Who Gave the Drummer a Microphone?

Night Ranger's Midnight Madness album, with drummer Keagy at lower left

Today's fact is the first of a series in which I will shine the spotlight on a Top 10 hit from the 80s that was sung by, of all people, the band's drummer.

Up first, Night Ranger's epic 1984 song "Sister Christian".

Originally known as 'The Rangers', the band changed its name to Night Ranger in 1982 after a copyright dispute with another band.  The band put together a string of hits throughout the decade, including two Top 10 singles, and 3 others that would crack the Top 20.  Most of these hits were sung by bassist Jack Blades.  But, for one fateful season in early 1984, the band let its guard down and let the drummer do the singing.

Drummer Kelly Keagy wrote "Sister Christian" for his sister, Christy, who was considerably younger than he.  The song was born out of Keagy's surprise at how quickly his younger sister had grown up.  The song was intended to be titled "Sister Christy", but Jack Blades' couldn't understand what Keagy was singing and thought he was saying "Sister Christian".  And the title stuck.

The second single from Night Ranger's 'Midnight Madness' album, the song's success was bolstered by MTV keeping the music video in heavy rotation all summer.  Ultimately, the song would reach #5 on the US charts, and become Night Ranger's biggest hit.  And leave us to debate exactly what "motoring" is...