Wednesday, September 5, 2012

Night Ranger Jumps On The Unplugged Bandwagon Two Decades After The Fact

Like I said before, the time that I met Night Ranger backstage prior to a small town festival gig, they proved to be swell dudes. Of course, that yub-yub Republican Jack Blades wasn't part of the line-up then (he was too busy going over G.O.P. talking-points with Ted Nugent in Damn Yankees at that point) so I only got to talk to Kelly Keagy and guitarist Brad Gillis, so let me clarify by saying that Kelly and Brad of Night Ranger appear to be swell dudes while the others, particularly Alan "Fitz" Fitzgerald, were complete assholes.

I kid, I kid!

But isn't it strange that the moment that "Fitz" departs to go play keyboards behind stage for Van Halen concerts, Night Ranger's popularity takes a nosedive?

Coincidence? I think not!

And here's a bit of wild trivia that nobody gives a shit about: Jack Blades teamed up with former-Styx guitarist Tommy Shaw to form Damn Yankees, while former Night Ranger guitarist Jeff Watson now plays the role of Tommy Shaw during Dennis DeYoung solo tours.

To the twenty-eight people reading this that were already knew about that exciting Night Ranger trivia, I give you the press release announcing a new Night Ranger album, which again, points out that "Sister Christian" was used in the movie Boogie Nights even though that movie's been out for over 15 years now.


(New York, NY) - As a celebration of the 30th anniversary of their debut album, Dawn Patrol, and hot on the heels of their 10th studio album, Somewhere In California, Night Ranger will release a very special newly-recorded live "greatest hits" CD/DVD package: 24 Strings & A Drummer - Live & Acoustic is due out on October 22nd in North America via Frontiers Records.  The album and DVD were recorded live in an intimate, all-acoustic setting with a select number of fans at TRI Studios in San Rafael, CA in May, 2012 and features some of their greatest hits such as "(You Can Still) Rock In America" and "Sister Christian" with refreshing new acoustic arrangements.  The result is a testament to Night Ranger's stellar live show and the strength of their songwriting abilities.  

Night Ranger's profile has been particularly high of late, with the band recently appearing on an episode of ABC's Bachelor Pad during the final challenge and Night Ranger frontman Jack Blades performing live during the Republican National Convention.  Night Ranger's legendary hits "Sister Christian," "(You Can Still) Rock in America," and "Don't Tell Me You Love Me" are songs that have each significantly impacted popular culture and expanded their ever-growing fanbase since the band's inception thirty years ago. Over the years, the band's music has made notable contributions to and been featured in many different areas of media and popular culture.  Night Ranger's songs can be heard in the Rock Band and Guitar Hero video games; Rock of Ages hit Broadway musical and film; the Oscar-nominated film Boogie Nights; FOX's hit TV Show American Dad; JBL's "Hear The Truth" campaign; and many more! To date, Night Ranger has sold 17 million units worldwide and boasts several platinum- and gold-certified albums.  Night Ranger is Jack Blades (bass guitar, vocals), Kelly Keagy (drums, vocals), Brad Gillis (lead & rhythm guitars), Joel Hoekstra (lead & rhythm guitars) and Eric Levy (keyboards).

24 STRINGS & A DRUMMER - LIVE & ACOUSTIC CD track listing:
1.    This Boy Needs To Rock
2.    When You Close Your Eyes
3.    Sing Me Away
4.    Growin' Up In California
5.    The Secret Of My Success
6.    Sentimental Street
7.    Four In The Morning
8.    Let Him Run/Goodbye
9.    Forever All Over Again
10.  Don't Tell Me You Love Me
11.  Sister Christian
12.  (You Can Still) Rock In America
13.  Boys Of Summer - bonus track

24 STRINGS & A DRUMMER - LIVE & ACOUSTIC DVD track listing:
1.    This Boy Needs To Rock
2.    When You Close Your Eyes
3.    Sing Me Away
4.    Growin' Up In California
5.    The Secret Of My Success
6.    Sentimental Street
7.    Four In The Morning
8.    Let Him Run/Goodbye
9.    Forever All Over Again
10.  Don't Tell Me You Love Me
11.  Sister Christian
12.  (You Can Still) Rock In America
Bonus features: Night Ranger All Access/Growin' Up In California video/Making of the album SOMEWHERE IN CALIFORNIA
DVD Stereo Mix 2.0/5.1 - Screen 16:9
Total DVD length approximately 100 minutes


For more information please visit:

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

You're absolutely right, this may have bought them s few more minutes of fame back in '92. No way it sells more than 10000 units, including digital downloads. I watched the vid for Sentimental Street a while back. Not bad.