Newfound respect for......Nelson

[LillianRoxyFA]

I got a chance to see Nelson (billed as The Nelsons) for the first time this past weekend opening for Night Ranger at the Mankato, MN Ribfest. Admittedly, I was disappointed to hear they were opening, but walked away really enjoying their show. They sounded great on the rockier stuff and really shined during their mini acoustic set. They came off as humble, articulate and appreciative. They even played "Two Heads are Better than One" off of the Bill and Ted's soundtrack, which is a guilty pleasure of mine.

It must have been a whirlwind for these guys in 91. Coming out of nowhere, getting a #1 hit, headlining tour, then poof, gone. They became the poster children for all that was wrong in hair metal, and yes, they were marketed in a way that made them easy to dismiss. Kudos to them for continuing to hit the road and working to gain new fans and putting out new music. They mentioned having a song featured in Peacemaker season 2. Who knows, maybe a career resurgence in coming.

As for Night Ranger, reliable as always. These guys are the poor man's Journey and will be able to work as long as they want to. Rock solid, professional show that always goes over well with the Ribfest crowd. Keri Kelli is worth the price of admission. However, Brad Gillis is quickly turning into the guitar version of Gary Cherone. His stage moves are bordering on creepy.

[Rocker4Real]

They went far into the pre-teen Pop Rock direction and didn't fit in well with other bands in the genre. The record company even rejected their next album when they tried something conceptual.

[Anthrax442]

The Nelsons had a one off appearance on SNL in 1986, where they had completely different look, and didn't appear to be doing the pop metal thing yet.

This confused the hell out of me for years, because I didn't understand how they managed to get the music spot on SNL without a record, but I guess it was a favor from Lorne to whoever their management was?

[veritas]

As for Night Ranger, reliable as always. These guys are the poor man's Journey and will be able to work as long as they want to. Rock solid, professional show that always goes over well with the Ribfest crowd. Keri Kelli is worth the price of admission. However, Brad Gillis is quickly turning into the guitar version of Gary Cherone. His stage moves are bordering on creepy.

Oddly enough, I just watched the Night ranger set from that show last night (for some reason Youtube algorithm computed a has-been 80s' band set would be my jam.... go figure)

I thought NIght Ranger sounded great and were very professional, even to the extent of it being almost Vegasy choreographed and cheesy -- but I still appreciated the professionalism, the excellent guitar playing and Blades sounded better than expected. Kelly Keagy, however, has the "old man warble" going on in his voice.

And I couldn't agree MORE on your Brad Gillis comment. I had the same thought: why are you staring into the crowd and acting so fucking creepy in your guitar solos? It's weird and affected.

Curious how big the crowd was?

[Anthrax442]

And I couldn't agree MORE on your Brad Gillis comment. I had the same thought: why are you staring into the crowd and acting so fucking creepy in your guitar solos? It's weird and affected.

I can't stand Night Ranger. Sorry, I just don't get it, and all the recent MAGA/Antivax shit hasn't exactly helped them look any better.

Separate from that though, as far as Brad goes, I've ALWAYS thought he looked like a giant dork. I've got a feeling that's part of why he didn't last longer with Ozzy, not just "Ozzy was drinking heavily and being an ass".

[LAglamrocker]

Being member of NelsonMania in 1990 was one highlights of my life

NightRanger always sounded too early 80s/70s for me
They were not Warrant

Who is winning the upcoming war?
Vain at Whisky or Nelson in OC..same night

[veritas]

And I couldn't agree MORE on your Brad Gillis comment. I had the same thought: why are you staring into the crowd and acting so fucking creepy in your guitar solos? It's weird and affected.

I can't stand Night Ranger. Sorry, I just don't get it, and all the recent MAGA/Antivax shit hasn't exactly helped them look any better.

Separate from that though, as far as Brad goes, I've ALWAYS thought he looked like a giant dork. I've got a feeling that's part of why he didn't last longer with Ozzy, not just "Ozzy was drinking heavily and being an ass".

I don't anything about any MAGA. Antivax nonsense with them.
I actually think they tend to be underappreciated a bit: they wrote lots of catchy hits, with great guitar playing, and are of the few early 80s bands that still play well and sing relatively well? Don't tell me you love me, sing me away, close your eyes, goodbye... all solid songs, in my view. Sure, some wimpy ballads, but nothing embarrassing?

Anyway, I doubt Gillis was fired for being dorky (he wasn't AS bad with Ozzy). Remember this was a team that hired Don Costa.
I think HE chose to leave Ozzy to return to Night Ranger so he could do his own thing: I suspect he saw the financial terms of how Sharon ran the show, and, coupled with a drunk Ozzy, he saw he would be a sideman at best. Smart move.

