Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: TUESDAY, March 30, 1993 TAG: 9303300119
SECTION: EXTRA PAGE: 1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: MARK MORRISON STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
His band, the modestly successful hard-rock group Night Ranger, had just split up after nine years together. Everyone wanted to do his own thing, Blades explained in a telephone interview last week from Syracuse, N.Y.
This was 1989.
But Blades wasn't left to ponder his future for long. Five days after the break-up, Geffen Records called. Would he be interested in forming a band with Ted Nugent and Tommy Shaw?
Blades took the next flight from California to New York.
He said he had heard rumors that Nugent, the former Amboy Dukes guitarist, longtime soloist and legendary rock wild man, and Shaw, of Styx fame, were trying to form a new band. However, he never dreamed of being a part of it.
He had met both Nugent and Shaw before, but they were only acquaintances.
In New York, Blades ended up on Shaw's doorstep, and Shaw invited him to crash there while the new group tested the waters. Blades, Shaw and Nugent were joined by Michael Cartellone, who played drums for Shaw during Shaw's short-lived solo career after Styx.
That first weekend, Blades said he knew he wouldn't be mourning the loss of Night Ranger for long. The group jammed on some song ideas that Shaw and Nugent had been working on, and a few that Blades brought with him. Damn Yankees was formed.
The band will play the Salem Civic Center tonight. Opening is Jackyl.
"When chemistry hits, it hits," Blades said.
In a few days, the band wrote about half the songs that would end up on its 1990 self-titled debut album. In fact, the biggest hit off the album, "High Enough," was penned that first weekend.
"There was never that weird-feeling period," Blades said.
Endless touring followed: 250 shows in 15 months.
Then came time off. Blades, 38, went home to his wife in Northern California. Shaw, also 38, did some snow skiing. Nugent, of course, went hunting in his native Michigan. Nugent, 44, is an avid bow hunter and outdoorsman.
He even incorporates his archery prowess into the band's live show by shooting a flaming arrow into an electric guitar, which then explodes. Blades said Nugent took his band mates hunting once - and only once. "We made too much noise. It was like, `Hey Tommy, pass the Doritos,' " he said.
"I don't think he'll invite us again."
A second album, "Don't Tread," was released last year. It was written at Blades' California ranch, where he has converted his barn into a recording studio. He said they had a good time together there.
A typical day went like this: Nugent went hunting at about 4 a.m. A few hours later, Blades, Shaw and Cartellone would awake and run four miles. All of them hit the barn by around noon and stayed until supper.
Blades, who plays bass and shares vocals with Shaw, said he has learned a lot since joining the group. Shaw has helped him on his singing, he said. Nugent has taught him about rock 'n' roll.
"He's the real McCoy. There aren't a lot off them left," he said.
Blades knows at least for now what he wants to do with his life: tour through the fall and return to the studio early next year. "I think we can abuse America for a good five years," he said.
DAMN YANKEES in concert tonight at 7:30 at the Salem Civic Center. Jackyl opens. General admission tickets, $12.50 advance, $13.50 at the door. 375-3004.
by CNB