The truth is that behind the scenes, many of the bands we see onstage today are less about fun and more about business. And that’s fine, but as a fan who loves said band’s music, you’d like to think that the musicians onstage at least like each other, right?
Alas, another hard truth is that more often than not, that’s not the case, but not when it comes to Night Ranger; just ask Jack Blades: “When you come backstage to our dressing room, we’ve got music blasting,” Blades tells Goldmine. “We’re listening to Metallica, Keith Richards’ Main Offender or Judas Priest.”
He continues, “We’re taking tequila shots and genuinely happy to be together. It’s so funny; one time, a manager from another band we were on tour with came back and said, ‘Wow, you guys actually like each other, don’t you?’ And we were like, ‘Uh, yeah! We’re having a blast.’ So, that’s the key to Night Ranger; we’re having a blast out there, man. We’re enjoying every minute of this, and we’ll keep doing it until it’s not fun anymore.”
The fun inherent within Night Ranger’s ranks is refreshing, to be sure. What’s also refreshing is the continued success the group have experienced, as evidenced by their latest offering, 40 Years and a Night, a live record that found Blades and company backed by an 80-piece orchestra in support of the group’s iconic cuts.
Grandiose as that is, combined with
