LAKE COUNTY — Kelly Keagy, drummer and vocalist of Night Ranger, has fond memories of Clear Lake. When he was growing up his family vacationed here. It was a short trip from the Bay Area, where he lived as a child.
He”s excited to come back to the area and play at Konocti Harbor Resort & Spa on the Aug.21 in the Joe Mazzola Indoor Showroom.
“I remember, as a kid going to Clear Lake. I remember all sorts of good vibes,” he said.
The band Night Ranger, was a smash hit in 1984 when the song “Sister Christian” echoed through graduation halls across the country. Three original Night Ranger band members, Brad Gillis, Jack Blades and Keagy played together in the band Rubicon in the ”70s.
Prior to that, Keagy said he first met Gillis when Gillis auditioned for Keagy”s band Rags.
“Brad played like Jeff Beck and Hendrix back then. He played with Ozzie Ozbourne in ”82,” Keagy said.
Night Ranger was originally called Ranger.
“Ten-thousand album covers were printed that said,?Ranger,” and then we learned that a country music band already had that name for 20 years or so. I wish I could find one of those albums,” Keagy said.
He said that they made a quick decision to make it Night Ranger so the rest of the album covers could be printed.
“There was a song called ?Night Ranger” on the album,” he said.
Keagy said “We”ve got the best band right now, that we have ever had.”
He also remembers the early days of Night Ranger when MTV first came out. He said the band”s hit “Don”t tell me you love me,” video played about every two hours.
“I remember walking to the laundromat and having people say, ?Hey, I just saw you on MTV,”” Keagy said.
Night Ranger was selling out shows and it was barely on its second album.
During the course of more than a quarter-century, band members were involved with independent or solo-ventures, including Blades, who recorded with the “Damn Yankees.”
Keagy worked at a gas station and computer chip company before age 20. Once he realized he could make a living in music he remained there ever since.
“Once you start to be serious about music, there”s no turning back,” he said.
Night Ranger band members are Christian Cullen, Kelly Keagy, Jack Blades, Joel Hoekstra and Brad Gillis. Night Ranger is performing at Konocti Harbor Resort & Spa on Aug. 21. To order tickets by phone, call direct to the Konocti Harbor Resort and Spa at 800-660-LAKE or order tickets on line or get tickets at all Tickets.com locations or visit www.konoctiharbor.com. The venue is located at 8727 Soda Bay Road.
