Biography

For a brief time in the early '90s, the supergroup Damn Yankees enjoyed a considerable amount of success on the arena rock circuit. Comprised of guitarist Ted Nugent, Styx's Tommy Shaw, Night Ranger's Jack Blades, and drummer Michael Cartellone, the group arrived during the final moments of pop-metal's heyday, and their music didn't stray from that radio-friendly format at all. Damn Yankees' self-titled debut album spawned several hits in 1990, including the Top Ten power ballad "High Enough" and the radio hit "Coming of Age." Although they proved to be a popular concert draw (Nugent even made headlines for his unchained behavior onstage, which included shooting arrows into an effigy of Saddam Hussein), the band's follow-up effort Don't Tread didn't fare nearly as well. The group disbanded soon after, with Tommy Shaw and Jack Blades continuing to work together as Shaw Blades. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine, All Music Guide