|
|
In an exclusive interview, Night Ranger front man Jack Blades talked
about the success of Night Ranger.
CNO Photo by Brandy Lewis
|
|
Night Ranger a quick fill in for Starship
Ohio proves special to the band
By George Starks
GREENVILLE- When Starship cancelled due to Mickie Richard’s illness and
the band was unable to open for Three Dog Night, the call went out. A
new band was needed to open at the Darke County Fair Sunday.
That call was answered by Night Ranger.
Even though the band was on the road in Missouri, the reaction was
favorable and front man for the group, Jack Blades, was happy it
happened.
"We were booked on playing shows near here," Blades said. "Our agency
called us and asked us if we wanted to tack one more show on our
schedule. We were actually on our way home from Missouri. We were going
to be home, relaxing and enjoying life. Then they told us it was Ohio
and it was the biggest fair in the country. We said, well why not.
Let's go and here we are."
While Ohio is just another state on the map, it is special for Night Ranger and for good reason.
"We got our start in Ohio," commented Blades. "Our first hit, Sister
Christian, was played on a station in Cleveland in 1984 and they played
it big time. It filtered down to Dayton and the next thing we know,
we're nationwide. We've had several other hits like Don't Tell Me You
Love Me, Sentimental Street, You Can Still Rock in America and the list
goes on and on. Sister Christian is the song that got us started and is
the song we are most known for. It was a massive hit across the country
and it took us from playing in small theaters into huge arenas. So we
owe it all to that song and Ohio."
Along with Blades was singer/drummer, Kelly Keagy. Keagy spoke of Three Dog Night.
"The very first concert I ever went to was in The Forum in Las Angles
in 1969 to see them," said Keagy. "So this group is special to me and
to be able to open for them is great."
Night Ranger was formed in 1980 and had their first album released in 1982, Dawn Patrol.
"That first album went on to sell a million copies," said Blades.
"Midnight Madness was our second album and it had You Can Still Rock in
America and Sister Christian on it. At that point, we toured the
country non stop."
Like most bands from the 80's. Night Ranger did split up and would all go their separate ways.
"I went on to form a band called Damn Yankees." said Tommy Shaw from
Styx and Ted Nugent and that group took off. When Damn Yankees was
over, Night Ranger got back together."
Blades went on to say it was the love of the music that brought the group back together.
Following the interview, Night Ranger opened at 7 p.m. with several
sets until electrical problems stopped them. They weren’t able to
perform their signature song, “Sister Christian.” Three Dog Night
followed with a few sets, then had to leave the stage after telling the
crowd everyone needed to clear out due to bad weather.
About 9 p.m. a lot of disappointed people left the Grandstand.
|
|
|
|
