Night Ranger
December 21, 2018
The Palace Theatre
By Kellie Gormly
The title of Friday night’s concert at The Palace Theatre in Greensburg was a bit misleading: The Night Ranger Before Christmas. We thought we’d hear at least a carol or two, see Christmas decorations on the stage, and the like. That would have been nice, fitting and seasonal.
But, there was no sign of the yuletide spirit in Night Ranger’s concert: It was a regular concert by the legendary band known mostly for its many hits in the early to mid-1980s. But, we happily took it. Even after some 35 years, the band gives a powerful and delightful performance.
Kelly Keagy performed double-duty as always, by alternating between fronting the band with his smooth vocals and playing the drums – and sometimes, doing both at the same time. Keagy’s voice still sounds the same, and is very recognizable. He and the band treated us to classic favorites like “Sister Christian,” “When You Close Your Eyes,” and the eponymous theme song from the 1987 movie “The Secret of My Success.” And I got choked up when the band performed “Goodbye,” one of the best power ballads of the ’80s.
The show had an ensemble feel to it, with the focus on many band members even when only one was singing. They often lined up side by side, singing with their guitars.
A surprise treat came when the band performed the Damn Yankees song “High Enough.” The Damn Yankees formed in 1989, featuring Night Ranger’s Jack Blades and members of some other bands, including Tommy Shaw of Styx.