[Anthrax442]

I don't anything about any MAGA. Antivax nonsense with them.

Anyway, I doubt Gillis was fired for being dorky (he wasn't AS bad with Ozzy). Remember this was a team that hired Don Costa.
I think HE chose to leave Ozzy to return to Night Ranger so he could do his own thing: I suspect he saw the financial terms of how Sharon ran the show, and, coupled with a drunk Ozzy, he saw he would be a sideman at best. Smart move.

Do some searching, you'll find it. Kerri Kelli specifically was wearing some sort of Anti-Fauci shirt. I can't remember who else in the band had similar leanings, but chances are it's the real reason why Jeff Watson isn't in the band anymore, not substance abuse.

And don't get me wrong, I'm not saying that there weren't reasons on both sides for Brad going back to Night Ranger, but keep in mind, this is 1982, Night Ranger wasn't really a thing yet, Dawn Patrol hadn't even been released, much less any of the later hits like Sister Christian.

If Brad was really a good fit for Ozzy, you'd think they would have tried a bit harder to make it work, rather than move onto Jake.

[Hair I Go Again]

As the guitar sites posted every Ozzy-related story from their archives in recent weeks, I read an old interview with Brad where he talked about not staying with Ozzy and choosing NR instead (which admittedly sounds bat-shit crazy, no pun intended). Who knows how much revisionist history is going on here, but still, it's interesting.

Gillis had been hired as a tour guitarist, but Ozzy hadn’t said whether he would become a permanent member of the group for future records. Fortunately, the guitarist had kept his options open with his former group...

Although Gillis continued on with Ozzy for the first few dates of the Speak of the Devil tour starting in December, he left at the end of the month and was replaced by Jake E. Lee, who would remain with Osbourne for the next five years. “Ozzy asked me too late to be in his band permanently,” Gillis said. “A week before I signed Night Ranger’s contract, I asked Sharon, ‘What’s the plan? Does Ozzy want to keep me?’ Sharon said that Ozzy didn’t know who he wanted to keep in the band, so I committed myself to Night Ranger.”

Full story here if you care: https://www.guitarplayer.com/guitarists ... hoads-died

As for the original topic, yeah, they wrote a handful of catchy-as-fuck songs and were great vocal harmonists. Respect to anyone who can do one of those two things, much less both.

[Jason Jennifer Leigh]

I don’t care about their politics, people are agreeing to disagree again … woke is broke.

Anyway I ran across a recent Nelson concert on YouTube yesterday, it was everything you said and more … and then the Night Ranger show started playing.

[tooth]

I see they have 7 studio records &, other than the 2 popular 80's songs, I know none of it. I'll check it & I also see they play shows doing their Dad's music, which looks cool.

[veritas]

I don't anything about any MAGA. Antivax nonsense with them.

Anyway, I doubt Gillis was fired for being dorky (he wasn't AS bad with Ozzy). Remember this was a team that hired Don Costa.
I think HE chose to leave Ozzy to return to Night Ranger so he could do his own thing: I suspect he saw the financial terms of how Sharon ran the show, and, coupled with a drunk Ozzy, he saw he would be a sideman at best. Smart move.

Do some searching, you'll find it. Kerri Kelli specifically was wearing some sort of Anti-Fauci shirt. I can't remember who else in the band had similar leanings, but chances are it's the real reason why Jeff Watson isn't in the band anymore, not substance abuse.

And don't get me wrong, I'm not saying that there weren't reasons on both sides for Brad going back to Night Ranger, but keep in mind, this is 1982, Night Ranger wasn't really a thing yet, Dawn Patrol hadn't even been released, much less any of the later hits like Sister Christian.

If Brad was really a good fit for Ozzy, you'd think they would have tried a bit harder to make it work, rather than move onto Jake.

That sounds right (and per the below, sounds like Gillis was trying to hedge bets and ultimately took a gamble....)

I can't be bothered searching for what Keri Kelli or any other member of Night Ranger thinks politically. I mean, who gives a fuck what Night Ranger's politics are? (I don't dispute they are what you suggest, btw.)

[exitflagger]

I saw Nelson on a multi-band festival bill about 5 years ago and I had the same experience. I would rather get stabbed than actually put their music on to listen to, but in a live setting they seem like a completely different deal. More rock and roll, more off-the-floor and less of that creamy, cheesy production. I'm still not a fan but I was surprised that I didn't dislike it.

