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M i c h a e l S t a n l e y
OhioOnline/October 1, 1998
Having just released his eighteenth musical effort, the name Michael Stanley is recognized by many Buckeye state rock fans. Even though they've known each other for close to three decades, Stanley and OhioOnline music correspondent Peanuts recently sat down for a first-ever interview. A Parma Heights native who grew up in Rocky River, Michael Stanley reflected on his early rock roots and made some observations on the recent double disc Live in Tangiers.
OO: What first put you on the musical trail in life?
MS: The glib answer is really the true one: make a little money, have a little fun and meet some girls. It was better than working at McDonald's, Woolworth's or whatever was around at the time.
OO: Who were your influences at that point?
MS: I came of age with rock and roll. I was there when "How Much Is That Doggie In The Window" became "Hound Dog." It was as radical as anything that's happened since. All of a sudden, it was all these guys like Elvis Presley, Buddy Holly, Little Richard, the Everly Brothers, Jerry Lee Lewis. That covered all the bases of what was going on.
OO: And, they all affected your song writing?
MS: When I started writing I was only 16, 17 and was writing middle of the road British Invasion songs. I'm one of those people, and I think there's a lot of closet ones, who never thought pop was a bad word. Back in those days, people forget the Kinks would put out four singles before they put out an album. An album was just something to make a little extra money on. You put out a hit single every two months. That's pressure.
OO: Any area bands add to the influence?
MS: The original version of the Tree Stumps, which evolved out of the Mike Hay combo. These were the guys. They looked good, they played good, they had cool equipment. And the fact is they were people you actually knew and they were up there doing it. It was totally uncharted waters. Not only did you have to learn to play an instrument, but then you had to learn about being in a band, about the eqiupment, everything.
OO: What about the new project, Live In Tangiers? Was it totally recorded at the Akron landmark?
MS: No, some cuts were from there, others were from the opening of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland, a couple more from a Youngstown show. It's so easy with the 24 track process, it's not cost prohibitive.
OO: Is that your all time favorite venue in Ohio?
MS: No, it's the old Cleveland Agora on E. 24th St., now torn down. It was the coolest club, had a great vibe. If you weren't playing, you went down to see who was playing, national or local act, and run into you and every other writer and musician. And it wasn't real cutthroat, it was always, "What are you doing?" and "Well, I'm doing this." Nowadays, I like Nautica in the Cleveland Flats. It's big enough to generate some noise, but it's still small enough to be musical, too.
OO: Speaking of gigs, what's in the future?
MS: Just punch up www.michaelstanley.com for all the latest info.
OO: Have you gotten much feedback on this unplugged release?
MS: To some people, this will be their favorite. To some it will be their least favorite. The next thing will be more what everyone is used to.
OO: Any final observations?
MS: I'm lucky enough to have a base of fans that support what I do. Now I can do the discs I want to do. I didn't think this was going to go on past high school (laughs).
Peanuts is a longtime music critic and writer.
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Ask Michael: MSBB@aol.com General Info: jipsi@yahoo.com