rock.
From a historical perspective, the San Antonio show stands as a valuable document of Nugent’s catalog performed with one of its key contributors. While Ted Nugent has continued to tour extensively, appearances with Derek St Holmes have been relatively infrequent, making this performance a point of interest for long time listeners.
The two thousand eleven rendition of Just What the Doctor Ordered does not attempt to modernize the song. Instead, it presents it as it was meant to be heard, loud, direct, and driven by instinct. In doing so, the performance reinforces the lasting strength of the original recording and the partnership that brought it to life.