Brad is one of those guys who listened to all the right records, learned all the best licks, added to and improved upon some of the newest ones also. There isn't anything this guy can't do with a guitar! Nowhere near the recognition he deserves! Most people don't realize, but anyone who plays guitar, we all do! 👍
I get his reasons why Nirvana sounded refreshing, but it’s a lot of the grunge stuff that pushed me to find other rock stuff. Dream Theater is my favorite discovery out of that search.
@@matthewh.9544 You're right, I got carried away a bit. I meant to agree Watson and Gillis were great, but Tipton and Downing and Maiden's boys are fantastic as well.
Equally righteous shredders. Saw them twice on the 7 Wishes tour. Most excellent. Then many moons later saw them at a casino in the 2000s but w/o Jeff. Mr.Teeth,now flashing poses and veneers in Whitesnake,his stand in was ok but to my ears didnt gel with Brad. Good show tho. Seems like a cool dude.
dude has a good energy for someone whose been around the game as long as he has .... thanks Brad (and night ranger) for a special time i had in toronto about 35 years ago 👍👍🎸🎶
@@LarryFleetwood8675 Larry completely true…he just keeps on rocking and putting out great material…. Why in the world wouldn’t fans rock gets our fans of all ages appreciate his plane and his there should say the stuff he’s putting out that’s awesome keep on doing it Larry… True rock ‘n’ roll fans will always support an honest to the core guitar player !!!!!
In my opinion, the 1982, MTV televised concert, SOTD, was Ozzy AT HIS BEST! In my opinion, THAT concert ranks WAY, WAY, UP THERE with '70s Kiss, '70s Alice Cooper, and early '80s AC/DC!
i think Brad did the album of Sabbath songs that Randy did not want to, and it is a great , forgotten about album. I have the CD....remember those? It is not on iTunes.
Being a Bay Area guy myself, I saw Brad play with Ozzy when they came through the Oakland Coliseum and he was incredible. HUGE shoes to fill and he had what, a week to learn the parts? If he was nervous he never showed it and he did Randy proud by playing the iconic parts while still retaining his own style, which is absolutely unreal. I've spoken to Brad several times and he's always such a cool dude. Love it!
@@raymo6795 randy had died and Ozzy didn't want to release a live album with Randy recording right after his death nor with Ozzy songs with another guitar player. So it was an album with Sabbath songs, recorded over 2 nights.
@@hansvandermeulen5515 you need to get up to speed on your Ozzy knowledge. The live show of Sabbath tunes was planned before Randy died and it wasn't even Ozzy's idea.
@@hansvandermeulen5515 I have heard several different accounts. Who really knows what the truth is…in any case, it is a great album Brad Gillis sounded great on that album.
When Brad plays live today it’s clear he’s enjoying being on stage. Most guitar players know not only his talent but his contribution to his craft. But the casual fan has been cheated by the music world for not making him more appreciated He’s one of the best to ever pick up the instrument. Just like Jimmie H and EVH, Brad is an innovator of the guitar.
What a Career!!! What a solid guy! What a guitarist and songwriter! What a BAND!! Was front row in Montreal when you just got with Ozzy!! Incredible!! Dream career!!! Glad it's comin back!!! Peace brother
The comeback of the 80's rock/metal bands is because Gen X parents brought our kids up on all that music and the success of the comebacks is testament to the musicianship of the music...it was, and still is, great music.
What Brad said at 5:00 is exactly right for me! My first concert was Midnight Madness tour in Japan in 1984 when was junior high school kid. Now I am around 50 and father of two high school kids. I went to their show again in 2018 in Tokyo they played all tunes from Dawn Patrol and Might Madness. The show was awesome. I sang those old tunes loud and raised my hands through the show. It was so fun. I felt I was meeting old friends of 80s. Please keep rocking and we all hope you guys start the tour again playing 80’s old school songs.
Brad is probably one of the most under appreciated or underrated shredders ever to take the stage. The Speak of the Devil album was a staple in my teenage kegger rotation!
In the late 90's a friend of mine's band was opening up for NR in Prov RI at the Strand. I went along because my band wasn't playing and teched for my bro. NR did a 2 1/2 hr soundcheck. I got to hold and strum the red guitar with the early Floyd. That was a rush.
I’m that 40-60 range who loved the 80’s, I was blown away by your first album, Dawn Patrol, it rocked something awesome. I was just starting to play guitar then and I loved your leads, learned them all note for note, lol. Stay cool 😎 and… \m/ Stay Metal \m/
We saw him play with Ozzy at Irvine Meadows (It was later released on MTV) and the entire place was blown away by this guy. Nice to see he's aged so gracefully, something most of his contemporaries can't say.
My best friend and I got to see Night Ranger on acid. Brad jumped on top of our table at “Carravan of Dreams” and played the solo to Rock in America. His guitar neck was literally in my face while he played. A moment we will never forget.
