Michael Stanley, Cleveland's hometown rock hero, dies at 72

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 cause of death was lung cancer that had been diagnosed seven months earlier.

Stanley’s illness became known when he took leave of his usual afternoon radio shift at Cleveland’s 98.5 WNCX in late February and the station released a statement requesting prayers for his family.

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.

The MSB had its biggest national profile in 1980 when the single “He Can’t Love You” reached No. 33 on the Billboard 100.

That song and a 1983 follow-up, the Cleveland-inspired “My Town,” which also cracked the top 40, were early staples of a nascent MTV.

At: https://www.chicagotribune.com/entertainment/music/ct-ent-michael-stanley-clevelend-dead-20210306-dhiecgn4nvgsrldlhvuzjgm6c4-story.html

Cleveland rock singer/songwriter Michael Stanley, 1948-2021.