Damn Yankees’ Vets Ride ‘High Enough’

Damn Yankees seemed like a terrible idea--pairing a fortysomething guitarist, macho Ted Nugent, with bassist Jack Blades from the mellow-metal band Night Ranger and guitarist Tommy Shaw, formerly with the pompous pop-rock Styx. Besides the stylistic differences, none of the musicians was even remotely a hot property.

Yet, the trio’s pop/hard-rock debut album on Warner Bros. Records, containing the hit single “High Enough,” has sold more than a million copies since its release early last year and is still in the Top 20.

But Blades isn’t surprised. He’s just puzzled over why other record companies originally passed on the band.

“They weren’t listening to the music and its potential,” Blades said during a recent interview. “All they were concerned about was the potential problems.”

One fear was that radio and young fans would perceive Damn Yankees as an over-the-hill gang.

“If we had been in our early ‘20s with that same demo tape, I don’t think we would have had any trouble getting a deal,” said Blades, the baby of the threesome at 34. (Nugent is 42 and Shaw is 36.)

There was also concern that ego clashes would short-circuit the group, which also includes drummer Michael Cartellone, who worked in Shaw’s post-Styx band.

“We knew that could be a problem,” Blades acknowledged. “And one way to ensure as much harmony as possible was for the three original members to split everything equally--which we do.”

None of the concerns has materialized. Radio was receptive to Damn Yankees from the start and the three veterans apparently did get along in the studio. The only real negative has been the thorough critical trashing of the album, which obviously hasn’t swayed many fans.

“Fans have responded to the fact that this is a real all-star group--featuring musicians they’re familiar with,” said Pam Edwards, program director of hard-rock station KNAC-FM. “Age wasn’t a factor, particularly since classic rock is so big. What also helped this band is that it’s a strong live band.”

Blades originally got together with Nugent and Shaw after Night Ranger folded early in 1989 and felt an immediate chemistry--both musically and personally. “You don’t want to get stuck with guys you can’t stand,” he said. “But everything seemed right this time.”

The irony of Damn Yankees’ album success is that the original plan never called for recording. “We were just going to go on tour and have fun--with no pressure,” Blades said. “But our managers pushed us to make a record. Now things are more business-oriented and organized than we intended, because of the record deal. But we can’t complain. It looks like our managers also pushed us into a fortune.”