There ain't nothing like 80's metal, I grew up thru the 80's in SoCal, i've seen tons of shows from KISS & Motley Crue to SLAYER , TESTAMENT, ANTHRAX, LAMB OF GOD, NAPALM DEATH, To a BIG 4 Show in SoCal April 2011, There will never be another decade like the 80's
First saw Mr. Gillis at the North Dakota State Fair before a Night Ranger gig that I would later attend. He must have been sizing up the competition as there was a local battle of the bands in progress. I’m guessing he didn’t pick up any new whammy bar tricks from me when my band hit the stage. 😝
Tragically underrated guitar player. And damnit I had one of his signature black and red Fernandes strats with the preamp in it. Sold it. Kicking myself ever since.
This recycle series is great ! You guys are interviewing the "guys" who were relevant and so important to the sucess of some of the greatest 80s bands, this episode with Mr.Gillis and Dana Strums story on finding Randy Rhoads for Ozzy standout and are such fun and so interesting to watch, thank you and please keep episodes like this coming 2 thumbs up and a shout out to Brad Gillis who I've followed for years because of his time with Ozzy and filling in for Randy after his passing. And that Brads still going strong after 40 years.
Such a cool dude. I ran into him in Florida in 1993 and told him Night Ranger was my first fav band and he sat down with me and had a few beers and we talked about every album. He made me the beer though … which I was happy to do!
I've never heard anything bad about Brad Gillis throughout his entire music career. Brad is awesome. He's the first guitarist I've heard doing those signature trills with the whammy bar. He did a heck of a job on the Speak of the Devil album/tour.
Gillis seems like a really cool dude. Glad t hear they are back together and doing well and when I get depressed the medicine is listening to some 80's music.
I lived in this time of the 80s as a teenager and I must concur, the music of the 80s was the best. You had the metal scene exploding, hair bands that were just fun to listen to, punk rock for your inner angst against society and its rules, and new wave for crazy drugs and feelings. It truly was a remarkable time. That being said. I have a lot more respect for people that were rock idols back then still putting out new stuff that rocks. Brad Gillis, while being a remarkable guitarist, is still living off the hits of the past. Same for Jack Blades. They're not pumping out new stuff, continuing the creativity that made them so remarkable to listen to in the first place. I'm glad nostalgia is paying the bills for them and allowing them to live comfortable lifestyles. However, for me, nostalgia is great for certain moments, but it never keeps my attention. The past is the past. I love the time, and have many fond memories. I occasionally love living the life through the music once again, but make no mistake, I appreciate those musicians and artists that continue to make new music and push frontiers. Music wasn't something to just pay the bills and survive with. It was an art, and for some bands, the art of creating still means a lot. Not so with bands like Night Ranger, def Leppard, Or Motley Crue. These bands are just trying to suck whatever dollar they can from the fans who still wish they lived in the 80s. I however do not and will not fit into that category. I would rather see a band like Queensryche who continues to push creativity, then a band playing hits from a time I might have enjoyed, but have grown out from. This is my opinion for how I feel about this. I don't expect many to agree with me, and I do expect many will comment about how my feelings are shit. It is what it is. To me though, without growth there is death and my aim in life is to grow beyond the nostalgic.I wish no ill will to Brad and Night Ranger, or bands like them living on the nostalgic dime. Good luck to them all. Keep doing what you do. Obviously there's a market out there for it. I just wish the drive to remember was equally applied to doing something more.
Nirvana etc just made me delve deeper into my appreciation for Night Ranger, Giant, Tesla & Y&T. The Gillis Floyd Rose innovation & the Gillis/Watson duel lead guitar attack was brilliant. GREAT live band, too.
Brad is awesome. The fact you figured so much out in your room just playing is amazing. I play piano and I never had the kind of talent. You must have worked real hard, you are an amazing guitar player.
Brad rocks!! He saved the Ozzy tour.My friends girlfriend used to babysit for their manager.The first two Night Ranger records are great !! Him and Jeff Watson did this dueling guitar solos that compliment ed each other's style.Good times!!!!
Easily one of the most under-appreciated guitarists anywhere. I recently saw a clip of him playing at a festival and was just blown away. The man has done his homework!
Brad's Speak of the Devil (NOT Ozzy's) was the first time I heard a guy play like that, with a Floyd. Always liked Brad and his style with Night Ranger and Jeff Watson's tapping. He and Jeff complemented each other perfectly...
Brad man you’re a very very talented musician and plus you’re the only 80’s rockstar who looks incredible good,the others look like old grandpas but you look so fresh and young! Amazing!
Speak of the Devil was the first album I ever bought...I played it for years as a young kid. I know every word Ozzy spoke, every note Brad played and every noise the audience made....I can spot the tone/vibe of any one of those songs. Brad rocked it and it stands up to this day as the best live vibe in my opinion. More than one mix of that album is available.
