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 known nationally for a radio hit in 1981, but was the symbol of rock ‘n roll for decades in the city of Cleveland, died on Friday at the age of 72. The cause of death was lung cancer, diagnosed seven months earlier.

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

In a letter posted Saturday on the radio station’s website, Stanley wrote a farewell to the fans: “Hey guys… Well, if you’re reading this, I’m going to follow that big club tour in the sky. But before the bus leaves, I wanted to thank you all for being part of my musical journey…. Someone once said that if you love your job, it’s not really work. And if that is true (and I definitely think it is), I have been happy without a job for more than 50 years! Of course, it would have been nice if all this had lasted a little longer, but my time in this deadly wrapper has been blessed with a great family, friends and co-workers and you can’t ask for much more than that! … Take care of yourself and each other and remember, now more than ever: it’s 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 midwestern power,” said Walsh in a statement published on Cleveland.com. “Michael has always been a master at composing. His songs have a way of getting into your head and they become songs that you end up singing to yourself indefinitely … His music will always be part of me. “

KISS tweeted Paul Stanley: “RIP MICHAEL STANLEY… I have no relationship with me, it was a Cleveland legend. A musician and composer who could pack arenas. He then made the transition to a radio personality. A bright light and a warm soul. His letter to fans before his death says it all. So much grace. “

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Letter from Michael Stanley

Stanley started out as a solo artist in 1973 with two albums in a more contemplative singer / songwriter vein before forming the Michael Stanley Band, whose 1975 debut on Epic Records, “You Break It … You Bought It”, introduced the arena more robust – friendly hymns for which the group became known. MSB had its biggest national profile in 1980, when the single “He Can’t Love You” reached 33rd position on the Billboard 100. This song and a 1983 sequel, the Cleveland-inspired “My Town”, which also broke the First 40, were the first items of a nascent MTV.

But before and after that, the band was disproportionately large in Ohio and neighboring states, which took their song “Midwest Midnight” (featured on the live album “Stage Pass”, with its famous cleavage cover) seriously as a statement of regional pride. In its heyday of the late 1970s / early 1980s, the Michael Stanley Band would sell out several nights at the Richfield Coliseum and the Blossom Music Center.

Most of the first records by Stanley and his group were produced by Bill Szymczyk, better known as the producer of the Eagles. “In my entire career, I never set a record for a monstrous success for him – it always pissed me off,” Szymczyk told the Plain Dealer. “I was like, ‘Damn, Bob (Seger) sure blew up. Why can’t we get Michael too. ‘He was huge in the Midwest – Cleveland, Detroit, Pittsburgh. We just couldn’t get him out of there. “

The Michael Stanley Band split in 1986, after going through a succession 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 split, Stanley returned to solo albums and also joined the Resonators. and the Ghost Poets, launching work on Razor & Tie or on their own labels.

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

Greg Harris, president / CEO of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, released a statement saying: “It is with a heavy heart that we share that Cleveland’s native son and local treasure, Michael Stanley, has passed away. Michael was the most beloved musician, composer and rocker in our city. His country music resonated with legions of listeners, and his shows set audience records and assumed mythic proportions. Even more importantly, Michael’s songs spoke to our hearts. “

“As fans, we adore and revere him, and in return he loved us back,” continued Harris. “The energy of hit’s music and its ability to bring people together has helped make Cleveland the Capitol Rock and Roll of the world, and galvanized the community to come together and make our city the home of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. We will miss Michael very much. My sincere condolences to the Stanley family for the passing of Michael. Your contributions to rock and roll and our region will not be forgotten, and we are honored to preserve your legacy and tell your story forever at the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. “

A statement from his family said that the singer / songwriter (and, in his final act, DJ) – full name Michael Stanley Gee – had “died peacefully at home on March 5 with his family by his side… Michael fought against lung cancer for seven months with the same strength and dignity that 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 will be private, and Stanley will be buried at Lake View Cemetery, the family said.

Stanley took his final afternoon shift at WNCX on February 19th. On March 3, the classic rock station finally acknowledged his absence, saying, “Michael Stanley is dealing with serious health problems that prevent him from joining you at 3 pm to 7 pm slot. It has been important for him to be on the air until recently, because you, his fans, mean a lot to him. “

Stanley left an unreleased album in the can – which brought producer Szymczyk back to the group, more than 50 years after he produced the 1969 album by Silk, followed by a series of healthy records for Stanley and MSB in the 1970s. Szymczyk told Cleveland.com that, although Stanley was in poor health while recording the album “Tough Room” last year, “It is very shaken. He always has … awakenings and cries. I’ve always been attracted to alarm clocks … and this one has more alarm clocks than cries. “

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

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