MSB: THE MUSIC: Discography

THE MICHAEL STANLEY BAND
The Ghostpoets Michael Stanley (Solo)

Discography: 1975 - 1998
LP covers

1975: You Break It, You Bought It, Epic Records.
The 'band' appears...Jonah Koslen, Daniel Pecchio and Tommy Dobeck join The Michael Stanley Band 'line-up...Produced by Bill Szymczyk.

1976: Ladies' Choice, Epic Records.
The Michael Stanley Band's sophomore release found them packing concert halls...More concert standards were established, notably "Strike Up The Band" and "One Good Reason"...Produced by Bill Szymczyk.

1977: Stage Pass, Epic Records.
Epic wanted a 'double-live' album and they got it...The band's 'third' album, it saluted MSB as a force to be reckoned with, and the sell-out crowds are legendary...Keyboardist Bob Pelander now made the group 'five'..."Midwest Midnight" and "Nothing's Gonna Change My Mind" were crowd 'anthems' by this time...Produced by Bill Szymczyk.

1978: Cabin Fever, Arista Records.
New label, new approach, found MSB recording in Wales and England ...Jonah Koslen departed for a solo career (formed the band "Breathless" soon after, which released two records for EMI-America) and was replaced by new lead guitarist, Gary Markasky...Bob Pelander began sharing songwriting credits with Michael Stanley...Produced by Robert John "Mutt" Lange.

1979: Greatest Hints, Arista Records.
To the City of Angels; recorded in Los Angeles at the famed Golden Sound Studios...Kevin Raleigh arrived as second vocalist/keyboardist, and Michael Gismondi stepped in on bass as Daniel Pecchio left for a career in auto-racing...Produced by Harry Maslin.

1980: Heartland, EMI Records Group.
Dropped by Arista, "Heartland" was recorded independently then picked up by EMI Records...Clarence Clemmons (of Bruce Springsteen's E Street Band fame) provided stellar sax on several cuts, among them the hit, "He Can't Love You" (over a year on Billboard's charts)...Kevin Raleigh added his songwriting talents to those of Stanley and Pelander..."Lover" was recorded as a 'last minute' decision--interestingly enough, it became the superlative anthem/encore of MSB concerts...Produced by The Michael Stanley Band for MSG Productions.

1981: Northcoast, EMI Records Group.
Recorded at Cleveland's Suma Recordings, this release marked the addition of horn player, Rick Bell...Produced by The Michael Stanley Band and Eddie Kramer for MSG Productions/Remarkable Productions.

1982: MSB, EMI Records Group.
Third album for EMI-America...Gary Markasky departs afterwards...Produced by The Michael Stanley Band and Don Gehman for MSG Productions/DLG Inc.

1983: You Can't Fight Fashion, EMI Records Group.
The fourth, and final, release from EMI-America, this album produced another popular single, "My Town" (nearly 100 city-specific versions exist, it is told)...A new member, Danny Powers, took over on lead-guitar...Produced by The Michael Stanley Band and Bob Clearmountain.

1984: Inside Moves, MSB Records.
Independently recorded and released, "Inside Moves" featured the band line-up-continued: Michael, Bob Pelander, Kevin Raleigh, Danny Powers, Michael Gismondi and Tommy Dobeck...Produced by The Michael Stanley Band for MSG Productions, Inc....EDITOR'S NOTE: One of the more 'humorous' MSB jackets (Excuse the pun) ever...

1984: Fourth & Ten, MSB Records.
Another independent release, this time recorded live at Blossom Music Center August 15 and 16, 1984, where they proved--yet again--they were a band that could break records as well as make them...

1992: Right Back At Ya (1971-1983), Razor & Tie Entertainment.
A compilation/retrospective release...followed shortly thereafter by Razor & Tie re-issues of the MSB 'catalog'...

1997: Misery Loves Company: More of the Best 1975 -1984, Razor & Tie Entertainment.
The newest compilation/retrospective release, featuring "Spanish Nights", "Take The Time" and 16 others, released January, 1997, in packaging that includes rare photos and liner notes...

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THE GHOST POETS

.....1994: The Ghost Poets, Razor & Tie Entertainment.
Michael Stanley, Jonah Koslen and Bob Pelander 're-group', and singer Jennifer Lee makes it four, sharing lead vocals with Stanley...Pelander's "Why Should Love Be This Way" makes a new 're-appearance'...The release faced some difficulties in receiving the attention and airplay it deserved, as Michael Stanley was afternoon DJ for Cleveland's Classic Rock Station,WNCX, at the time; the resulting 'radio blackout' by rival stations didn't help matters, but certainly didn't diminish Michael Stanley's loyally supportive and enthusiastic fans...Cleveland is 'his town', after all...
Produced by Jonah Koslen; co-produced by Michael Stanley & Bob Pelander; mixed by Bill Szymczyk...

MICHAEL STANLEY...Then...

.....1973: Michael Stanley, Tumbleweed Records.
This debut included "Rosewood Bitters", which was to become a concert mainstay...A prime cast of contributing musicians: Joe Walsh, Joe Vitale, Rick Derringer, Todd Rundgren--to name a few...Produced and engineered by Bill Szymczyk.

.....1973: Friends & Legends,MCA Records.
A fast followup, producing yet another concert favorite "Let's Get The Show On The Road"...Joe Walsh and Joe Vitale returned to help out in the studio, as did Paul Harris, Kenny Passarelli, Dave Sanborn, Richie Furay, Dan Fogelberg--to name a few again...Produced by Bill Szymczyk.

MICHAEL STANLEY...Now...

.....1996: Coming Up For Air, Intersound Music.
Third 'solo outing' for Michael Stanley, an introspective, emotional release that lyrically and musically relates his intense personal experience regarding a recent heart attack...Bob Pelander, Tommy Dobeck, Danny Powers and Michael Gismondi return to the studio to lend their talents on this 'enhanced CD', an exciting and interactive package that offers a video clip scrapbook as well as the MUSIC...Co-produced by Michael Stanley & Bob Pelander.

.....1998: Live in Tangiers: The Acoustic Shows
Razor & Tie Entertainment.
Recorded mainly from Tangiers (Akron, Ohio) shows in March, 1997, this 'double-live' CD set also includes selections from Michael Stanley's concerts at the Rock Hall of Fame, Sandusky, Youngstown, The Odeon (Cleveland), and St. Louis. Thirty tracks showcase the gentler, acoustic side of Michael Stanley, as well as reflecting the popularity of several concert MSB-mainstays performed as 'unplugged' versions (ie: I'll Never Need Anyone More, Somewhere In The Night, My Town, etc.)... Supporting talent provided by longtime bandmates/friends: Bob Pelander, Jennifer Lee, Marc Lee Shannon, Ed Caner, Rodney Psyka, Eroc Sosinski, Tommy Dobeck, percussion...
Co-produced by Michael Stanley and Bob Pelander for MSG Productions, Inc.

For more on Michael Stanley & his current work, go to http://www.michaelstanley.com

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NOTE: An extensive list of the Michael Stanley (solo and pre-1976 releases, and current) & The Michael Stanley Band (from 1976 to 1989) & Ghost Poets titles are also available now on CD & cassette through CD Now!

Updated April 10, 2000

Ask Michael: MSBB@aol.com Info: heartland@iname.com
© 1998-2000, Michael Stanley & MSG Productions.
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