Aside From  Memorable 1980's Hits, Boys Offer Up a Few Surprises & Prove These Boys Need to Rock

Jeff Walker,  Entertainment Writer

44 years down the road, and wth three original members intact, Night Ranger continue to delight audiences each and every year. With six Top 40 hits, including classic rock radio staples, as well as their biggest across the board hit 'Sister Christian', Night Ranger are one of rock n' roll's most durable touring bands.

Friday (Aug 21st) night the boys brought their signature songs and a few surprises to the Charleston Music Hall. With founding members Brad Gillis, Jack Blades, and Kelly Keagy still at the helm, Night Ranger entertained a near sell-out crowd for over 90 minutes.

With Ozzy Osbourne's 'Shot in the Dark' resounding throughout the concert venue, Night Ranger took to the stage to the Beastie Boy's '(You Gotta) Fight for Your Right', kicking off their show with 'This Boy Needs to Rock'. Their rock n' roll anthem from 1985 off the album '7 Wishes' has become one of Night Ranger's calling cards, proving rock n' roll is alive and well in 2026.

Offering up 14 songs and a few back stories during the evening Night Ranger had concert goers singing along to familiar lyrics and choruses, with hardly anyone in their seats. While the crowd was mostly made up of baby boomers, there were several younger attendees who no doubt appreciate iconic songs, and even greater musicianship.

Four songs in Jack Blades belted out 'Coming of Age', one of a few hits he enjoyed while fronting the super group Damn Yankees during the early 90's, during a short Night Ranger hiatus. He would add a medley of Damn Yankee's two biggest hits including 'High Enough' later in their set.

The mash up of 'Na Na Hey Hey Kiss Him Goodbye' by one hit wonder Steam, alongside 'Lovin' Touchin' Squeezin' by Journey, and the Beatle's 'Hey Jude' was well received, allowing 'na na na na na' are one of the most used song lyrics by veteran songwriters, and makes for a great audience participation number. They followed with 'The Secret of My Success', the 1987 title track from the hugely popular Michael J. Fox' film of the same name.

In what can be best described as a touching moment, the founding members paid homage to Frank Beard, the legendary drummer with ZZ Top who died recently. The guys recalled touring with the guys in 1984 on ZZ Top's 'Eliminator Tour'. After the salute Night Ranger served up a raucous rendition of 'Tush'.

Just a few weeks shy of turning 74, Keagy's hard hitting drum solo was an epic event, further enhanced as a couple of band members and roadies joined in minutes later, rotating around Keagy, proving five drummers with 10 drum sticks can provide Night Ranger fans awesome concert memories, and air guitar (or drum kit) moments.

The extended percussion event was a nice prelude to the final Damn Yankees nod, and the band's race to the finish, as well as demonstrating Keagy still has the goods to beat the skins, as do Blades and Gillis on the bass and lead guitar respectively. A few lucky fans were afforded the sticks after the drum finale.

Night Ranger brought the concert to a climax with a triple Top 40 threat, sending out 'When You Close Your Eyes', 'Don't Tell Me You Love Me', and the obvious show closer 'Sister Christian'. The latter written by Keagy as a tribute to his sister, remains their biggest hit, peaking at #5 in 1984 and remaining on the charts for 24 weeks.

Spending 90 minutes with Night Ranger is much like taking a trip back to yesteryear, ripe with classic hits, awesome sing-alongs, and incredible dual guitar harmonies courtesy of Blades and Gillis, with both commanding the stage seemingly as well as he did four decades earlier.

But make no mistake, although Night Ranger have been defined by a couple of their power ballads, this five piece ensemble know how to rock, offering up hard hitting guitar numbers that run at locomotive speed. Coupled with smoke machines, a laser light show, and three video screens providing fire as a backdrop, their show at the Charleston Music Hall which holds just under a 1000 people felt more like an arena or stadium concert.

Aside from a quick one off in Japan on August 29th opening for Journey, Night Ranger continue to rock across America throughout 2026 and well into spring of next year. To catch them near you visit https://nightranger.com/events/