Posted on 03/07/2021 10:02:19 AM PST by mylife
CLEVELAND (WJW)– Devastating news for music fans in Cleveland. Michael Stanley, 72, has died. He was diagnosed with lung cancer last fall and fought until the very end.
Michael Stanley Gee was born in 1948, the same year the Indians won the World Series. He loved baseball, playing throughout his childhood in Cleveland and Rocky River. His ability earned him a baseball scholarship to Hiram College.
Michael also loved music. He learned to play guitar after watching performers like Elvis and Beatles on television. He played in several bands while he was a student at Rocky River High School, including The Scepters and “Tree Stumps. He played with the band Sylk during his college years.
Between his love of baseball and his love of music, music won out and he started focusing on his songwriting. In 1973, Michael recorded “Rosewood Bitters,” a song that would stick with him throughout his career and become a fan favorite.
In between recording sessions, Michael worked for a record store in Cleveland. One day, he was asked to perform at a rival store and he was let go. Michael had a decision to make.
“I was fired from my job, just bought a new car, had two babies and no employment between us, and I was like… What am I going to do now?”
Out of the need to just pay the bills, the Michael Stanley Band was formed. They started getting regional recognition, and were asked to open for bands like Reo Speedwagon, Cheap Trick, Foreigner, and Joe Walsh, who played with Michael on his second album.
(Excerpt) Read more at fox8.com ...
Class act. Good musician. A huge part of my late teens.
Back in the day I was floored when I first heard “He Don’t Love You Like I Love You” on the radio. Had no idea he was so prolific.
Grew up in Elyria. I believe that I have nearly all of his albums. Michael will truly be missed. Notice my screen name?
It saddens me how unknown he was outside of the midwest.
“It saddens me how unknown he was outside of the midwest.”
He was pretty philosophical about it. Realized lots of talent just never got that lucky break.
I’m glad I got to enjoy his music.
Wierd how joe Walsh became a household name.
“Wierd how joe Walsh became a household name.”
Talent + hard work + luck.
MSB had the first two. Joe Walsh hit the trifecta.
From Elyria too. I have quite a few of albums and saw him in concert several times.
It also saddens me that that runt Springsteen is still about, ripping off MSBs sound.
I first heard of Joe Walsh when he was with The James Gang.
Funny clip, from The Drew Carey Show, with Michael, and Joe Walsh, among others.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BJTqvNLQlG0
I used to work as a DJ at at classic rock station. I’d frequently work MSB into my show, especially “He Can’t Love You” and “My Town,” MSB’s two Top 40 hits. I always thought it was a crime that the group didn’t get the recognition and popularity it deserved. I still have “He Can’t Love You” in my 45 rpm collection!
I still love the rosewood bitters
“Midwest, Midnight”, one of the best songs ever.
10,000 watts of holy light..
on my radioooooooo
There are 3 basic levels in the popular music business. Bar players, B acts and A listers/successful hit writers. B opens for A, played there for a few years when I was young. It’s a big step up from the bar grind, but the Road grind is very dangerous of course. I was talking to a guy I did some local shows much later with a guy who toured with George Clinton, opening for him in his regular B act. He was also stage manager for the A act. He was on the road 11 years, much longer than I lasted. I asked how it went. He said, “Over 11 years, 4 of the guys died and I had a stroke, had to quit and couldn’t play for 3 years.”
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