Night Ranger

 

Night Ranger, is a U.S. rock band formed in San Francisco, California. The quintet are most known for the power ballad "Sister Christian", which peaked at #5 in early 1984.  The group's nucleus formed in Rubicon, a pop group led by Jerry Martini of Sly and the Family Stone fame. After Rubicon's demise in 1979, bassist Jack Blades (b. 1954) formed a hard rock trio with drummer Kelly Keagy (b. 1952) and guitarist Brad Gillis (b. 1957). Performing under the name Stereo, the threesome later added keyboardist Alan Fitzgerald (b. 1949), a former member of Montrose and the offstage keyboard player for Van Halen 1991-1995 & 2004, Gamma, and the Sammy Hagar group. Fitz soon recommended enlisting a second virtuoso guitarist, Jeff Watson (b. 1956), who led his own band in Northern California. The seeds were sown for a new melodic hard rock band, initially called simply Ranger.

In 1982, the band subsequently changed its name to Night Ranger after a country band, The Rangers, claimed a trademark infringement. By this point, they had recorded Dawn Patrol for Boardwalk Records, opening for ZZ Top and Ozzy Osbourne; the latter performer employed Brad Gillis as an alternate guitarist for the recently deceased Randy Rhoads. When Boardwalk folded under, producer Bruce Bird secured Night Ranger a deal with MCA Camel in 1983.

The band's modest hit single, "Don't Tell Me You Love Me," received a boost through its MTV video airplay and managed to peak at #40 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. Jack Blades' puppy-dog appeal seemed to win over female fans, while Gillis and Watson's duelling guitars pleased the same male audience that guitar-driven bands such as Van Halen had already begun to cultivate.  Their first albums struck a balance between hard rockers laden with sexual innuendo, and accessible pop ballads to guarantee airplay.  Night Ranger's hold solidified with their second album, "Midnight Madness," which featured the ballads "When You Close Your Eyes" and "Sister Christian," written and sung by Kelly Keagy for his own sister. It became a cautionary anthem for teenage girls across a conservative America, warning them not to "give it up before their time is due."  The album's success pushed the band from opening act to headliner status by the summer of 1984.  With "(You Can Still) Rock In America," Night Ranger also appealed to the patriotic themes pushed forward by both Ted Nugent and Sammy Hagar. It also paid off for the band, who netted two Top Twenty singles and a Top Five hit with "Sister Christian," the song which would later prove the band's milestone.  See Night Ranger Live!  Purchase your Night Ranger tickets today!