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NIGHT RANGER
Summerfest, Milwaukee, USA 7 July 2005

On a day when my spirits were low after watching the terrorist attacks on my home city from a hotel room TV, Night Ranger rocked away my troubles with a storming hour and 40 minute set on the Summerfest Classic Rock stage.

At their biggest between the end of AOR’s glory days and glitzier hair metal of the late 80’s, NR are too easily overlooked but are a sensational live act. Stunning rapid fire twin guitar duels between Jeff Watson and Brad Gillis, the latter striking some classic guitar hero poses, brought several songs to a blazing climax, notably Eddie’s Coming out tonight and set closer Don’t tell me you love me.

Probably nearing 50, the tiny Jack Blades still acts the hyperactive teenager and treated us to two Damn Yankees songs; while Johnny Vaughan lookalike Kelly Keagy, whose drumkit is located at the side of the stage rather than the back, added his distinctive voice to the ballads, shining on an acoustic slot and getting the sizeable crowd singing and swaying to Sister Christian. Not treating the gig too seriously, they also covered Highway to Hell and Once bitten twice Shy in honour of keyboardist Michael Lardie’s stay in Great White.

My only complaint was a lack of stuff from their two post-reunion albums but with classics like 7 Wishes, Rumours in the Air and When You Close Your Eyes, their final encore summed the night up - You can still rock in America.

****½

Review: Andy Nathan