Damn Yankees (band)
| Company type | Supergroup |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1989 in New York City, United States |
| Founder | Tommy Shaw, Jack Blades, Ted Nugent, Michael Cartellone |
| Headquarters | New York City , United States |
| Products | Music albums, singles |
Damn Yankees was a prominent American rock supergroup established in New York City in 1989. The lineup included vocalist and guitarist Tommy Shaw (from Styx), singer and bassist Jack Blades (of Night Ranger), guitarist Ted Nugent (formerly of the Amboy Dukes), and drummer Michael Cartellone (who later joined Lynyrd Skynyrd).
Their most recognized tracks are the Top 40 hits "High Enough" and "Where You Goin' Now," which gained significant airplay during the early 1990s.
History
During the late 1980s, the rock scene saw the rise of supergroups such as Bad English, Mr. Big, and Badlands, coinciding with changes in the music industry. In 1989, producer John Kalodner brought together Shaw, Blades, and Nugent to form Damn Yankees, aiming to rejuvenate their careers amid waning success with their original bands. Their self-titled debut album, produced by Ron Nevison and released in 1990, achieved double-platinum certification by 1994. Jack Blades’s track "Coming of Age" reached number 60 on the U.S. Hot 100 and topped AOR charts, while Shaw’s "Come Again" also received substantial radio rotation.
Their signature power ballad "High Enough" became their highest-charting single, climbing to No. 3 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 and No. 2 on AOR charts in early 1991; this marked Ted Nugent’s first entry into the mainstream top ten. Additionally, their songs were featured on soundtracks for films such as Gremlins 2: The New Batch, Nothing But Trouble, and The Taking of Beverly Hills.
After releasing their debut, Damn Yankees embarked on an international tour lasting approximately 18 months, sharing stages with acts like Bad Company, Poison, and Jackyl. Their U.S. tour coincided with the Persian Gulf War period, during which they displayed American flags and expressed patriotic sentiments.
The group’s second album, Don't Tread (1992), earned gold certification and included its title track on the Olympic-themed compilation Barcelona Gold. During this time, Nugent took part in Rock the Vote, advocating for the Republican Party against Bill Clinton. Although it did not match the commercial success of their first release, Don't Tread featured notable singles such as "Mister Please," "Where You Goin' Now," and "The Silence Is Broken," the latter appearing in the 1993 film Nowhere to Run.
Shaw Blades
By 1994, changes in Warner Bros.' leadership led to a reduced focus on bands like Damn Yankees. Jack Blades recounted that the label compensated them with $1 million to prevent a third album from being made, reflecting a broader industry shift away from their style of music. Subsequently, Ted Nugent returned to his solo career, while Tommy Shaw and Jack Blades formed the duo known as Shaw Blades. Their 1995 release Hallucination received limited promotional support amid a growing emphasis on alternative and grunge genres. Despite some favorable reviews and moderate airplay for tracks like "I'll Always Be with You," along with the title song's inclusion in Tommy Boy, the album lacked major hit singles or a nationwide tour. After completing a short West Coast tour, Shaw and Blades resumed activities with Styx and Night Ranger respectively.
In 2007, Shaw Blades issued Influence, a collection of cover songs paying tribute to artists from the 1960s and 1970s who inspired them. They also contributed a rendition of "The Twelve Days of Christmas" to the 2002 compilation A Classic Rock Christmas. Both musicians continue primarily focusing on their original bands.
Reunions
While Night Ranger and Styx were on break, Shaw, Blades, and Ted Nugent collaborated in 1999 on a prospective Damn Yankees album titled Bravo. However, the project was ultimately abandoned as both the band members and record labels expressed dissatisfaction. Some tracks from these sessions were later incorporated into solo or group releases. Jack Blades mentioned that although the album was never officially issued, portions of it have appeared across various records.
In 2004, Damn Yankees came together again to perform at Alice Cooper's yearly charity event, delivering several of their notable songs. On January 15, 2010, the founding lineup surprised attendees with an acoustic set at the NAMM Show in Anaheim, featuring favorites such as "Coming of Age" and "Cat Scratch Fever."
In 2011, Nugent teamed up with Night Ranger to produce an extended rendition of "Coming of Age" for their album Somewhere in California. This version included a guitar solo influenced by his classic "Stranglehold." Later, in May 2017, drummer Michael Cartellone joined Night Ranger onstage to perform the same track live.
Regarding potential future endeavors with Damn Yankees, Cartellone has indicated that the members continue to collaborate informally without officially disbanding. Although no new studio album has been released to date, the possibility of reunions remains open.
Former members
- Tommy Shaw – rhythm and lead guitars, lead and backing vocals (1989–1994, 1998–2001, 2004, 2010)
- Jack Blades – bass guitar, lead and backing vocals (1989–1994, 1998–2001, 2004, 2010)
- Ted Nugent – lead and rhythm guitars, backing and lead vocals (1989–1994, 1998–2001, 2004, 2010)
- Michael Cartellone – drums, percussion, backing vocals (1989–1994, 1998–2001, 2004, 2010)
Session members
- Robbie Buchanan – keyboards on Don't Tread (1992)
Studio albums
| Title | Album details | Peak chart positions |
Certifications |
|---|---|---|---|
| US | |||
| Damn Yankees |
|
13 |
|
| Don't Tread |
|
22 |
|
Live albums
- Extended Versions (2008)
Compilation albums
- The Essentials (2002)
- Rhino Hi-Five: Damn Yankees EP (2005)
- High Enough - Best of: Damn Yankees (2019)
Singles
| Title | Release | Peak chart positions | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US | US Main |
AUS | ||
| "Coming of Age" | 1990 | 60 | 1 | - |
| "High Enough" | 3 | 2 | 57 | |
| "Come Again" | 1991 | 50 | 5 | — |
| "Runaway" | — | 9 | — | |
| "Bad Reputation" | — | 31 | — | |
| "Where You Goin' Now" | 1992 | 20 | 6 | — |
| "Don't Tread on Me" | — | 3 | — | |
| "Silence Is Broken" | 1993 | 62 | 20 | — |
| "Mister Please" | — | 3 | — | |
Soundtrack Contributions
- "Bonestripper" featured in the soundtrack of Nothing but Trouble (1991)
Music Videos
| Title | Year Released | Director |
|---|---|---|
| "High Enough" | 1990 | Larry Jordan |
| "Coming of Age" | Ethan Russell | |
| "Come Again" | 1991 | |
| "Don't Tread on Me" | 1992 | |
| "Where You Goin' Now" | Larry Jordan | |
| "Silence Is Broken" | 1993 | Piers Plowden |
External links
- Articles with short description
- Glam metal musical groups from California
- Hard rock musical groups from California
- Heavy metal musical groups from California
- American heavy metal supergroups
- Musical groups established in 1989
- Musical groups disbanded in 1996
- Musical groups reformed in 1998
- Musical groups disbanded in 2001
- Ted Nugent
- Musical groups disestablished in 1996