The majority of bands in music history go through tons of lineup changes throughout their career; it happened to the Little River Band members, it happened to The Cowsills members and the Night Ranger band members were no exception. However, three core Night Ranger band members have kept the spirit of the band alive amidst all the shifts.
Jukebox Saturday Night looks back at Night Ranger band history and unpacks the careers of the current Night Ranger band members who have been there since the start: Jack Blades, Brad Gillis and Kelly Keagy.
#1 Jack Blades
A big reason why Blades, Gillis and Keagy are key to the legacy of Night Ranger is that they were the original trio that Blades formed in 1979, back when the band was called Stereo. While this wasn’t the formal beginning of Night Ranger yet, when Blades enlisted the two members to join the band, it laid the foundation for the thriving career of Night Ranger.
Even the band’s current name can be credited to Blades. The band initially took on the name Ranger. However, in 1982, they found out that there was a country band called The Rangers. Thankfully, Blades had written ‘Night ranger’ for their album that year, Dawn Patrol, and the rest is history.
Blades, on top of being the lead singer and bassist, was also the mind behind many of the Night Ranger songs. This includes the iconic anthem, ‘(You can still) Rock in America’. Blades wrote this in response to voices in the industry proclaiming that rock was dead. The cathartic love letter to rock music’s longevity quickly became a Top 40 hit and even peaked at the number four spot on Billboard’s rock charts.
Years active in Night Ranger
Blades was a part of Night Ranger for almost all of the years the band was active. He performed on all of the albums the band released except for one, Feeding off the mojo in 1995. This is because Blades left the band in 1989 to form the Damn Yankees. However, it wasn’t long after that he made a return in 1996, reforming the band with all the original Night Ranger members present in the lineup.
#2 Brad Gillis
Gilis used to be a part of Rubicon, a 1970s funk rock band, along with Blades, before they teamed up for Night Ranger. As he was there from the very beginning of the ensemble, the guitarist has become one of the most recognisable Night Ranger band members.
However, his position as a core member of the group isn’t just because of his presence during the band’s formation. It’s also because he’s one of the only two members who have been a constant part of the band throughout all its active years. So, with every incarnation of the band and every studio album release, fans could find Gilis behind the guitar.
That’s not to say, whoever, that he didn’t have any other musical pursuits outside of the band. Gillis was able to juggle his time with Night Ranger along with his other work, including his solo albums Gilrock ranch (1993) and Alligator (2000). He’s also appeared with other 80s rock bands and artists like Vicious Rumors and Fiona.
#3 Kelly Keagy
Wondering who among the Night Ranger band members was the other talent to remain in the band throughout every lineup? It’s none other than Kelly Keagy. Along with Gilis, Keagy was there for every version of Night Ranger and appeared in all their releases.
Keagy is the drummer of the band, but he also sang lead vocals for many of the group’s hits, like ‘Sing Me Away’ and ‘Sentimental street’. He was also the lead vocalist of ‘Sister Christian’, the power ballad he wrote that went on to become the band’s biggest hit. The track, which is the lead single of Midnight madness, stayed on the charts for 24 weeks and peaked at number five.
Like Gillis, despite Keagy’s consistent presence as one of the Night Ranger band members, he still managed to pursue musical work outside the group. He appeared on studio albums with King of Hearts and with the one-off band he was a part of, The Mob. Keay also dropped two solo albums, Time passes (2001) and I’m alive (2007).
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Who are the original members of Night Ranger?
When the founding trio expanded in 1980, right before Night Ranger was formally established, the original line was born. This included the original trio of Blades, Gillis and Keagy and two new Night Ranger band members: keyboardist Alan Fitzgerald and guitarist Jeff Watson.
What is the legacy of Night Ranger in rock music?
With over 17 million albums sold across the globe and powerful performances on thousands of stages, Night Ranger has left a legacy of unbridled rock excellence. The band’s blend of hard rock riffs, glam metal influences, catchy melodies, cathartic lyrics and breathtaking lyrics helped mould the landscape of rock music as we know it today.
What is the current lineup of Night Ranger?
Aside from Jack Blades, Brad Gillis and Kelly Keagy, the current Night Ranger Members include Eric Levy and Keri Kelli. You can find Levy on the keyboards, synthesisers and piano, while Kelli plays lead and rhythm guitars along with Gillis.
Get into the groove
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Want to jam to the tunes from the Back in Black album and other hits from classic rock bands? Want to reacquaint yourself with the funky melodies and exhilarating beats of forgotten 70s bands? Then catch our program on Foxtel, Aurora Channel 173. We air from 7.30 p.m. to 8.30 p.m. on Saturdays, with encores on Sunday nights at 9.00 p.m. and Tuesday nights at 9.30 p.m.
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Disclaimer: The information provided is for educational and entertainment purposes only. While we strive for accuracy, music history is often based on available documentation and interpretation.
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