It starts with a family tragedy and ends up as a much more entangled, complicated tale of international corporate interests and corruption. It has 199 of my favorite all time songs, five of which are Michael Stanley. 3News spoke with David Spero about the life and career of Michael Stanley. WebMichael Paul Stanley was born January 27, 1980 in Freehold, New Jersey to Paul and Eileen Stanley. Michael graduated from Plano Senior High School, and went on to earn his Bachelor's of Business Administration and Finance from Texas Tech University in 2004. I was like, Damn, Bob (Seger) sure busted out. The chief is murdered and some elders. Even more importantly, Michaels songs spoke to our hearts. We were big in Denver, we were big in Texas and Florida, but we couldnt get into Indianapolis.". Already a member, log in! I always find it mind boggling when more than one person has written a book as to how they can get on and make their ideas work together and yet these two are on their fifth book. This one felt flat. This latest Detective Kubu Mystery is a gem, although the Botswana assistant superintendent of its CID is one frustrated detective throughout most of the novel. John himself was behind He also won 11 local Emmy Awards as co-host of WJW Channel 8s PM Magazine from 1987-90, and then spent another year on the stations Cleveland Tonight. I enjoyed this instalment very much. The live double album Stage Pass was recorded in Cleveland, and youd see him at the Agora [in Youngstown] and it was exactly the same vibe, said John. Source: music-news.com Alice Cooper didn't know if he should leave the house with his make-up on at the height of his drink and drug addiction. Michael Stanley April 29, 1968 - November 10, 2021 Raleigh, North Carolina - Michael Stanley, 53, of Raleigh, formerly of Dunn, died Wednesday, November 10, On Wednesday, the WNCX-FM radio station in Cleveland announced He was 72 and his death was confirmed by his manager. He played himself on an episode of The Drew Carey Show,whose theme songs was a cover of Cleveland Rocks and was set in the city. Deadline is a part of Penske Media Corporation. Kubu comes back from a police conference in NY, inspired to find the truth, and restore his prodigious appetite. We are sad to announce that on February 24, 2023, at the age of 66, Stanley Michael Black of Etters, Pennsylvania passed away. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Two years later, "My Town" became the bands second Top 40 hit, peaking at No. No, we didn't.". The story felt disjointed and not up to their usual standard. The native of Northeast Ohio led the Michael Stanley Band to fame in the late 1970s and early 1980s before becoming a popular radio and television host. This mystery, #5 in the series featuring Botswana policeman David "Kubu" Bengu, was just plain excellent. WebSTR/AFP via Getty Images. It was a well-plotted police procedural that allowed the reader to fully follow the Botswana crime-solving process, which is similar to that in the US. "We were big in San Francisco, but we didnt do much in LA. You don't do that if you're not successful. Record executives soon changed his name from Michael Gee to Michael Stanley. I like the Detective Kubu books, but in general feel that they go on and on. Stanley was part of what would become known as the genre of "heartland rock," emphasizing the values of blue-collar middle America, along with such artists as Bob Seger and John Cougar Mellencamp. As international thrillers go you'd be hard pushed in my opinion, to find a better series to indulge in. Funeral Home Services for Stanley are being provided by Ertel Funeral Home. Family and friends are welcome to send flowers or leave their condolences on this memorial page and share them with the family. I was familiar with Botswana through another series which I feel served to train me to appreciate Michael Stanley's series all that much more. The author Michael Stanley (South African born writing duo Michael Sears and Stanley Trollip) have created a top notch and totally compelling Botswana police series, that is both atmospheric, gripping and utterly loveable. Stanley will be buried in a private ceremony at Lake View Cemetery. Michael Stanley was born on 25 March 1948 (age 72 years; as in 2021 at the time of death) in Cleveland, Ohio, United States. He was graduated from Hiram College. His fathers name was F. Stanley Gee and his mothers name is Martha Galloway Gee. Michael Stanley was one of the most famous American singers, songwriters, and musicians. Details! The energy of his music and its ability to bring people together helped to make Cleveland the Rock and Roll Capitol of the World, and it galvanized the community to rally together and make our city the home of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. When the #2 government mining official ends up dead, an apparent suicide, Kubu finally finds a distraction from his misery, and quickly