[greengoblinrulz]

I got a chance to see Nelson (billed as The Nelsons) for the first time this past weekend opening for Night Ranger at the Mankato, MN Ribfest. Admittedly, I was disappointed to hear they were opening, but walked away really enjoying their show. They sounded great on the rockier stuff and really shined during their mini acoustic set. They came off as humble, articulate and appreciative. They even played "Two Heads are Better than One" off of the Bill and Ted's soundtrack, which is a guilty pleasure of mine.

It must have been a whirlwind for these guys in 91. Coming out of nowhere, getting a #1 hit, headlining tour, then poof, gone. They became the poster children for all that was wrong in hair metal, and yes, they were marketed in a way that made them easy to dismiss. Kudos to them for continuing to hit the road and working to gain new fans and putting out new music. They mentioned having a song featured in Peacemaker season 2. Who knows, maybe a career resurgence in coming.

As for Night Ranger, reliable as always. These guys are the poor man's Journey and will be able to work as long as they want to. Rock solid, professional show that always goes over well with the Ribfest crowd. Keri Kelli is worth the price of admission. However, Brad Gillis is quickly turning into the guitar version of Gary Cherone. His stage moves are bordering on creepy.

Was there also......we seem to hit alot of same stuff
Agree on Nelson was poster child for all things wrong in 91 & I hated em. Fast forward to today & I appreciate their 4 big singles & they do a good show. Was definitely a lil surprised but they sure do run backing tracks. Easy to tell on electric stuff with only Matt/Gunnar singin & huge harmonies coming out. No biggie
Night Ranger is always great live IF you are someone who would like em. I could care about politics of any band. That is so far down the totem poll for me. I listen to lefty leaning Bon Jovi & right wing Nugent & just enjoy the music. As for Kelli, Im always amused by his tattoo sleeve undershirt he wears.....guess he thinks it makes him look more rocker like?
For Veritas......it was a 4-5k ampitheater & was full, perfect outdoor setting for em

[ParaDime77]

Yesterday afternoon l was sitting 10 feet away from Eric Levy, keyboardist from Night Ranger in the Minneapolis airport. Thought about saying something or asking him a question but I simply kept it moving.

[Mister Freeze]

I remember seeing Nelson on some talk show back in the day (Arsenio or Rick Dees... maybe both) and being blown away by how tight they were as a live act.

And this was back when I was a dumb teenager and didn't know the difference. As long as you didn't sound like Duran Duran at Live Aid, you got a pass. Business as usual.

[Olivia Sophia]

They're very talented

[Olivia Sophia]

They're very talented

[Wild Obsession]

The Nelsons had a one off appearance on SNL in 1986, where they had completely different look, and didn't appear to be doing the pop metal thing yet.

This confused the hell out of me for years, because I didn't understand how they managed to get the music spot on SNL without a record, but I guess it was a favor from Lorne to whoever their management was?

The Nelson brothers are a "Hollywood/trust fund family". Their Dad was a star in the 50's/ 60's. So I doubt they were "in the trenches", building a fan base by playing shitty gigs at dive bars. Kinda like the 80's version of Waffle Van Halen, except the Nelson's actually have some of their father's charisma.

[ParaDime77]

I checked out the clip from the weekend and both brothers have not lost a step vocally. Recall seeing the brothers in the summer of 90 or 91 and people were all over it with excitement. Acoustically, they are great.

[mrsnikkisixx]

I’ve seen them several times performing their dad’s songs. They are extremely talented, and very warm and friendly guys. I joked with them once how I wouldn’t have been allowed within 100 feet of them 30+ years ago, and here they were standing right in front of me. I hope to be able to see them perform as Nelson sometime in the near future.

[JourneyRules]

I saw them earlier this year, billed as Nelson. I'm not sure what expectations I had, but I thought they were pretty good and definitely haven't lost much vocally.

What is the difference when they play as "The Nelsons"? Does that mean it is only them with no backing band?

[tooth]

The Nelsons had a one off appearance on SNL in 1986, where they had completely different look, and didn't appear to be doing the pop metal thing yet.

This confused the hell out of me for years, because I didn't understand how they managed to get the music spot on SNL without a record, but I guess it was a favor from Lorne to whoever their management was?

The Nelson brothers are a "Hollywood/trust fund family". Their Dad was a star in the 50's/ 60's. So I doubt they were "in the trenches", building a fan base by playing shitty gigs at dive bars. Kinda like the 80's version of Waffle Van Halen, except the Nelson's actually have some of their father's charisma.

Their Grandparents were on TV for years.
The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet is an American television sitcom that aired on ABC from October 3, 1952, to April 23, 1966, and starred the real-life Nelson family.