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SHOW SUMMARY:
Date: May 27, 2026
Name of Podcast: Backstage Pass Radio
S10: E8: Brad Gillis (Night Ranger / Ozzy Osbourne) - Where Ya Gonna Run To Now
SHOW SUMMARY:
One phone call can redraw your whole life, especially when it comes from Sharon Osbourne and ends with Ozzy saying, “Go get your guitar.” We sit down with Brad Gillis, the legendary Night Ranger guitarist whose tone and vibrato helped define 80s rock radio, to unpack the real stories behind the hits and the hard parts that never make it into the liner notes. From KLOL’s wild Rock And Roll Auction jam culture to today’s packed touring calendar, Brad makes a case that rock and roll longevity is built, not wished into existence.
We go back to Brad’s early years, from Rubicon’s funk rock experimentation to the by ear approach that trained him to learn fast under pressure. Then we dig deep into 1982: the shock of Randy Rhoads’ passing, the audition gauntlet, the scramble to learn nearly 20 songs, and what it’s like to step onto a sold-out stage when fans are still grieving. Brad shares the human side too, including what surprised him most about Ozzy’s professionalism and nerves before showtime.
From there, we trace the rise of Night Ranger, the MTV era acceleration, and the business choices that reshaped the band’s identity when ballads started stacking up. Brad also gets wonderfully nerdy about guitar tone, from his iconic red Strat and early Floyd Rose history to building and actually playing a serious vintage guitar collection. We also talk StewMac, prototype pickups, and the creative push that keeps him inventing new tools and sounds.
If you love Night Ranger, Ozzy Osbourne history, 80s rock, classic guitar rigs, or the behind-the-scenes truth of touring musicians, hit subscribe, share this with a friend, and leave a review so more listeners can find the show. What part of Brad’s journey do you want us to go deeper on next?
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Artist(s) Web Page:
www.nightranger.com
Co-hosted by: Dayna Steele
www.daynasteele.com
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