Over the past two decades, Jeff Watson has established himself as one of the world’s most revolutionary and technically gifted guitarists. Jeff originated the “8 Finger Technique,” a fret board tapping style he has used to astound casual fans and professional musicians alike, whether it be on Night Ranger hits like “(You Can Still) Rock In America”, on his awesome solo albums, or through his work with Mothers Army. Jeff’s musical talent has also made him a highly sought after session player, adding guitar tracks to the albums of Chris Isaak, Tony MacAlpine, Steve Morse, and many more. Jeff's powerful stage presence, and flawless playing has become one of his trademarks. Overshadowed by his virtuoso playing is Jeff’s songwriting talent. He has shown an incredible knack for writing powerful heartfelt lyrics and gorgeous arrangements. One listen to songs like “Goodbye,” “Let Him Run,” “Sunday Morning,” and “Around The Sun,” and any listener can feel the pure emotion Jeff can evoke in his songs. This is not to say that Jeff can't pen blazing rockers, and songs like the Night Ranger classics “New York Time” and “I Don’t Call This Love”, or Jeff's solo tune “Cement Shoes” (with Sammy Hagar), are a testament to that.
Before Night Ranger, Jeff gigged around the Sacramento/San Francisco bay area with his own band, appropriately titled “The Jeff Watson Band”. It wouldn’t be long though, (after doing shows with Ted Nugent, Sammy Hagar, and Heart) before Jeff met Alan “Fitz” Fitzgerald (Montrose/ Sammy Hagar) and they decided they wanted to work together. Fitz was living with Jack Blades at the time, and along with Brad Gillis and Kelly Keagy they formed Night Ranger. From the moment Night Ranger’s first single “Don’t Tell Me You Love Me” hit the airwaves, rock fans new this band was something special. That song showcased the breathtaking duel leads of Jeff and partner in crime Brad Gillis, and announced to the world the coming of two new guitar Gods. As Night Rangers album sales grew, (more than 16 million and counting), so did Jeff’s reputation as one of the most talented guitarists in rock n’ roll.
Seeing Jeff live is a real treat for all who have had the pleasure. Only in a live setting can one truly appreciate his musicianship. Between the complex and inventive acoustic guitar work, and the speed and coordination required to pull off what Jeff does on electric guitar, one starts to grasp the sheer complexity of 
his playing.
In 1990, when Night Ranger broke up after the Man In Motion tour, it didn’t take Jeff long to get back to work. Over the next few years, fans of Jeff would be treated to two solo albums, a new band, and numerous guest appearances. In 1992, Jeff was back on the scene with his first solo album, cleverly titled Lone Ranger. This was an instrumental album with the only vocalizations being some “scats” by Sammy Hagar on the rocking “Cement Shoes”. This album was pure guitar heaven, as Jeff let loose pouring energy, emotion, and power out of his guitar and onto the CD. Jeff let his guitar do all the talking and it spoke volumes. Songs like “Mountain Cathedral” and “Osaka Rocka” gave all the proof needed that Jeff’s worldwide reputation was well deserved. The album also offered some great cameo appearances by Jeff's good buddies Steve Morse, Allan Holdsworth, Steve Smith, Carmine Appice, and Bob Daisley. For his next album, 1993’s “Around The Sun”, Jeff took a different approach. Of the thirteen tracks on this album, twelve had vocals. Jeff brought in Kansas lead singer Steve Walsh to guest vocal on five tracks, and again tapped the Hagar family, this time Sammy’s son Aaron, for vocals on two. The remaining five vocal tracks featured lead vocals by Jeff himself. In addition to his solo work, Jeff has released 3 hard rocking albums with his supergroup “Mothers Army”, featuring Joe Lynn Turner on vocals, Bob Daisley on bass, and on drums, Carmine Appice kept time on the first two CD’s while Aynsley Dunbar entered the scene on the third record. Jeff also wrote songs for (and appeared in) several episodes of the hit CBS Don Johnson TV series “Nash Bridges,” as well as playing on two Chris Isaak albums.
Recently he is scored his first full length motion picture, a documentary on the advent of rock climbing and Yosemite Valley called Vertical Frontiers, as well as appearing in the hit Disney film ‘Enchanted’ in 2008, and he is currently putting the finishing touches on his new upcoming solo album 'Squirrels & Kerosene.'
The future looks bright for fans of this gifted guitarist, as it seems Jeff will be gracing them with more phenomenal work for years to come. Jeff’s recent accomplishments include guitar work and a feature appearance in the Oscar and Grammy nominated Disney film “Enchanted,” starring Patrick Dempsey, Susan Sarandon, and Amy Adams. He is now touring with Dennis DeYoung (STYX) and currently putting the finishing touches on his upcoming solo album, “Squirrels & Kerosene.” A respected member of the professional music community, Jeff is a Governor with the Grammy’s National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences San Francisco chapter, and recently presented at the TEC Awards alongside greats such as Robert Plant and Phil Ramone.
Jeff's experience includes sessions/performances with:Night Ranger, Chris Issak, Sammy Hagar, Ted Nugent, Deep Purple, Bob Daisley (Ozzy Osbourne), Steve Morse, Styx, Heart, ZZ Top, Cheap Trick, Pat Benatar, Steve Walsh (lead singer of Kansas), Boston, Bon Jovi, Joe Lynn Turner (Rainbow), Jerry Harrison (Talking Heads) Richard Marx, John Mayer, Aerosmith, Allan Holdsworth, David Foster (Celine Dion, Michael Jackson), .38 Special, Narda Michael Walden (Mariah Carey, Whitney Houston), Don Johnson, Dave Jenkins (Pablo Cruz), Kevin Lima (Director of “Tarzan” and “Enchanted”), Eric Martin, Steve Smith (Journey), Joey P. (Ludacris, TLC), Dale Ramsey (Earth, Wind & Fire, Diana Ross), Frank Basile (Jon Anderson of Yes), Jeremy Colson (Steve Vai, Joe Satriani), Carmine Appice, Matt Cohen (Talking Heads, OAR), Walt Disney Films, Boeing Aircraft, Brenda Chapman (Prince Of Egypt, Lion King, Little Mermaid), Alan “Fitz” Fitzgerald (Bruce Springsteen, Van Halen), Marc Russo (The Yellowjackets, Kenny Loggins), Marvin McFadden (Huey Lewis & The News, Santana), Roger Linn, The Blue Angels (Navy flight team), Bruce Cohn (The Doobie Brothers, Bruce Hornsby), David Lauser (Sammy Hagar, David Lee Roth)
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Jeff Watson Albums & Songs
Night Ranger Albums
Mother's Army Albums
VIEW Jeff Watson/Allan Holdsworth: Forest of Feeling
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