By Kreig Marks, August 2025

 

TRR:  Kelly, you've been the heartbeat of Night Ranger for decades. What drew you to drums in the first place?

 

KELLY:  Honestly, it was watching Ringo Starr on TV. The way he played with so much joy, plus, he got to sit down the whole time! I thought, “That’s the gig for me.” And once I hit that first snare, I was hooked.

 

TRR:  Not only are you the drummer, but you sing lead on some of the band’s biggest hits like "Sister Christian." How did that come about?

 

KELLY:  It started as a demo I wrote for my sister, actually. I sang it just to show the guys what I had in mind, and next thing you know, they said, “That’s the version.” I didn’t expect it to become the band’s anthem!

 

TRR:  Singing and drumming at the same time is no joke. How do you keep your rhythm and vocals in sync?

 

KELLY:  Practice, muscle memory, and sometimes divine intervention! It’s like learning to pat your head and rub your stomach, eventually, it clicks.

 

TRR:  Night Ranger toured with some legendary acts in the ’80s. Any wild stories you can share?

 

KELLY:  Let’s just say, there was a night when our tour bus ended up racing Motley Crüe’s… and we may or may not have swapped drivers mid-race. It was a different era!

 

TRR:  What’s a Night Ranger song that fans sleep on, but you love?

 

KELLY:  “Sentimental Street.” It never gets as much love as “Sister Christian” or “Don’t Tell Me You Love Me,” but it’s got heart and a groove I love playing live.

 

TRR:  You guys really leaned into melody and harmony. Was that intentional from the start?

 

KELLY:  Totally. We all loved bands like The Beatles, Eagles, and Journey, great songs, great vocals. We wanted to be heavy but still singable, like you could blast it and still sing along.

 

TRR:  What’s your favorite drum fill you’ve ever recorded?

 

KELLY:  That break before the final chorus of “(You Can Still) Rock in America.” It’s just one of those moments that felt like, “Yeah, that’s the one.”

 

TRR:  Fast forward to now, what keeps you going after all these years?

 

KELLY:  The fans, man. Seeing three generations singing along is surreal. Plus, I still love the feel of that kick pedal under my foot. It never gets old.

 

TRR:  If you could jam with any drummer, past or present, who would it be?

 

KELLY:  John Bonham. No question. I’d probably just stare at him the whole time, but it’d be worth it.

 

TRR:  Ever thought of doing a full solo album again?

 

KELLY:  Actually, yes. I’ve been writing on the road and messing with some new sounds. It might not be all rock, but I promise it’ll have soul.

 

TRR:  Favorite guilty pleasure song you secretly love?

 

KELLY:  “Dancing Queen” by ABBA. Come on, that groove is undeniable!

 

TRR:  Last one, what’s one piece of advice you’d give to young drummers starting out today?

 

KELLY:  Play for the song, not the solo. Be solid, be musical, and always show up prepared, and early!