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List of Night Ranger members

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Members of Night Ranger performing live in 2008 (top) and 2009 (bottom).

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]

Members

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Current

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Image Name Years active Instruments Release contributions
Kelly Keagy.jpg
Kelly Keagy
  • 1979–1989
  • 1991–present
  • drums
  • percussion
  • lead and backing vocals
all Night Ranger releases
Brad Gillis Live.png
Brad Gillis
  • lead and rhythm guitars
  • backing vocals
Night Ranger live.jpg
Jack Blades
  • 1979–1989
  • 1996–present
  • bass
  • lead and backing vocals
  • acoustic and rhythm guitars
all Night Ranger releases, except Feeding off the Mojo (1995)
Eric Levy 2011–present
  • keyboards
  • synthesizers
  • piano
  • backing vocals
all Night Ranger releases from Somewhere in California (2011) onwards
Keri_Kelli.jpg
Keri Kelli 2014–present
(plus select shows in 2012 and 2013)
  • lead and rhythm guitars
  • backing vocals
  • 35 Years and a Night in Chicago (2016)
  • Don't Let Up (2017)
  • ATBPO (2021)

Former

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Image Name Years active Instruments Release contributions
Alan Fitzgerald
  • 1980–1988
  • 1996–2003
  • keyboards
  • synthesizers
  • piano
  • backing vocals
all releases from Dawn Patrol (1982) to Big Life (1987), and from Neverland (1997) to Seven (1998)
Jeff Watson 1993.jpg
Jeff Watson
  • 1980–1989
  • 1996–2007
  • lead and rhythm guitars
  • keyboards
  • backing vocals
all releases from Dawn Patrol (1982) to Live in Japan (1990), and from Neverland (1997) to Hole in the Sun (2007)
Jesse Bradman 1988–1989
  • keyboards
  • piano
  • backing vocals
Gary Moon 1991–1996
  • bass
  • lead and backing vocals
Feeding off the Mojo (1995)
MichaelLardie.JPG
Michael Lardie 2003–2007
  • keyboards
  • synthesizers
  • piano
  • backing vocals
  • Hole in the Sun (2007)
  • Rockin' Shibuya 2007 (2008)
Christian Matthew Cullen 2007–2011 none
Whitesnake San Antonio 2015 3.jpg
Joel Hoekstra 2008–2014
  • lead and rhythm guitars
  • backing vocals
  • Somewhere in California (2011)
  • 24 Strings and a Drummer (2012)
  • High Road (2014)

Touring

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Image Name Years active Instruments Details
David Zajicek 1993–1996
(died 2016)
  • rhythm guitar
  • keyboards
  • backing vocals
Zajicek joined Night Ranger's touring lineup in 1993, as well as contributing guitar to Feeding off the Mojo.[1][6]
Whitesnake_San_Antonio_2015_1.jpg
Reb Beach 2007–2008
  • lead and rhythm guitars
  • backing vocals
After Watson was fired, Beach replaced him in the band for 2007 dates, appearing on Rockin' Shibuya 2007.[9]
Deen Castronovo
  • 2011
  • 2017
  • drums
  • percussion
  • backing and lead vocals
Castronovo substituted for Keagy in 2011, and again during 2017 after the drummer had a heart operation.[17]
Brandon Ethridge 2012
  • keyboards
  • synthesizers
  • piano
  • backing vocals
Ethridge substituted for Levy for one show on September 1, 2012, as his wife was giving birth.[citation needed]
Fred Coury - Cinderella (cropped).jpg
Fred Coury 2017 drums Coury substituted for Keagy alongside Castronovo, while the regular drummer was recovering from surgery.[17]

