Featuring three original members, Jack Blades slapping the bass and belting lead vocals, Kelly Keagy pounding drums and adding additional lead vocals, and Brad Gillis wailing on guitar, as well as recent additions guitarist Tristan and keyboardist Eric Levy, Night Ranger rocked the Cape Coral Coconut Festival held at Sunsplash Family Fun Park.Although they've been relegated to the carnival and casino circuit where we find many of yesterday's superstars, I must admit that these five guys still know how to rock. For whatever the reason that Night Ranger failed to find the upper echelon notoriety of such acts as Motley Crue, Bon Jovi, and Def Lepard, the rock community apparently recognizes them amongst the best. Jack Blades enjoyed the privilege of being invited by legends Tommy Shaw and Ted Nugent to form the supergroup, The Damn Yankees during a period of Night Ranger hibernation and Brad Gillis spent time in the early 1980's playing for Ozzie, filling the gargantuan shoes of Randy Rhodes after his untimely death.
Brad Gillis's virtuosic guitar playing amazes me. He can easily hold a candle to Eddie Van Halen, Steve Vai, or Michael Schenker but for reasons unknown has failed to reach the elitist level of fame. It's mesmerizing to watch Brad play. He knows every heavy metal trick in the book and pulls out all of the stops. His large frame makes the guitar look diminutive and he whips it around like a feather.
Jack Blades also knows how to wow the audience. As the consummate performer, Jack captivates the entire audience with his witty banter and lends the typical high pitched 1980's vocals, although ironically, drummer Kelly Keagy sings lead on the band's biggest hit, "Sister Christian".Enjoy the link below as they perform that classic hit live.
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