determines the death was not accidental, and he sets off the find the murderer. Michael has always been a master at the craft of songwriting. The rocker was most recognized in the post-Michael Stanley Band years as a local TV and radio broadcaster. Will he compromise the case, should the culprit be apprehended? Meanwhile, there is trouble in a mining town as the elders consider whether to allow expansion and relocation of residents, which went badly the last time, antagonizing the young and unemployed. He was at the station for more than 30 years, ending his stint just last month when ill health overtook him. We had two top 40 hits. I really, REALLY hope this is not the last in the Detective Kubu series! "And if that's true (and I definitely think it is) then I have been happily out of work for over fifty years!". As an early reviewer I had the pleasure of reading my first Detective Kubu Mystery. Thats what I wanted to do.. We will miss Michael dearly.. Hardly a day went by when John didn't play a Michael Stanley song - or two, or three. "There's no easy way to say this, Kubu. Szymczyk told Cleveland.com that although Stanley was in declining health as they cut the Tough Room album last year, Its pretty rocked out. Thank you to Orenda books for providing me with a copy of this book for review. Thats the kind of impact they had.. This is not a terribly bleak depiction of this sunny land, but a reminder that even a country full of good people can fall prey to bad influences. Michael Stanley's health is keeping him off-air for the time being. Michael Stanley, who parlayed rocker stardom in the 70s and 80s into successful stints in radio and television in his later years, died Friday of lung cancer at his There is a mine in the area that wants to expand and it would displace a lot of local villagers and the villagers are split whether to let the mine expand or not. What follows is a very frustrating time for Kubu as his irascible boss Mabaku bars him from any participation in the investigation because of Kubu's obvious closeness to the victim. In a letter posted Saturday on the radio stations website, Stanley wrote a farewell to fans: Hey gang Well, if youre reading this then I am off to catch up with that big club tour in the sky. I'm generally not a fan of authors killing of family members of the protagonist. A good mystery set in Botswana. Born Michael Stanley Gee, he grew up in Northeast Ohio, graduating Hiram College, then later attended on a baseball scholarship. "We toured seven or eight months out of the year for 13 years. "I didnt get into this whole thing to be the front man of MSB or whatever," Stanley told 3News' Monica Robins in 2014. I mean you felt like you were a part of that album even though you werent.. John called the Michael Stanley song Midwest, Midnight the greatest song about the music industry. He says the song explains why the Michael Stanley Band was a major regional band, but never huge nationally. I'm afraid he's been murdered.". 07, 2021, 12:57 p.m. Cleveland music icon Michael Stanley died Friday at the age of 72. a music critic and author who was raised in The obituary was 39. Kubu is told to stay off the case and focus on the murder-made-to-look-like- suicide of a civil servant in the mining department. Example video title will go here for this video. Stanley, who passed away Friday at the age of 72 from lung cancer, leaves more than a small part of himself behind in his native Cleveland -- and a gaping hole in a Michael lives in Johannesburg, South Africa, and Stanley in Minneapolis. The band would break up in 1987, playing a dozen farewell shows at the Front Row Theater. The Michael Stanley Band, or MSB for short, would record 11 studio albums and set concert attendance records in Ohio. His songs have a way of getting in your head and became songs you end up singing to yourself over and over from then on His music will always be part of me., Tweeted KISS Paul Stanley: RIP MICHAEL STANLEY No relation to me, was a Cleveland legend. 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The MSB had its biggest national profile in 1980 when the single He Cant Love You reached No. Morgan Stanley chief U.S. equity strategist Mike Wilson recently compared U.S. stock valuations to the "death zone" sometimes encountered by mountain climbers. In 1990, he became the afternoon drive host at 98.5 WNCX, a position he would hold for the next 31 years. Born Michael Stanley Gee, Stanley grew up in Northeast Ohio, graduating first from Rocky River High School and then Hiram College. (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.) CLEVELAND Legendary Cleveland singer-songwriter and radio personality Michael Stanley died Friday at the age of 72, following a months-long fight with lung "I got in it to be a songwriter. WNCX says he will be laid to rest at Lake View Cemetery in a private I was always drawn to the rousers and this one has more rousers than