Jack Blades, Kelly Keagy, Brad Gillis, Eric Levy, and Keri Kelli take the stage with more than 80 talented young musicians
AXS TV puts the spotlight on legendary rockers Night Ranger in the all-new hour-long concert film 40 Years And A Night with Contemporary Youth Orchestra, premiering Saturday, October 21st at 8 pm ET/5 pm PT. Additionally, an extended 90-minute edition of the landmark performance will air on Saturday, November 18th at 9 pm ET.
Filmed live at the Key Bank State Theatre in Cleveland, this special event finds band members Jack Blades, Kelly Keagy, Brad Gillis, Eric Levy, and Keri Kelli taking the stage for a one-of-a-kind set joined by Cleveland’s acclaimed Contemporary Youth Orchestra, an impressive outfit that boasts more than 80 talented student musicians between the ages of 12 and 18, who represent more than 40 schools in Ohio and who have previously performed alongside fellow rock legends such as Jefferson Starship, Styx, Pat Benatar, Kenny Loggins, and more.
The historic collaboration with CYO marks the first time ever that Night Ranger has performed with a live symphonic orchestra, providing a unique and soaring backdrop to signature classics such as “Sister Christian,” “(You Can Still) Rock In America,” and “Don’t Tell Me You Love Me” among many others. Night Ranger is currently on the road in honor of their landmark 40th anniversary and will continue to tour across the country through 2024.
“It was a dream come true to have Night Ranger music accompanied by an entire symphonic band… including our own!” shares Blades. “Although now, we’re spoiled, and we want to carry the orchestra with us everywhere we go!!”
40 Years And A Night with Contemporary Youth Orchestra will be available on CD, Vinyl, DVD, Blu-ray and digitally across all streaming platforms beginning October 20th. The Japanese version will include the Damn Yankees song “High Enough” as an exclusive bonus track. Guitarist Jack Blades was a member of that band in the early 90s alongside Styx vocalist Tommy Shaw, guitarist Ted Nugent and then-unknown drummer Michael Cartellone who would later join Lynyrd Skynyrd.
