Michael Stanley Dead: Cleveland’s Hometown Rock Hero Was 72

Michael Stanley Dead: Cleveland’s Hometown Rock Hero Was 72

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Michael Stanley, who became nationally known for a radio hit in 1981 but was the symbol of rock ‘n’ roll in the city of Cleveland for decades, passed away on Friday at the age of 72. The cause of death was lung cancer that had been diagnosed for seven months. earlier.

Stanley’s illness became known when he said goodbye to his usual radio shift at the 98.5 WNCX of Cleveland in late February and the station issued a statement in which he prayed for his family.

In a letter posted on the radio station’s website on Saturday, Stanley said goodbye to fans: ‘Hey gang … Well, if you’re reading this, I want to catch up on the big club tour. But before the bus leaves, I want to thank you all for participating in my musical journey … Someone once said that if you like your job, it does not really work. And if that’s true (and I think it certainly is), I’ve been out of work for over 50 years! It would surely have been nice if it all took longer, but my time on this mortal role has been blessed with good family, friends and colleagues, and you can not ask for much more than that! … Take care of yourself and everyone else and remember, now more than ever: This is your world … pay attention! Peace. ”

Joe Walsh, another Cleveland rock hero – and a player on Stanley’s second album in the 1970s – paid tribute. “Michael was the king of Cleveland, and of course the Michael Stanley Band became a powerhouse in the Middle East,” Walsh said in a statement published on Cleveland.com. ‘Michael has always been a master at songwriting. His songs have a way of getting into your head and have since become songs that you end up singing to yourself … His music will always be part of me. ‘

KISS’s Paul Stanley tweeted: “RIP MICHAEL STANLEY … No relationship with me, was a Cleveland legend. A musician and songwriter who can tackle arenas. After that, he switched to a radio personality. A bright light and warm soul. His letter to his fans before his death says it all. Such grace. ”

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Michael Stanley Letter

Stanley started as a solo artist in 1973 with two albums in a more contemplative singer / songwriter before forming the Michael Stanley Band, whose debut in 1975 on Epic Records, “You Break It … You Bought It”, introduced the more robust arena. -friendly folk songs for which the group became famous. The MSB had its biggest national profile in 1980 when the single ‘He Can’t Love You’ reached number 33 on the Billboard 100. The song and a 1983 sequel, the Cleveland-inspired ‘My Town’, which also cracked the top 40 were early staples of a budding MTV.

But before and after, the band was excessively big in Ohio and surrounding states, taking to heart their song “Midwest Midnight” (released on the live album “Stage Pass” with its famous cover of the cleavage baring) as a statement of local pride. In the late ’70s / early’ 80s heyday, the Michael Stanley Band sold several nights at the Richfield Coliseum and Blossom Music Center.

Most of the early records of Stanley and his group were produced by Bill Szymczyk, best known as the producer of the Eagles. “All my career I could never get a record for him – it always made me angry,” Szymczyk told the Plain Dealer. ‘I was like’ Damn, Bob (Seger) definitely erupted. Why can we not get Michael either. ‘He was big in the Midwest – Cleveland, Detroit, Pittsburgh. We just could not knock him out there. ”

The Michael Stanley Band broke out in 1986, after undergoing a series of major labels that included Epic, Arista and EMI America. (As a solo artist, Stanley recorded for MCA and Tumbleweed, and his first band, Silk, released an album for ABC in 1969, also produced by Szymczyk.) After the dissolution, Stanley returned to solo albums and also to the bands joined. the Resonators and the Ghost Poets, which works on Razor & Tie or releases its own labels.

Stanley was fed up with the iconography of Cleveland that he appeared as himself on The Drew Carey Show in the city. But that was hardly the extent of his TV credits. The rocker was most recognized as a local TV and radio broadcaster in the post-Michael Stanley Band years. He co-hosted PM Magazine on Channel 8 of Cleveland from 1987-90. He also spent a year on the same station’s “Cleveland Tonight,” with his television years earning him 11 local Emmies. After his time on TV, he became an afternoon radio DJ from 1990 to February 2021, along with occasional albums and local shows.

Greg Harris, President / CEO of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, issued a statement saying: ‘We share with a heavy heart that Cleveland’s born son and local treasurer Michael Stanley has passed away. Michael was our city’s most beloved musician, songwriter and rocker. His heartland music resonated with legions of listeners, and his concerts set attendance records and assumed mythical proportions. More importantly, Michael’s songs spoke to our hearts. ”

“As fans, we worshiped and revered him, and in return he immediately loved us,” Harris continued. ‘The energy of his music and the ability to bring people together helped make Cleveland the Rock and Roll Capitol of the World, and it made the community galvanize to pull together and make our city home to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. To make fame. We will miss Michael very much. My sincere condolences to the Stanley family on the death of Michael. His contributions to rock and roll and our region will not be forgotten, and we are delighted to preserve his legacy and tell his story forever in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. ”

A statement from his family said that the singer / songwriter (and in his last actors DJ) – full name Michael Stanley Gee – ‘died peacefully at home on March 5 with his family by his side … Michael has lung cancer fought for seven months with the same strength and dignity he carried throughout his life. He will always be remembered as a loving father, brother, husband, a loyal friend and the leader of one of Cleveland’s most successful rock bands. ‘

The funeral service will be private and Stanley will be buried at Lake View Cemetery, the family said.

Stanley did his last afternoon shift at WNCX on February 19th. On March 3, the classic rock station finally acknowledged his absence and said: ‘Michael Stanley has serious health issues dealing with him preventing him from joining you in his 15-19 time. lock. It was important for him to be on the air until recently, because you, his fans, mean so much to him. ”

Stanley has released an unreleased album – which brought producer Szymczyk back into the fray, more than 50 years after he produced Silk’s album in 1969, followed by a healthy record for Stanley and the MSB in the 70s. Szymczyk told Cleveland.com that although Stanley was in a deteriorating state when they cut the “Tough Room” album last year, “It’s pretty shocking. He always … brooders and cried. I was always attracted. to the anglers … and these have more crocheters than weeping holes. ‘

Stanley is survived by two daughters, Anna Sary (Christian) and Sarah Sharp (Aaron); his wife, Ilsa Glanzberg and stepson Cole Sweeney; his sister, Nancy Oosterhoudt, and niece, Claire Kloss; and five grandchildren: Mallory Sidoti (Mike), Aidan Kraus, Brody Kraus, Wren Sary and Phoebe Sary.

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