Jack Blades

Jack Blades

Jack Blades (born April 24, 1954 in Palm Desert, California) is an American musician. He has worked in several bands: Rubicon, Night Ranger (as bassist and one of the lead vocalists), and Damn Yankees (as one of the founding members). He also recorded with Tommy Shaw under the name Shaw/Blades, and has done work alongside TMG, the Tak Matsumoto Group. His most recent efforts include a second solo CD, and Shaw/Blades is in the process of recording ‘’Influence II’’.

Music career

Jack has released one self-titled solo CD and a second one is on its way. He has written or co-written songs for Aerosmith, Cher, Ozzy Osbourne, Alice Cooper, Roger Daltrey, and many more artists. Jack has also produced or co-produced CDs for Night Ranger, Shaw/Blades and for several other artists including Great White, Ted Nugent, and Samantha 7, among others. Blades appears on Mötley Crüe's Dr. Feelgood album, which was released in 1989. In the 1990s, Jack co-wrote four Aerosmith songs with Steven Tyler, Joe Perry, and Tommy Shaw: "Shut Up and Dance" (1993), "Can't Stop Messin'" (1993), "Walk on Water" (1994), "What Kind of Love Are You On" (1998). In 1998 Jack was asked by Ringo Starr to be play bass in Ringo Starr VH1 Storytellers with Joe Walsh and Simon Kirke. In 2006 Jack played the role of an 80’s Sunset Strip club owner in the Las Vegas version of the Broadway musical show “Rock Of Ages.”

Rubicon

Jerry Martini formed the funk band Rubicon with Jack as bass player and future Night Ranger guitarist Brad Gillis. Rubicon recorded two albums on 20th Century Fox Records – ‘’Rubicon’’, and ‘’American Dreams’’. They had one single titled “I’m Gonna take care of Everything.” Rubicon played Cal Jam 2, held at the Ontario motor speedway in California before 250,000 people. Rubicon broke up in 1979 and Jack formed the short lived club band Stereo with Brad Gillis and Kelly Keagy, who had joined as touring drummer for Rubicon.

Night Ranger

Jack’s roommate at the beginning of the 80s was Alan “Fitz” Fitzgerald, bass player for Montrose and Gamma and keyboard player for Sammy Hagar. He suggested they form a band. Fitz knew another guitar player in Sacramento (Jeff Watson) and Ranger was formed in 1980. The band recorded demos and played shows around the Bay area for two years. They were signed to Boardwalk Records and released their first album, ‘’Dawn Patrol’’ in 1982. Prior to the release it was discovered that there was a country band by the name of The Rangers. Jack had written the song “Night Ranger” for the album so the band changed their name to Night Ranger to avoid any potential problems. Night Ranger went on through the 80’s releasing albums which sold by the millions, as well as several hit singles. The band toured constantly both in the US and in Japan where they continue to be popular today. In 1989 Jack left Night Ranger and formed the Damn Yankees. Jack re-formed Night Ranger with the original members in 1996. They recorded three CDs – ‘’Neverland’’ in 1997, ‘’Seven’’ in 1998, and ‘’Hole In The Sun’’ in 2008. Night Ranger continues to tour today.

Damn Yankees

Damn Yankees was formed by Jack at the start of the 90s along with Ted Nugent and Styx guitarist Tommy Shaw. Damn Yankees had multi platinum success with two albums ‘’Damn Yankees’’, ‘’Don't Tread’’ and a gold selling single “High Enough.” Damn Yankees recorded and toured non-stop for four years. In 1994 the Damn Yankees took a break – which they are still on today...

Shaw/Blades

After the Damn Yankees decided to take a break in 1994, Jack and Tommy decided to record together under the name Shaw/Blades. They wrote and recorded the first Shaw/Blades CD together – ‘’Hallucination’’ was released in 1995. In 2007 Shaw/Blades released ‘’Influence’’ (Vh1 Classic Records) which is a collection of cover songs that influenced Jack and Tommy. Shaw/Blades have toured acoustically across the US. They are currently recording ‘’Influence II’’ with an anticipated Spring 2010 release.

TMG (Tak Matsumoto Group)

In 2004 Jack recorded a CD and toured Japan with TMG (Tak Matsumoto Group) formed by guitarist Tak Matsumoto of the Japanese mega group B'z. TMG scored a #1 single (“Oh Japan, our time is now”) and a #1 CD (‘’TMG I’’) on Billboard Japan’s domestic chart. With TMG, Jack performed "Never Good-bye" the ending credits theme for the 2004 film Ultraman (a.k.a. Ultraman: The Next). The song appears on the 2005 soundtrack album for the movie and on TMG I, the 2004 album by Tak Matsumoto Group.

Solo

Jack released his first solo album in 2004 – Jack Blades. He is currently recording his second solo CD to be released later on in 2009.

Radio show

Jack has a weekly Radio show – “Backstage Pass with Jack Blades” – on in Denver Co. (103.5 the Fox) and Phoenix AZ (93.3 KDKB).

Personal life

Born in Palm Desert, California, Jack started playing guitar at 8 years old when his parents gave him a plastic ukulele. Jack graduated from Indio High School in 1972 where he was the senior class president. While attending College of the Desert in Palm Desert he met and jammed with Pat Rizzo (who was then the sax player for Sly and the Family Stone) who introduced him to Jerry Martini (the original Sax player for Sly). Jack went off to college at San Diego State University as a pre-med student, but took a leave of absence in 1975 to move to San Francisco. Jerry and Jack (joined by Brad Gillis) started the band Rubicon and it all went from there.

Discography

Rubicon

• Rubicon
• American Dreams

Night Ranger

• Dawn Patrol (1982)
• Midnight Madness (1983)
• Seven Wishes (1985)
• Big Life (1987)
• Man in Motion (1988)
• Neverland (1997)
• Seven (1998)
• Hole in the Sun (2007)

Damn Yankees

• Damn Yankees (1990)
• Don't Tread (1992)
• High Enough and Other Hits (2003)
• Essentials (2002)

Shaw/Blades

• Hallucination (1995)
• Influence (2007)

Solo

• Jack Blades (2004)

Tak Matsumoto Group (TMG)

• TMG I (2004)

Compilations

• California Jam II
• A Classic rock Christmas
• Bat Head Soup: A Tribute to Ozzy

Soundtracks

• Teachers
• Out of Bounds
• The Secret of My Success
• Nowhere to Run
• Nothing But Trouble
• Tommy Boy
• Ultraman

External links

• Official Community of Jack Blades
• Official Community of Night Ranger