Fifteen years since the release of their debut album and nearly a decade after they recorded their last album together and went their separate ways, Night Ranger came full circle to scale the hard rock heights again in 1997. Jack Blades, Jeff Watson, Kelly Keagy , Brad Gillis, and Alan Fitzgerald reunited to create Seven, a studio album that was pure Night Ranger, the very best of the hard rock genre that set the standard for the 80's rock-and-roll revival. One of America's most successful touring and recording bands, Night Ranger left its indelible mark on the music charts with a string of best-selling albums between 1982 and 1988 (Dawn Patrol, Midnight Madness, 7 Wishes, Big Life and Man In Motion). Selling more than 16 million copies worldwide, its popularity was fueled by an impressive string of instantly recognizable hit singles and signature album tracks. Its songs are as much a part of the eighties rocklore as Night Ranger itself, including "Sister Christian," "(You Can Still) Rock in America," "When You Close Your Eyes," "Sentimental Street," "Goodbye," and "Don't Tell Me You Love Me," among many others. The band was also one of the first big "video" bands, with over 10 no. 1 videos on MTV.
When the Night Ranger members parted ways in 1989, individual members were among the few artists who carried their successes into the nineties. Jack Blades founded Damn Yankees with Ted Nugent and Tommy Shaw, which enjoyed two platinum-selling albums as well as chart-topping singles and videos. Blades has also written songs for and performed on the CDs of many of the decade's biggest artists including Aerosmith and Journey. He also enjoys musical success as a studio owner and producer, having produced recent offerings from both Great White and Ted Nugent, among others. Jeff Watson released two star-studded solo records, Lone Ranger (featuring Sammy Hagar, Steve Smith of Journey, and Steve Morse of Deep Purple) and Around The Sun (featuring Steve Walsh of Kansas), as well as played on two Chris Isaak albums. He wrote songs for, and appeared in, several episodes of the hit CBS/Don Johnson TV series "Nash Bridges," and is enjoying overseas success with three albums from his heavy metal group Mother's Army, also featuring Joe Lynn Turner, Bob Daisley and Aynsley Dunbar. Alan Fitzgerald joined the Van Halen touring line-up during their early nineties heyday, and continues to tour with some of the industry top artists between Night Ranger 's hectic tour schedule. Brad Gillis put together several guest stars to record on his first solo album, Gilrock Ranch, which included Keagy on drums. In 2000 he released his follow-up solo CD, Alligator. Kelly Keagy is in the process of releasing his long-awaited first solo album, Time Passes.
By the summer of 1996, the Night Ranger members were ready to re-unite for a summer tour with Ted Nugent. Fan reaction convinced them that there was still an audience hungry for great rock-and-roll. For the last five years, Night Ranger has been touring every summer, tearing up the big stages with such acts as REO Speedwagon , Styx, Journey, Bad Company, Pat Benatar , Loverboy , Poison, Cinderella, and others. In response to the overwhelming success of the band's recent touring, MCA Records released The Best of Night Ranger: The Millennium Collection in 2000, a remastered CD, full of the band's best songs and biggest hits. As Night Ranger prepares to hit the road next year, it stands ready to continue bringing its guitar crunching, melodic brand of hard rock into the 21st century. Known worldwide for its high energy and musically stellar live shows, Night Ranger still garners nothing short of rave reviews from both media and fans. Considering how many of the past decade's bands are no longer at the forefront, that alone is proof that this is a band whose music is for all decades.
Night Ranger is:
Jack Blades - bass, lead vocals
Jeff Watson - guitars, vocals
Kelly Keagy - drums, lead vocals
Brad Gillis - guitars, vocals
Alan Fitzgerald - keyboards, vocals