weepies.. PITTSBURGH (KDKA) -- If you grew up in the Rust Belt in the 1970's and 1980's, chances are you heard Michael Stanley on your radio at some point. You can watch in the player below: Michael Stanley is survived by his wife Ilsa, his two daughters, and five grandchildren. An amazing book from Michael and Stanley, amazing for its contradictions and irony. The Rocky River High School and Hiram His letter to his fans before his death says it all. Michael Christensen died Tuesday, Feb. 28, 2023, at Faith Regional Health Services in Norfolk. Did we reach the level that we wanted to, or that the fans wanted us to? In 1974, Stanley formed the band that took his name. Following his stint on TV, he became an afternoon radio DJ from 1990 through February 2021, alongside occasional albums and local shows. He is predeceased by his mother, Martha Fitzpatrick; his father, Stanley Gee; and his late wife, Denise Skinner. So that tells you something.. The family requests contributions in his memory to the Cleveland Food Bank (www.greaterclevelandfoodbank.org) and/or the Cleveland Animal Protective League (www.clevelandapl.org). Stanleys illness became known when he took leave of his usual afternoon radio shift at Clevelands 98.5 WNCX in late February and the station released a statement requesting prayers for his family. Get help and learn more about the design. "A Death in the Family" is the fifth in the Detective Kubu series set in Botswana, South Africa and my third foray into these exciting and hugely entertaining stories. Pictured was a head and shoulders shot of Michael Stanley singing into a microphone. We want to hear from you! Michael was our citys most beloved musician, songwriter and rocker. WebA Death in the Family is the fifth outing for Detective Kubu and is written by Michael Sears and Stanley Trollip (known together as Michael Stanley). Monthly Listeners! 2023 Deadline Hollywood, LLC. Stanley age of Saginaw, Michigan, born February 3rd, 1928 passed away on February 23rd, 2023 ;Surviving Stanley:Surviving besides his wife Bernice are two sons So, I hear Michael Stanley almost every daywalking in the woods.. Your father's dead. The Michael Stanley Band broke up in 1986, after having gone 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.) My sincere condolences go out to the Stanley family on the passing of Michael. Survivors include daughters Anna Sary (Christian) and Sarah Sharp (Aaron); his sister, Nancy Oosterhoudt and niece Claire Kloss; his wife, Ilsa Glanzberg and stepson Cole Sweeney; and his five grandchildren Mallory Sidoti (Mike), Aidan Kraus, Brody Kraus, Wren Sary and Phoebe Sary. Stanley was enough a part of Cleveland iconography that he appeared as himself on The Drew Carey Show, set in that city. Peace., Joe Walsh, another Cleveland rock hero and a player on Stanleys second album in the 1970s paid homage. At the start, his father is killed by a lethal knife wound, and Kubu is told by his boss to take a week off and stay away completely from the investigation. But that was hardly the extent of his TV credits. All the characters are well etched. ", RELATED: Fans share favorite memories of Michael Stanley. It's been a while since I read one of these, but I'd forgotten the stark contrast between this depiction of Botswana, as a nation as flawed as most others, and that if Alexander McCall Smith, whose Botswana is idyllic, full of polite, respectful people who might succumb to greed, bad judgment, or witchcraft from time to time, but not much worse than that. Catch up on last 4 shows: Tour of Australia, Japan, Jamaica, Spain & France; Co-Host Juice Newton; Heartbreak Hotel and Songwriter Paul Williams! This site is protected by reCAPTCHA Enterprise and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. 33 on the chart. John himself was behind the microphone in the 1970s and 80s as the afternoon drive disc jockey on then-radio station WSRD, nicknamed The Wizzard.. CLEVELAND If you grew up in Northeast Ohio in the 1970s and '80s, chances are, Michael Stanley and his band, the Michael Stanley Band, wrote the soundtrack to your formative years. Although he went to Hiram on a baseball scholarship, Stanley quickly found his calling in music. After the breakup, Stanley returned to solo albums and also hooked up with the bands the Resonators and the Ghost Poets, releasing work on Razor & Tie or his own labels. Another excellent addition to the Detective David "Kubu" Bengu series. As fans we adored and revered him, and in return he loved us right back. John mentioned that the Michael Stanley Band broke the record at the Blossom Music Center for a three nightstand: 64,965 on August 23, 24, and 26, 1982. Kubu is such a lovely character. Despite this only being my second read in this exceptional series, set in modern day Botswana, the writing duo of Michael Stanley (Michael Sears and Stanley Trollip) have already established a firm place on my 'must read' list. Somebody once said that if you love your job then its not really work. He played in a band that was first called The Tree Stumps, then Silk, and was able to secure his first record contract in 1969. 