I saw Night Ranger back in 2003 or so, in a casino in Sault Ste. Marie Michigan. They were originally supposed to show up in like February but the weather was pure crap...I figured they would cancel, I mean, its a small gig...but they came back in May and I was so astonished. I saw a WHOLE bunch of concerts at that particular venue, Ratt, Skid Row, Sammy Hagar, Godsmack etc, but Night Ranger had it together. It was the entire band, original members and it was fantastic. The songs were tight and they sounded great.
Fantastic interview!! Been a huge fan of Brad’s since the Speak of the Devil album, and the classy, yet on point job he did filling my idols (Randy Rhoads)shoes…
Randy could never be replaced is what i was told by some kid when I was buying Blizzard of ozz in 1982, and he turned out to be correct in a big way. Randy is an all time A leaguer, ozzy never sounded like that again.
@@Dave_Wight_The_Rock_Oracle Some young kid told you that huh ? Brad killed it because Randy's stuff is extremely conventional and easy to play . The Crazy Train solo is the easiest of all , that's one of the very first solo's guitar teachers show you .
@@herbcanter2114 not sure what that has to do with anything, because as we know Ozzy never had any albums remotely approach.the level of BOO or DOAM so the kid endrd up being correct. As you know, Randy was incredibly knowledgeable on music theory so his stuff should be easy to play because he could write stuff using a variety of things to make it simpler. In fact typically when someone isn't very knowledgeable as my guitar teacher Said their stuff will be harder to play because they can't write as well and make as fluid and struggle to find a simpler way to do something. Since you play guitar you know Eddie van haken is also extremely conventional and easy stuff to play. Brad is also on record saying he could never write stuff like Randy and the bootlegs also indicate Brad did a good job but he did make mistakes in fact Dave Mustaine made a comment about it. Actually the first solo I was taught was stairway to heaven and then Ain't talkin bout love.
I remember when I was 30 in 1990 after I got sober I went to a Steppenwolf outdoor concert they had hundreds of 60 + yr old bikers all rockin out and thought that was cool and they made me feel young in comparison.Now that I'm turning 61 today I can be the old coot in the audience!!My only regret is that I didn't go see more live concerts and the dozens I did go see were just a blur of drunken craziness ! 🤘
this dude gets it. always has been such a smart guy in his career. I got one of the first Floyd bridges with fine tuners, from a luthier who knew Floyd. HE had one of the first batch non fine tuner versions.
I Absolutely am a Brad Gills and Night Ranger Fan this is Great Brad is Unbelievable the first time I got to see him Texxas Jam with Ozzy I had seen Ozzy in Dallas in January same year Randy Rhoads was So Amazing so yeah I didn’t know about Night Ranger yet so I am watching Ozzy 2nd time that year and Brad had to have had a ton of things going on but I remember going Ok who is this I have Brad as one of my Rock Hero’s and Night Ranger kicked my Ass My Favorite concert’s I was also a Sammy Hagar Fan Loved him and Night Ranger opened the Funniest concert’s I just saw Night Ranger end of last summer for my 9 th time Some of their Great shows Seven Wishes Tour I Love Man in Motion they played a free concert downtown Dallas A Truly All American Great Band their twin Guitar Attack was Better off The start was Incredible Jeff Watson Amazing Jack Blade’s and Kelly vocals Perfect
It was all about fun then I was on the road from Dawn Patrol through big life. I never laughed so hard in my life 🤣. It was truly a family back then. Thanks for all the great memories. Biff
This guy stepped in when Randy Rhodes died and did a phenomenal job with Ozzy. Tough shoes to fill and an incredibly hard situation. Gillis is amazingly talented
I remember a nice very young lady coming into NYC playing the first Motley Crue album saying she went to the Night Ranger show. She then became quite a show biz personality in her own right.
Nice to see you sober Brad. First meet you at Ritchie's while you guys recorded Rubican in Studio City at his studio. Then we all walked around at Knotts Berry Farm before your show with Rick Nelson and Mizzouri Foxx.
Great interview. Brad is such a solid player with a cool personality. I'm a drummer and don't know anything about guitars but it was still fun hearing him talk about gear.
I took my son to a NightRanger show about 4 or 5 yrs ago at a festival called "The Uncle Sam Jam" in Woodhaven Michigan. I remember my Boy saying, Wow, ive heard these songs before and i was like, ofcourse you have, youve been listening to my music since you were born. But he knew the songs, just not who the band was. Fun taking your kids to shows and educating them on who's who in the Rock World.
This Gentleman can play. If by some stretch you found this video and have never heard his music, do yourself a favor and listen to him play guitar. He is one of the best ever. No joke.
Brads playing on Speak of the Devil and guitar sound( MESA)and Sister Christian really stand out to me .Clearly a smart and talented guy and deserving if success
I wonder if Brad still has his red strat from Night ranger days. I remember him talking about it in 83’ he stated that he had refinished it and the red paint came from left over paint he had painted his Datsun ( Nissan) 240 Z car. Loved that guitar. It was a screamer!🎶
