They got some traction with the single “Don’t Tell Me You Love Me” from the “Dawn Patrol” album in 1982. The future looked bright.

Then their record label “Boardwalk” went under.

But they had a believer in former Boardwalk vice-president Bruce Bird, who organised a deal with Irving Azoff to sign the group to MCA. Night Ranger would be the first signing to Bird’s new imprint under MCA, Camel Records Inc.

“Midnight Madness” came out in 1983. Check out the ages of the guys in the band.

Jack Blades is 29, Brad Gillis is 26, Jeff Watson is 27, Kelly Keagy is 31 and Alan Fitzgerald is 34. These are seasoned pros, who have paid their dues in other bands since the start of the Seventies.

And in 1983, fame came to them in the form of music television.

MTV would turn regional club acts into arena acts instantly on the back of a song, and “Sister Christian” along with “(You Can Still) Rock In America” became the songs that launched Night Ranger across North America.

While the album has alot of good songs my favorite is the first song on Side 2.

“Touch of Madness” is written by Jack Blades.

The eerie music box gets your attention immediately.

Then a heavily palm muted arpeggio single note riff kicks in before, all hell breaks loose with the blues slide rock riff from the 19 second mark.

The playing is excellent.

At the 42 second mark, the verse groove comes in. It’s groove Rock and Kelly Keagy thunders on the kit.

Blades delivers a stellar vocal,

The lyrics suggest a feeling of being drawn to someone who has a captivating and mysterious quality.

She say
“I get high when I want to
Don’t ya think you need it too”
I need a touch, I need a touch of madness

All of the religious leaders in the 80’s got it right, that the youth of the world had been seduced by the devil’s music. We liked to get high when we wanted to and Mister Juana was a favourite.

The “touch of madness” is the irresistible allure of someone’s unpredictable and exciting nature.

I need a touch, a touch of madness

The lead break is Randy Rhoads-esque. Building on a simple motif and embellishing it with fast scalar runs.

I like how you get another verse, pre and chorus after the solo section. It’s the reason why it clocks in at 5 plus minutes.

Crank it.