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 more robust, arena-friendly anthems that the group came to be known for. Michael Stanley, who became known nationally for a radio hit in 1981 but was the very symbol of rock n roll for decades in the city of Cleveland, died Friday at age 72. Most of the early records by Stanley and his group were produced by Bill Szymczyk, best known as the Eagles producer. Michael Stanley is survived by his wife Ilsa, his two daughters, and five grandchildren. 1998 - 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. | All Rights Reserved. WebThe obituary was featured in The Journal on February 28, 2023. He also spent a year on the same stations Cleveland Tonight, with his television years garnering him 11 local Emmys. We are sad to announce that on February 24, 2023, at the age of 66, Stanley Michael Black of Etters, Pennsylvania passed away. Marcia L. Stanley died Saturday, Feb. 18, 2023, at Heritage of Bel In 1974, Stanley put together the band that would take his name and catapult him to success. The Daily News publishes death notices and obituaries on a daily basis for Norfolkans, area residents and former residents. Kubu's father is killed and he is told he can't participate in the investigation. I got in it to be a songwriter. The group scored in 1981 when the song He Cant Love You cracked the Billboard Top 40, getting as high as No. "We couldnt get arrested in Columbus," Stanley told Cleveland Magazine in a 2019 interview. If not, choose an option to start listening on demand commercial free to all shows now! Subscribe to Deadline Breaking News Alerts and keep your inbox happy. Michael Stanley.. For 12 years, Thomas John introduced the bands at the Agora in downtown Youngstown, for which he was paid. ", "Somebody once said that if you love your job then it's not really work," he said. We will miss Michael dearly. The Michael Stanley Band broke up in 1986, after having gone through a succession of major labels that included Epic, Arista and EMI America. Kilgroe Funeral Home We regretfully announce the passing of Michael E. Stanley, age 64, of Moody, Alabama passed away on Monday, October 31, 2022. So,they didnt give him any support. And I went back., John said. But before and after that, the band was disproportionately huge in Ohio and surrounding states, which took their song Midwest Midnight (introduced on the live album Stage Pass, with its famous cleavage-baring cover) to heart as a statement of regional pride. Solid Gold Members get 5 years of shows, classic programs & themed box sets, plus weekly show download! A bright light & warm soul. WNCX says he will be laid to rest at Lake View Cemetery in a private ceremony, and the family asks that donations be made to the Greater Cleveland Food Bank and Cleveland Animal Protective League in his memory. Michael Stanley's passing at the age of 64 on Thursday, June 30, 2022 has been publicly announced by Jones-Walton-Sheridan Funeral Home in Cranston, RI. Stanley told Monica Robins. One evening Kuku's world is turned upside down when he, the detective, gets the call he himself so often had to make to the family of victims his gentle father has been stabbed to death in a deserted road. I have a little MP3 player, he said. But only once, after a Michael Stanley concert, did he forget to get his check. YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (WKBN) Before the Zoom interview even started, Thomas John turned his phone around to show a large photo hanging on the wall of his basement office. By subscribing, I agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. Two years later, My Town became the bands second Top 40 hit, peaking at No. They never got the push from the record company that they should have.. Copyright 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. Hes remembered by Holly Gleason. And the record they broke was Led Zepplins, said John. Michael Stanley's passing at the age of 30 on Thursday, August 11, 2022 has been publicly announced by Sien-Shelton Funeral Home in Skiatook, OK. Hook is an essential for any good novelhow it start and keeps a leader keep on reading it. His heartland music resonated with legions of listeners, and his concerts set attendance records and took on mythic proportions. According to author Jacob Hoye in his book, "MTV Uncensored," "He Cant Love You" was the 47th video ever played on MTV. This is the 5th novel in Michael Stanley's Detective Kubu series set in Botswana, one of Sub-Saharan Africa's most promising nations. Michael Stanley, who became known nationally for a radio hit in 1981 but was the very symbol of rock n roll for decades in the city of Cleveland, died Friday at age 72. The beloved musician-turned-DJ had been