CLEVELAND, Ohio – Michael Stanley, hometown rock legend, died Friday at age 72 after a seven-month battle with lung cancer.
Stanley’s death leaves a “gaping hole in a city where he was a rock ‘n’ roll king and a much-loved, award-winning radio and television personality,” as was written in his cleveland.com/The Plain Dealer obituary.
Cleveland.com asked readers on our Facebook, Twitter and Instagram platforms to share their favorite Michael Stanley songs and memories, and thousands responded. While many sent general condolences, many others reminisced on their favorite songs, albums and concerts, even sharing photos and videos in the comments.
Here is a small sample of the tributes to Stanley, shared as written on our social media pages:
George Sterle: “Growing up in Rocky River we were blessed to have grown up with the Gee’s. Michael’s mom was a substitute teacher. Michael was a great baseball player and was a member of several local bands. We all knew he was a rock star from the beginning. May he be blessed and continue to rock the stars above. RIP”
Jane Snyder: “I think maybe 1980? First time I saw him at Canton Civic Center. He was truly one of a kind. Such a huge loss for Cleveland. Last time I saw him was at Edgewater Beach for a Thursday night concert. Still just as good. Good memories.”
Jack Kaschak: “RIP Michael. You rocked Cleveland. We have lost another treasure.”
Maria Clyde: “He was one of our favorites, fortunate to have attended numerous concerts. The last one was 2 summers ago at the new Youngstown amphitheater. It was a beautiful night, and a great show. ‘Lover’ is my all time favorite song of his. RIP Michael, and thanks for the memories.”
Matt FotoMatt Drobnik: “I still finding myself thanking God for the man who put the white lines on the highway....RIP Michael.”
Melissa Grucza: “Former Clevelander living now in central Kentucky. Was in a Kroger store a few years back and all of a sudden I hear a tune playing that I hadn’t heard for YEARS - it was ‘He Can’t Love You.’ Brought back great memories of home. RIP Michael.”
Timothy Arnette: “I don’t know where to begin. First I’m from St. Louis and Michael has always been a fan favorite thanks to KSHE radio. I first saw him at the old Arena in St. Louis opening for Heart in the late 70s. I was hooked immediately. Went the next day and bought ‘Stage Pass.’ Bought every album and went to see him any time he came to town. Named our youngest son after Michael. We now play in band together and we learned to play Rosewood Bitters. Thank you Michael. Thoughts and prayers for his family, friends and fans. Rest easy Michael.”
Donna Baxter: “We’ve lost an icon in the community. There will never be another. RIP Michael. You were one of the great ones. Already missed...thank you WNCX team for the heartfelt moving tributes of music and memories. We all needed that.”
Michael Ferguson: “Condolences to Michael’s family. Growing up in Cleveland during the 70′s and 80′s, MSB concerts at Blossom were ‘it’. Thanks for all the great memories. We lost one of our own today.”
Nancy Houser: “Michael Stanley truly was one of Cleveland’s Own ! And he proved over and over and over again how one man can make a difference. He was compassionate, unselfish, and loved sharing his talent with all of us. Thanks Michael for your gift of music...may you rock on in that heavenly band of angels!”
Richard Horvath: “One after another all the great rockers are passing away. So glad i grew up in the 70′s and 80′s and got to see all these great people live in concert. Many fond memories of late nights at Blossom & the Coliseum. R.I.P Michael. Thank god for the man that put the white lines on the highway...”
Cathy Corral: “He made it cool to be from here. I will always be grateful for that and cherish my memories of him. Thank you.”
Lance DuLac: “The day the music died. His music was the soundtrack of my youth. Thank you, Michael. My condolences to his friends and family.”
Judy Daher: “Attending his concerts was like going to a happy family reunion. Everyone dancing, singing every word of every song, feeling his love and appreciation for his fan family. He will rock on in the hearts of his fans and Cleveland forever.”
Randy Tolen: “I was hooked from my HS days and ‘Stage Pass’ all the way to today....this is a really hard one. Thank you Michael......you’ll never be forgetten.”
Lisa Bair Wilmoth: “In 1984 my husband and I got married and we were stationed in NM, I can’t begin to tell you how excited we were to hear “My Town” on the radio and some video program station early in the morning before work. It brought a little bit of home to us out there . We loved his music and so glad his music will live on.”
Brigitte French: “Many fond memories of his music. I worked at the Agora in Painesville and they would play there. I still treasure my albums from my youth. He touched many lives sharing his music . My thoughts and prayers for his family. He will be missed by many.”
Linda McMullen: “Oh, how sad. He was such a fixture in Cleveland music and a genuinely nice guy. My condolences to his family.”
Maria Stefou: “He was the soundtrack of my teens and twenties. I went to many of his concerts and he was always my favorite. We will miss him.”
Kim Krause: “I have to say let’s get the show on the road is my favorite thanks for the music.”
john obodzinski (@jonnyo54): “Incredibly sad day... Cleveland loved Michael Stanley and he loved Cleveland just as much... i hope the Rock Hall acknowledges our icon this year at the induction ceremony. RIP Michael.. legends never really die and his music will live forever.”
Kim Seal (@munchkinsgram): “He was a customer where I worked. When he walked up to me I told him, “You look like Michael Stanley!” He just smiled and said, “Well that’s good because I am!” I was so embarrassed, but he couldn’t have been nicer. RIP”
John Leary (@JWLearyJR): “Many early ’80′s trips to the Richfield Coliseum, Blossom Center, and Front Row Theater to see MSB. There ain’t no bands close to MSB anymore! Great memories”
Elizabeth Woda (@emwoda): “My favorite Michael Stanley Band lyric: ‘Thank God for the man who put the white lines on the highway’ I have quoted it many times while driving at night in a rainstorm.”
J Jones (@jlgj6385): “College concert, All I Ever Wanted playing, guy I like but I don’t know how serious he is about me turns around several rows in front of me and finds me in the crowd and *smiles.* Been married 36 years. #MSB #MichaelStanley”
Tim Mislansky (@mislansky): “Every time I come back to Cleveland, once I can see downtown I blare “This is my Town” as loud as the car stereo will go. RIP Michael”
@kennyroda: “Loved My Town & He Can’t Love you, but for me as a sports fan his @cavs fight song Tonight’s the Night is the one that I love the most because it connects Michael Stanley to his town – his team, it rocks and I have nothing but great memories from when that song was played before Cavs games at the the Richfield Coliseum. We still play Tonight’s the Night on my radio show before Cavs games.”
@auntdiana63: “The entire Stage Pass album! Can’t hear any of those songs without taking me back to a younger, simpler time.”
@imbribrismommy: “New Year’s Eve concerts at [Richfield] Coliseum – always opened with Midwest Midnight. My heart still races when I think about it. I hope he knew how much he was loved.”
@kathymcdonald29: “I have such fond memories of the concerts at Blossom and the Coliseum. Singing to every song. Knowing all the words. He will be sorely missed. Thank God for the man who put the white lines on the highway!! Rest In Peace!!”
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