Night Ranger is an American hard rock band from San Francisco, California. Formed in 1979 under the name "Stereo", the group was originally a trio composed of former Rubicon members Jack Blades (bass, lead vocals), Kelly Keagy (drums, lead vocals) and Brad Gillis (guitar, backing vocals).[1] In 1980, the group expanded to a five-piece with the addition of keyboardist Alan Fitzgerald and second guitarist Jeff Watson, as well as changing its name to "Ranger" and later Night Ranger.[2] After four commercially successful albums, the band experienced its first lineup change in early 1988 when Fitzgerald left prior to the recording of Man in Motion.[3] Jesse Bradman, one of the substitute performers on the album, subsequently joined the group full-time.[1] After Blades announced his departure, Night Ranger officially broke up in April 1989.[4]
Two years after disbanding, Night Ranger was reformed by Keagy and Gillis, who recruited Gary Moon as the replacement for Blades.[5] In 1993, David Zajicek joined the band as touring guitarist and keyboardist.[6] Following the release and touring of Feeding off the Mojo, Blades, Watson and Fitzgerald all returned to mark a reunion of the original five-piece lineup of Night Ranger, after being invited to tour Japan.[7] Two more studio albums followed, before Fitzgerald was replaced in 2003 by Michael Lardie of Great White.[8] Watson also left in April 2007, with Whitesnake's Reb Beach taking his place for subsequent tour dates.[9] Following a Japanese tour shortly after Beach's arrival, Lardie was replaced by Christian Matthew Cullen.[10] In January 2008, Joel Hoekstra joined the band full-time, as Beach returned to Whitesnake.[11][12]
Following the addition of Hoekstra, the Night Ranger lineup remained stable for three years, until Eric Levy replaced Cullen on keyboards in March 2011.[13] Hoekstra remained for two studio albums and one live release, before it was announced in August 2014 that he was leaving to join Beach in Whitesnake.[14] He was soon replaced by Keri Kelli, who had previously substituted for Hoekstra during shows in 2012 and 2013.[15][16]
- ^ a b "Night Ranger: Biography & History". AllMusic. Retrieved May 9, 2019.
- ^ Russell, Xavier (June 2018). "Boogie Night!" (PDF). Rock Candy. No. 8. p. 39. Retrieved May 9, 2019.
- ^ Giles, Jeff (March 1, 2017). "30 Years Ago: Night Ranger Struggle To Maintain Momentum With 'Big Life'". Ultimate Classic Rock. Retrieved May 9, 2019.
- ^ Rene, Sheila (April 14, 1989). "Here and There" (PDF). The Gavin Report. No. 1752. p. 21. Retrieved May 9, 2019.
- ^ Henriques, Christina (January 6, 1993). "Picking Up Where He Left Off". Miami New Times. Retrieved May 9, 2019.
- ^ McNeice, Andrew J. "Interviews: Night Ranger - Kelly Keagy". MelodicRock.com. Retrieved May 9, 2019.
- ^ Burgess, Mick (June 8, 2017). "Jack Blades (Night Ranger) Interview". Metal Express Radio. Retrieved May 9, 2019.
- ^ Devenish, Colin (July 2, 2003). "Great White Downsize Tour". Rolling Stone. Retrieved May 9, 2019.
- ^ "Night Ranger - Reb Beach To Replace Departed Jeff Watson On Upcoming Tour". Brave Words & Bloody Knuckles. April 10, 2007. Retrieved May 9, 2019.
- ^ Cavacini, Michael (July 20, 2018). "Christian Matthew Cullen Discusses Night Ranger". Michael Cavacini. Retrieved May 9, 2019.
- ^ Derrough, Leslie Michele (November 14, 2011). "Joel Hoekstra". Glide Magazine. Retrieved May 9, 2019.
- ^ Cavacini, Michael (June 8, 2018). "A Conversation With Joel Hoekstra". Michael Cavacini. Retrieved May 9, 2019.
- ^ "Please Make Welcome Eric Levy". Night Ranger. March 8, 2011. Archived from the original on July 14, 2011. Retrieved May 9, 2019.
- ^ DeRiso, Nick (August 21, 2014). "Guitarist Joel Hoekstra Leaves Night Ranger For Whitesnake". Ultimate Classic Rock. Retrieved May 9, 2019.
- ^ Munro, Scott (September 1, 2014). "Night Ranger name guitarist". Classic Rock. Retrieved May 9, 2019.
- ^ Mosqueda, Ruben (March 28, 2019). "Interview with A New Revenge and Night Ranger guitarist Keri Kelli". Sleaze Roxx. Retrieved May 9, 2019.