battling a serious illness for some time, and his former manager and best friend David Spero confirms to 3News the local entertainment legend passed away in his sleep Friday night at the age of 72. Michael was born November 14, 1962 in Charleston South Carolina. Detective novel set in Botswana but for Kudu, this time it's personal! Michael Stanley is the writing partnership of Michael Sears and Stanley Trollip. Sure it would have been nice if this had all lasted a bit longer but my time on this mortal coil has been blessed with great family, friends and coworkers and you cant ask for much more than that! Take care of yourself and each other and remember, now more than ever: Its your world pay attention! Stanley age of Saginaw, Michigan, born February 3rd, 1928 passed away on February 23rd, 2023 ;Surviving Stanley:Surviving besides his wife Bernice are two sons and one daughter, Gary Witkowski, Saginaw; Gail (John) Dumbra, Lewiston; Michael Witkowski, Saginaw; six grandchildren, Kirk, Jeffrey (Lauren), Brandon (Crystal), Jeremy, Justin and "Michael Stanley is dealing with serious health issues that prevent him from joining you in his 3-7pm time slot. A Death in the Family follows on from Deadly Harvest, that I read not so long ago. They were a band and they got signed and everything was great, said John. That's what I wanted to do. You are a rocker! Michael Stanley, who became known nationally for a radio hit in 1981 but was the very symbol of rock n roll for decades in the city of Cleveland, died Friday at age 72. While it was quite an involved mystery and the characters were interesting, I had expected a different approach to crime solving more in touch with the community and more charismatic detective. Get our latest storiesin the feed of your favorite networks. Rachel (not currently receiving notifications) Hall, Visit The Discerning Reader for more reviews & giveaways. Send us a tip using our annonymous form. His record company changed his name to Michael Stanley. I received an advance e-book copy of A Death in the Family by Michael Stanley directly from the author in exchange for an honest review. Superintendent David Kubu Bengu when his own father is murdered. Singer-songwriter Michael Stanley died this week of lung cancer at age 72. Cleveland rocker Stanley has died at age 72 after battling lung cancer. Stanley's family says in a statement he died Thursday, March 4, 2021, in Cleveland, where he performed regularly and worked at rock radio station WNCX. (CHUCK CROW/AP) The timing was awful because Stanleys wife, Libby, had recently given birth to twin daughters, Sarah and Anna. But Stanley, a guitarist and songwriter, still dreamed of a career in music. I probably will try another of these books at some time but better ones are calling me now. US stocks have surged too high and are now in a "death zone", Morgan Stanley's Mike Wilson said. I was literally stunned, said John, upon learning that legendary Cleveland rock and roll star Michael Stanley died Friday of lung cancer. Flood Warning issued for parts of several Northeast Ohio counties, The beloved musician-turned-DJ had been battling a serious illness, Fans share favorite memories of Michael Stanley, Stanley told Cleveland Magazine in a 2019 interview, 2022 shaping up to be 'epic' year in concerts, Cleveland Cavaliers CEO Len Komoroski says, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame's 2021 induction ceremony moves to Cleveland's Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse this October, Michael Stanley joins Contemporary Youth Orchestra to create Another New Years Eve fundraising video. For the last three decades, Clevelanders were also lucky enough to have had Michael take us through afternoon drive time, playing classic rock songs on 98.5 WNCX. El, 5150 Calkins Rd, Flint. Michael was the king of Cleveland, and of course the Michael Stanley Band became a Midwest powerhouse, Walsh said in a statement published at Cleveland.com. Get Superstar Spotlights on Linda Ronstadt, Neil Diamond, Barry Manilow, Rod Stewart, Stevie Wonder, Diana Ross, Ringo Starr, Tina Turner, Dionne Warwick, Chicago, Barbra Streisand, Olivia Newton-John, Eurythmics, Dolly Parton, Carly Simon & Duran Duran! All Rights Reserved. Even more importantly, Michaels songs spoke to our hearts., As fans we adored and revered him, and in return he loved us right back, Harris continued. 39. I didnt get into this whole thing to be the front man of MSB or whatever, Stanley told local Ohio TV station 3News Monica Robins in 2014. A musician & songwriter who could pack arenas. Stanley did his final afternoon drive shift on WNCX on Feb. 19. MICHAEL STANLEY OBITUARY. John was close personal friends with Stanley and the other band members, three of whom Gary Markasky, Michael Gismondi and Dan Pecchio were from Youngstown. On the one hand I understand Mabaku's wanting to make it a clean break, but I felt he could have nuanced it somewhat.