CLEVELAND — It’s been over two years since funeral home executive Danny Ripepi was killed in a tragic accident when a dump truck caused a highway sigh to crash onto his vehicle. But thanks to his brother Ed, and 80’s rock band, Night Ranger, his legacy lives on through an annual memorial concert happening this Wednesday, November 9, at Playhouse Square's Key Bank State Theater.
We talked with band ahead of the show and learned more about a special collaboration this year, one that marks a first for the band. They are going to be performing with Cleveland's Contemporary Youth Orchestra, something lead singer Jack Blades says has caused the band to adjust many of the songs fans know and love.
"We created different sounds, we created different parts. We've written different parts for the entire, for the entire symphony. And so it's just gonna be this, this, this audio like hallucinogenic experience for the audio people. Audio ecstasy."
Last year the group raised enough money to donate K9 grants to 5 local police departments, one of them even naming an officer in Night Ranger's honor. But this year’s concert beneficiary will be the orchestra itself. A prospect that has Blades and his bandmates pumped up.
"Well, we're excited about this because this is the first time Night Ranger has ever performed with an 80 piece orchestra, the Cleveland Contemporary Youth Orchestra."
For Orchestra violinist Avery Stager, it’s an experience of a lifetime.
"I am so excited. It didn't really hit to like right now, but walking in and seeing them playing, it was the coolest thing ever."
But with just over 48 hours to practice and prepare, there’s a lot of work to be done according to Night Ranger drummer Kelly Keagy
"I think it's more work for them than it is for us. Because we play these, a lot of these songs for the last 40 years we've been playing them, but they're just learning them right now and now they're on crunch time."
Come Wednesday night, the two groups will take to the stage at the Key Bank State Theater to deliver what Blades hopes is a healing performance.
"Music. It was, is what brings the world together. So that's why we need everybody out here Wednesday night. Let's bring it all together, bring it all together in Cleveland."
The 2nd Annual Danny Ripepi Memorial Concert benefitting the Contemporary Youth Orchestra, featuring multi-Platinum recording artist Night Ranger; performing in collaboration with the Contemporary Youth Orchestra will be at KeyBank State Theater at Playhouse Square on Wednesday November 9th at 7pm! Tickets to the show are still available at www.playhousesquare.org.
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