Michael Stanley Band

Origin: Cleveland, Ohio (USA)

MICHAEL STANLEY BAND

Rick Bell - Michael Gismondi - Bob Pelander - Michael Stanley - Tommy Dobeck - Kevin Raleigh - Danny Powers

Discography:

MSB - 1982 (with lyrics)

You can't fight fashion - 1983 (with lyrics)

Notes: 

- The Michael Stanley Band -- the pride of Cleveland, OH -- released its final major-label album, You Can't Fight Fashion, in 1983. It's a shame this EMI America release was MSB's national swan song after nearly a decade of being on the verge of deserved widespread success. Once again, MSB was joined by a high-profile co-producer, and this time it was Bob Clearmountain. MSB's second and final Top 40 single, the singalong anthem rocker "My Town," is the most notable of several You Can't Fight Fashion highlights. (In the Razor & Tie CD reissue liner notes, vocalist/guitarist Stanley recalls how approximately 100 city-specific edits of "My Town" were made.) The album is a straightforward rock & roll platter as MSB surprisingly eschews ballads this time around. Lead guitarist Danny Powers joined for the album, just as the sun was beginning to set on MSB. Vocalist/keyboardist Kevin Raleigh's superbly catchy pop/rock number "Someone Like You" (Stanley's all-time favorite Raleigh song) actually charted on the low end of Billboard's Hot 100 singles chart. Stanley's excellent "Hard Time" is enhanced by subtle touches of early-'80s keyboard sounds. Tenor saxophonist Rick Bell is featured prominently on You Can't Fight Fashion, especially on "Highlife." "The Damage Is Done" is another pop/rock gem from Raleigh. Stanley's scrappy, aggressive rocker "Fire in the Hole" is a story song about a mining disaster. The 1992 Razor & Tie CD reissue includes "My Town (Live)" and "Someone Like You (Live)," which were both recorded at Blossom Music Center near Cleveland in August 1984; the songs were originally found on The Michael Stanley Band's rare, independently released live album Fourth and Ten. -

(Notes by Bret Adams: http://www.allmusic.com/album/you-cant-fight-fashion-mw0000092421)

- Just before the recording of this album began lead guitarist, Gary Markasky left the band and was replaced by Danny Powers, who only had a few of weeks to get "up to speed" on the material, but one listen to this album will reveal he was more than up to the task. Tunes like "Fire In The Hole" and "How Can You Call This Love" showcase the considerable talents of Mr. Powers.

“The Damage Is Done" and "Someone Like You" are fine contributions by Kevin Raleigh, and the team of Stanley/Pelander is represented by "Just Give Me Tonight" and “High Life", both of which feature excellent sax from Rick Bell. 

The star of the album though, is "My Town", Stanley's hometown anthem, which gave birth to more than 100 city specific versions. The album was produced by MSB and Bob Clearmountain.

The second half of 1983 would be both a high point and low point for MSB. "My Town" would enter the "Billboard Top 40" and the band made TV appearances on both "Solid Gold" and "American Bandstand" with Dick Clark.

Everything seemed to be going great, until, as their record contract was nearing an end, EMI only offered a six-month extension, instead of a long-term deal with some financial security. When Stanley turned down the extension, hoping for another offer, the record company "called his bluff" and dropped the band immediately, pulling all financial and tour support. The band vowed to carry on, but to make matters worse, after what would be the band's final performance at the Richfield Coliseum on December 27th, 1983, sax player Rick Bell left the band.  -

(Notes by http://michaelstanley.com/THE_80S.html)