Damn Yankees

Overview
The Band was formed in 1989, consisting of Tommy Shaw of Styx, Jack Blades of Night Ranger, Ted Nugent of Amboy Dukes and his own solo career, and Michael Cartellone. Presumably inspired by the musical of the same name, Nugent once also explained that he coined the name because whenever someone asked him how he and Tommy Shaw would sound playing together, he would always reply by saying they would sound like “a bunch of damn Yankees.”

With Shaw from Alabama, Blades from California, Cartellone from Nebraska, and Nugent from Michigan, it did seem as if the band represented all four corners of the nation. Produced by renowned rock producer Ron Nevison, the new band’s self-titled debut album went double-platinum in 1990. Ted Nugent's well-tooled heavy blues guitar became a cornerstone, but Jack Blades and Tommy Shaw rose to the forefront as a potent vocal duo. However, it must be noted that the album’s bass and drum tracks were all but inaudible; Cartellone especially seems reticent in the mix. Jack Blades’s leading single "Coming of Age," hit #64, while Tommy Shaw’s "Come Again" received extensive AOR airplay. 1990's chart-topping rock ballad "High Enough" featured a passionate duet between Shaw and Blades, backed by a string section in the studio. Backed by a popular video, it rose to #3 on U.S. Top 40, and #1 on AOR charts.

Ironically, "High Enough" happened to be the first #1 pop single in Ted Nugent’s career, despite the fact his career had been built on his "Motor City Madman" image. In fact, Damn Yankees seemed to be following a similar course pursued by Jack Blades’s prior band, Night Ranger, developing an overall hard rock sound in the studio, but relying heavily on power ballads to sell their albums.

Furthermore, their songs appeared on several Hollywood film soundtracks, such as Gremlins 2: The New Batch, John Candy’s comedic vehicle, Nothing But Trouble and the 1991 action movie The Taking of Beverly Hills. After the release of their debut, the Damn Yankees went on a year-and-a-half world tour with the likes of a revamped Bad Company, Poison and Jackyl. Their U.S. tour coincided with the Persian Gulf War, in which the band unfurled American flags and made patriotic statements. However, Nugent’s onstage archery stunts became a matter of controversy when he was arrested and fined after firing a burning arrow into an effigy of Saddam Hussein in Colorado. In 1992, Damn Yankees once again went platinum with their follow-up album Don’t Tread. The title song (sung by Jack Blades) enjoyed extensive coverage at the Barcelona Olympic Games. Ted Nugent also appeared on Rock the Vote, voicing support for the GOP against Bill Clinton. Although the second release was not as successful as the first album, it contained a few minor hits, such as "Mister Please," "Where You Goin’ Now," and "The Silence Is Broken," a Top-10 AOR power ballad featured on the 1993 Jean-Claude Van Damme film Nowhere to Run. As the band began working on a third album, Damon Johnson of Brother Cane was added as another guitarist. The move was necessary due Shaw's participation in Styx. If Shaw was unavailable Johnson would fill in as second guitarist. There was also talk that all three guitarists would play together when Shaw was available. Rumor has it that an album was completed and submitted to the label for approval. As the third release never saw the light of day, one can only speculate as to the reasoning behind the label's decision.

Members
* Tommy Shaw - rhythm & lead guitars, lead vocals, backing vocals \
* Jack Blades - bass, lead vocals, backing vocals
* Ted Nugent - lead & rhythm guitars, backing vocals, lead vocals
* Michael Cartellone - drums, percussion, backing vocals

Singles
* "High Enough" - (1990 - #2 Mainstream Rock Chart, #3 Billboard Hot 100)
* "Coming Of Age" - (1990 - #1 Mainstream Rock Chart, #60 Billboard Hot 100)
* "Come Again" - (1991 - #5 Mainstream Rock Chart, #50 Billboard Hot 100)
* "Runaway" - (1991 - #9 Mainstream Rock Chart)
* "Bad Reputation" - (1991 - #31 Mainstream Rock Chart)
* "Where You Goin' Now" - (1992 - #6 Mainstream Rock Chart, #20 Billboard Hot 100)
* "Don't Tread On Me" - (1992 - #3 Mainstream Rock Chart)
* "Silence Is Broken" - (1993 - #20 Mainstream Rock Chart)
* "Mister Please" - (1993 - #3 Mainstream Rock Chart)

Downloads
Where You Goin' Now High Enough