Night Ranger
Tulalip Resort Casino, Tulalip, WA
11.04.17
Everyone was ready to rock for Night Ranger’s 35-year anniversary tour. The sold-out Tulalip Resort Casino was packed full of fans looking forward to an evening with the Bay Area rockers.
One of the greatest strengths of this seasoned band is that all five members can sing and they harmonized well throughout the night. Drummer Kelly Keagy and Bassist Jack Blades traded lead vocals through “A Touch Of Madness.” It was all smiles and memorable moments as the band members ran back and forth to each side of the stage.
Blades said every band has a “Na Na Na Na song,” before they played a medley of “Na Na Hey Hey (Kiss Him Goodbye) / Lovin’ Touchin’ Squeezin’ / Hey Jude.” He said, “Bryan Adams, Journey they all ripped off the ultimate Nana song…Hey Jude.”
“We have just been having fun for 35 years, but we are much better now. We are in our prime. And not medicated.” You would never guess that Blades, guitarist Brad Gillis, and Keagy are in their 60’s. The energy was infectious coming from the stage, and often had everyone up on their feet singing along.
“Somehow Someway” came from the latest 2017 release Don’t Let Up, and Blades mused, “We made it through a new song. We know how it goes when a band plays a new song.”
The evening was a catalog of greatest hits that have firmly cemented Night Ranger into the soundtrack of America. Keagy came out from behind his kit for the hit “Sentimental Street” with keyboardist Eric Levy.
They played a variety of songs that ranged from Damn Yankees, to a cover segment which showcased the incredible fretwork of guitarist Keri Kelli, who used to play with Alice Cooper. As they kicked into “Sweet Child O Mine,” Jack laughed and told the crowd, “I don’t know the words for this song, let’s try something else.” So, they ripped into “Eighteen,” goofing around and barely getting into the song before fully playing Alice’s classic, “Schools Out,” in its entirety.
As they started “Highway star,” Blades said, “We grew up listening to that and came up with our first record Dawn Patrol. We are going to take you back to that right now.” And they rocked into “Don’t Tell Me You Love Me.”
Keagy came to center stage and said, “The year is 1984. Ronald Regan is president and we are motoring.” Then he started an acapella rendition of one of the band’s biggest hits, “Sister Christian,” before he casually resumed his seat behind the kit and they concluded with an electric finish.
“You Can Still Rock In America” topped off a fantastic evening of classic rock songs. It was a great show, and after 35 years it was clear to all that Night Ranger have aged like a fine wine into pure rock perfection!
Night Ranger Set List
Touch Of Madness
Four In The Morning
Sing Met Away
Coming Of Age (Damn Yankees)
Somehow Someway
Secret of my Success
Na Na Hey Hey (Kiss Him Goodbye) / Lovin’ Touchin’ Squeezin’ / Hey Jude
Sentimental Street
I’m Eighteen/Schools Out (Alice Cooper Cover)
Crazy Train (Ozzy Osbourne Cover)
High Enough (Damn Yankees)
Goodbye
When U Close Your Eyes
Don’t Tell Me You Love Me / Highway Star
Encore
Sister Christian
(You Can Still) Rock In America
Review and photos by Neil Lim Sang
Night Ranger
