Speculation keeps coming.... From Melodic Rock front page - a couple of pics are there too.
FROM THE BUSY WORLD OF JACK BLADES:
As I do every so often, I caught up with Jack Blades on the phone this week to get an update on his always busy schedule and pass along any updates.
And as usual, there are plenty. Looking back to start with, Jack had a huge February, starting with the Rock N Roll Fantasy Camp, where he headed up proceedings that included participants such as Cheap Trick, Gilby Clarke, Mickey Thomas, Kip Winger, Bruce Kulick, Roger Daltry, Neal Schon and may more.
The camp did not only benefit those that enrolled to hear the wisdom of those running it, but it also gave those gathered the chance to appreciate each other and take in a few jam sessions.
Pictured below is Jack "in rock n roll heaven" jamming on an acoustic versions of Johnny Cash's I Walk The Line, Burnin Ring Of Fire and the Who's Who Are You? with (l to r) Gary Burr, Roger Daltry, Jack and Neal Schon.
Bruce Kulick in fact, has just posted an update on his website regarding the camp. He states: "I was asked to be a counselor at David Fishof's Rock N Roll Fantasy Camp here in Los Angeles. Last year's was amazing and this year had many highlights that I will never forget. I hope you all saw me on The Learning Channel's two hour special that was recently shown to get a taste of what a great event it is to attend and be a part of.
This years counselors and special guests included Neal Schon...camp director and good friend Jack Blades from Night Ranger and Damn Yankees whom is always inspiring to work with, his great drummer Kelly Keagy from Night Ranger, and Micheal Lardie from Great White and Night Ranger who is always good for a laugh with me." Read Bruce's full account, with numerous pictures at:
www.kulick.net/message.
MSNBC quotes Jack as saying of the camp participants: "I tell them, 'Look man, just go for it. That's your stage. At that moment, there's no one better than you. And believe me, you get some wild things happening up there."
Jack also took in the new rock n roll musical which lampoon's the 80's rock days. Rock Of Ages recently extended it's run in LA and features the music of Night Ranger, Styx, Damn Yankees, Journey, Def Leppard and more. Details at:
www.rockofagesmusical.com.
Jack went to the opening night with Tommy Shaw, only to go back a couple of weeks later with Neal Schon in tow. This time the pair were pulled up on stage at the end of the show to join in the sing along.
On a more serious note, Jack also appeared at the Don Felder (The Eagles) benefit held for victims of Hurricane Katrina. Alice Cooper, Stephen Stills, Cheech Marin and Tommy Shaw were just a few names who also appeared.
Highlight of the show says Jack, was the guys all on stage with Cheech Marin, doing their version of the er, "classic" track Born In East LA!
Pictured below (l to r) is Adrian Young (No Doubt), Gilby Clarke (Guns n Roses), Alice Cooper, Jack and Tommy.
So what's next? The Night Ranger album is coming along - "a little slower" than Jack might have liked, but it remains on schedule for a mid-year release, with Kelly Keagy currently working on drum parts in his studio and Jeff Watson and Brad Gillis working on guitar parts up at Jeff's studio.
The long delayed Shaw/Blades album should finally start getting some publicity shortly, with Jack promising "some major positive news soon..."
And finally to touring - Night Ranger have not yet decided on their 2006 schedule, but there are rumors of a pairing them with Ted Nugent and Styx and therefore creating the possibility of a Damn Yankees set. This idea is not a new one and at this stage the 2006 idea is "a possibility, but definitely not set."
Stay tuned for further updates when available.
