Concert Review
Night Ranger
Saturday November 7, 2026
The Vine Showroom
del Lago Resort & Casino
Waterloo, NY
Review/Photos: Joseph Suto
Night Ranger made a return appearance to the Vine Showroom inside the del Lago Resort & Casino Saturday evening. It was their first show back to the Vine since 2018. As bassist/vocalist Jack Blades eluded to remembering that it seemed so long ago. The band played all the songs one would expect to be played along with a few Damn Yankees gems.
Night Ranger came to be out of the ashes of the pop/funk group Rubicon. That’s when Jack Blades joined Kelly Keagy and guitarist Brad Gillis and the band went by a few names before deciding on Ranger. The band came across an issue as they tried to incorporate the name officially in 1982 but found out a country band were going by the Rangers. Thus the change to Night Ranger named after a song from their debut Dawn Patrol. Despite a crazy start the band hit right out of the gate with their first single as “Don’t Tell Me You Love Me” peaked at #40 with the aid of their video being on MTV.
While the band decided to split up in 1989 it gave Blades a chance to spread his wings with a super-group called Damn Yankees. That band featured Blades, former Styx guitarist Tommy Shaw, guitarist Ted Nugent and drummer Michael Cartellone. Night Ranger reconvened in 1996 with its original lineup for a bit but the core members Blades, Keagy and Gillis have kept things rolling. Keyboardist Eric Levy joined in 2011 and guitarist Keri Kelli in 2014 and the lineup has remained stable since.
Saturday night the band rolled into Waterloo, NY and showed other bands how it should be done. It did not take long for the band to grab the crowd’s attention as they opened with rocker “(You Can Still) Rock In America” to set the mood. With three members 70 plus years old or nearing, you would have not known from their youthful stage presence and appearances.
They stuck mostly to their popular songs but the 90-minute set did feature a pair of classic Damn Yankees cuts in “Coming Of Age” and “High Enough”. Oddly enough these were the newest songs in the set coming from the Damn Yankees 1990 self-titled album. All the other Night Ranger songs were from their 80’s catalog.
The set seemed to build steam with a run through some gold such as “Goodbye”, “When You Close Your Eyes” before concluding with “Don’t Tell Me You Love Me” and the big song of the catalog, the top-5 smash “Sister Christian”. One note on “Sister Christian” that really stood out was the amazing solo performed by Gillis. One of those had to be there moments to experience it in person. He nailed it.
Night Ranger have said in the past that they will continue to create new music and tour. It keeps them revitalized and they are having a blast and will continue to do so until someone says they can’t. For many of the fans it’s about the nostalgia. That certain song taking them back in time if only for one night. Forty four years later Night Ranger keep motorin’ along as they appear far from the sun setting down.
Night Ranger Set
(You Can Still) Rock In America
Sing Me Away
Four in the Morning
Coming Of Age (Damn Yankees Cover)
Sentimental Street
Rumours in the Air
The Secret of My Success
Night Ranger (with drum Solo)
High Enough (Damn Yankees Cover)
Goodbye
When You Close Your Eyes
Don’t Tell Me You Love Me
Sister Christian
Website: www.nightranger.com
