Featuring ex-
Ozzy Osbourne guitarist
Brad Gillis and former
Montrose keyboardist
Alan Fitzgerald,
Night Ranger was one of the most popular mainstream
hard rock bands of the mid-'80s. The group formed in the early '80s in San Francisco; in addition to
Gillis and
Fitzgerald, the members included
Jack Blades (vocals, bass),
Jeff Watson (guitar), and
Kelly Keagy (drums). After a few local gigs, promoter
Bill Graham managed to get them supporting slots on
Judas Priest,
Santana, and
Doobie Brothers concerts.
Night Ranger's first album, Dawn Patrol (1982), reached number 38 on the U.S. charts, yet it was 1983's Midnight Madness that established the band as a commercial force. Featuring the AOR hit "(You Can Still) Rock in America" and the number five single "Sister Christian," the record peaked at number 15 and sold over a million copies. 1985's 7 Wishes was just as successful, reaching number ten on the charts.
Night Ranger's audience began to diminish after 1987's Big Life.
Fitzgerald left the following year and the band released their last album, Man in Motion, which failed to go gold or spawn any Top 40 singles.
Night Ranger broke up the next year.
Jack Blades joined the supergroup
Damn Yankees, which also featured
Ted Nugent and
Tommy Shaw. A reunited
Night Ranger returned in 1998 with Seven. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine, All Music Guide
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Hole in the Sun
Extended Versions