Night Ranger Performs at Tioga Downs Casino and Vernon Downs Casino
Classic American rock band Night Ranger performed on Thursday, July 11 at Tioga Downs Casino and Resort’s and Friday, July 12 at Vernon Downs Casino‘s annual fundraising events. The Tioga event benefitted the Southern Tier Veterans Support Group whereas the Vernon event benefitted the Central New York Food Bank. Tickets for each were a meager $20 per person and were nearly sold out with all proceeds going to each charity. Owner, CEO, and philanthropist Jeffrey Gural announced he would be matching all ticket sales as well.
315 Music was at Tioga Downs.
Kicking off a little after 8 pm, following a color guard presentation of the National Anthem, Night Ranger started the night honoring vets with the aptly titled “(You Can Still) Rock in America,” from their 1983 album Midnight Madness followed by “Four in the Morning,” and “Sing Me Away.” Night Ranger has been rocking across the America as well as world stages since 1982. Known for many tremendous hits, they are probably best known for their mega power ballad “Sister Christian” from the Midnight Madness album.
Night Ranger members currently consist of original members Jack Blades – bass, lead and backing vocals, rhythm, and acoustic guitars, Brad Gillis – lead and rhythm guitars, backing vocals and Kelly Keagy – drums, percussion, lead, and backing vocals. Other members include guitarist Keri Kelli who has played with Alice Cooper and Slash and last but not least, Eric Levy on keys, synth, and piano.
For many fans in the crowd, this was not their first time seeing Night Ranger. However, Blades enjoyed getting the fans to engage, asking the crowd how many had heard of the band, how many had seen the band before, and how many were experiencing their first Night Ranger show. Night Ranger was just coming off a nearly three-week break before starting this summer run. Several members of Night Ranger have been in other bands over the years, including Gillis who played with Ozzy Osbourne, replacing Randy Rhoads following the tragic accident that killed Rhoads. Blades has been a member of Damn Yankees and Shaw Blades. Kelli, as stated, has played with Alice Cooper and Slash.
Not only did Night Ranger perform many of their well-known songs, but they also threw into the mix to entertain the crowd, the intro to GnR’s “Sweet Child O’ Mine,” “Schools Out” by Cooper, and Ozzy Osbourne’s “Crazy Train”. Night Ranger deviated from their typical set list from their last couple of shows and added a beautiful acoustic rendition of “Goodbye” from their 1985 album 7 Wishes. Blades explained this song was written following the death of his younger brother to an overdose and shared how sometimes it’s easier to touch people and experience emotion through song. It was a touching tribute.
Throughout the evening Night Ranger continued to enthrall the audience with massive hits like “Sentimental Street,” “When You Close Your Eyes,” and “High Enough” by Damn Yankees before closing with “Sister Christian.”
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