Timeline

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Lineups

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Period Members Releases
1979–1980 none – live performances only
1980
  • Jack Blades – bass, lead vocals
  • Kelly Keagy – drums, percussion, lead vocals
  • Brad Gillis – guitar, backing vocals
  • Alan Fitzgerald – keyboards, backing vocals
1980 – early 1988
  • Jack Blades – bass, lead vocals
  • Kelly Keagy – drums, percussion, lead vocals
  • Brad Gillis – guitar, backing vocals
  • Jeff Watson – guitar, backing vocals
  • Alan Fitzgerald – keyboards, backing vocals
Early – mid-1988
  • Jack Blades – bass, lead vocals
  • Kelly Keagy – drums, percussion, lead vocals
  • Brad Gillis – guitar, backing vocals
  • Jeff Watson – guitar, keyboards, backing vocals
Late 1988 – April 1989
  • Jack Blades – bass, lead vocals
  • Kelly Keagy – drums, percussion, lead vocals
  • Brad Gillis – guitar, backing vocals
  • Jeff Watson – guitar, backing vocals
  • Jesse Bradman – keyboards, backing vocals
  • Live in Japan (1990)
Band inactive April 1989 – mid-1991
Mid-1991 – mid-1996
  • Gary Moon – bass, lead vocals
  • Kelly Keagy – drums, percussion, lead vocals
  • Brad Gillis – guitar, backing vocals
June 1996 – early 2003
  • Jack Blades – bass, guitar, lead vocals
  • Kelly Keagy – drums, percussion, lead vocals
  • Brad Gillis – guitar, backing vocals
  • Jeff Watson – guitar, backing vocals
  • Alan Fitzgerald – keyboards, backing vocals
Early 2003 – April 2007
  • Jack Blades – bass, guitar, lead vocals
  • Kelly Keagy – drums, percussion, lead vocals
  • Brad Gillis – guitar, backing vocals
  • Jeff Watson – guitar, backing vocals
  • Michael Lardie – keyboards, backing vocals
April – June 2007
  • Jack Blades – bass, guitar, lead vocals
  • Kelly Keagy – drums, percussion, lead vocals
  • Brad Gillis – guitar, backing vocals
  • Reb Beach – guitar, backing vocals (touring)
  • Michael Lardie – keyboards, backing vocals
  • Rockin' Shibuya 2007 (2008)
June 2007 – January 2008
  • Jack Blades – bass, guitar, lead vocals
  • Kelly Keagy – drums, percussion, lead vocals
  • Brad Gillis – guitar, backing vocals
  • Reb Beach – guitar, backing vocals (touring)
  • Christian M. Cullen – keyboards, backing vocals
none – live performances only
January 2008 – March 2011
  • Jack Blades – bass, guitar, lead vocals
  • Kelly Keagy – drums, percussion, lead vocals
  • Brad Gillis – guitar, backing vocals
  • Joel Hoekstra – guitar, backing vocals
  • Christian M. Cullen – keyboards, backing vocals
March 2011 – August 2014
  • Jack Blades – bass, guitar, lead vocals
  • Kelly Keagy – drums, percussion, lead vocals
  • Brad Gillis – guitar, backing vocals
  • Joel Hoekstra – guitar, backing vocals
  • Eric Levy – keyboards, backing vocals
September 2014 – present
  • Jack Blades – bass, guitar, lead vocals
  • Kelly Keagy – drums, percussion, lead vocals
  • Brad Gillis – guitar, backing vocals
  • Keri Kelli – guitar, backing vocals
  • Eric Levy – keyboards, backing vocals
  • 35 Years and a Night in Chicago (2016)
  • Don't Let Up (2017)
  • ATBPO (2021)

References

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  1. ^ a b c "Night Ranger: Biography & History". AllMusic. Retrieved May 9, 2019.
  2. ^ Russell, Xavier (June 2018). "Boogie Night!" (PDF). Rock Candy. No. 8. p. 39. Retrieved May 9, 2019.
  3. ^ Giles, Jeff (March 1, 2017). "30 Years Ago: Night Ranger Struggle To Maintain Momentum With 'Big Life'". Ultimate Classic Rock. Retrieved May 9, 2019.
  4. ^ Rene, Sheila (April 14, 1989). "Here and There" (PDF). The Gavin Report. No. 1752. p. 21. Retrieved May 9, 2019.
  5. ^ Henriques, Christina (January 6, 1993). "Picking Up Where He Left Off". Miami New Times. Retrieved May 9, 2019.
  6. ^ a b McNeice, Andrew J. "Interviews: Night Ranger - Kelly Keagy". MelodicRock.com. Retrieved May 9, 2019.
  7. ^ Burgess, Mick (June 8, 2017). "Jack Blades (Night Ranger) Interview". Metal Express Radio. Retrieved May 9, 2019.
  8. ^ Devenish, Colin (July 2, 2003). "Great White Downsize Tour". Rolling Stone. Retrieved May 9, 2019.
  9. ^ a b "Night Ranger - Reb Beach To Replace Departed Jeff Watson On Upcoming Tour". Brave Words & Bloody Knuckles. April 10, 2007. Retrieved May 9, 2019.
  10. ^ Cavacini, Michael (July 20, 2018). "Christian Matthew Cullen Discusses Night Ranger". Michael Cavacini. Retrieved May 9, 2019.
  11. ^ Derrough, Leslie Michele (November 14, 2011). "Joel Hoekstra". Glide Magazine. Retrieved May 9, 2019.
  12. ^ Cavacini, Michael (June 8, 2018). "A Conversation With Joel Hoekstra". Michael Cavacini. Retrieved May 9, 2019.
  13. ^ "Please Make Welcome Eric Levy". Night Ranger. March 8, 2011. Archived from the original on July 14, 2011. Retrieved May 9, 2019.
  14. ^ DeRiso, Nick (August 21, 2014). "Guitarist Joel Hoekstra Leaves Night Ranger For Whitesnake". Ultimate Classic Rock. Retrieved May 9, 2019.
  15. ^ Munro, Scott (September 1, 2014). "Night Ranger name guitarist". Classic Rock. Retrieved May 9, 2019.
  16. ^ Mosqueda, Ruben (March 28, 2019). "Interview with A New Revenge and Night Ranger guitarist Keri Kelli". Sleaze Roxx. Retrieved May 9, 2019.
  17. ^ a b "Night Ranger's Kelly Keagy Takes Leave Of Absence Following Successful Heart Procedure". Blabbermouth.net. April 14, 2017. Retrieved May 9, 2019.
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