“Thank God For The Man Who Put The White Lines On the Highway”

My Tribute to Cleveland rock n roller Michael Stanley

My weekend was spent out of town talking and dining out, so no news or TV.

It was on the way home when I heard a radio announcer say “celebrating the life and music of Michael Stanley.”

What?! He died?! NO!

The Michael Stanley Band was a local band that had massive regional success and some national success. Their video He Can’t Love You was one of the first videos played on MTV. He had us women swooning over his sexy good looks and voice. Just hearing the first few notes of Lover, is enough to make me weak at the knees. It is so sultry, smoky and sexy. The only other song that makes me feel the same way is If You Know What I Mean by Neil Diamond.

Michael became a DJ for local station WNCX several years after the band’s breakup and was still doing the job he loved until shortly before his passing. His support for Cleveland and all of Northeast Ohio is legendary. My Town is a song about his love for Cleveland.

Below is a link to where Michael performs Lover – well he sings all but one line as right on time and right on key, the audience takes over.

They always did. Not sure how “Thank God for the man who put the white lines on the highway.” became the line audiences sang. I guess it is because if you live in Northeast Ohio (or any where that gets snow) you are thankful for the man who puts down those white lines helping you know the location of the edge of the road.

I hope you will take time and explore Michael Stanley Band, Michael Stanley and the Resonators and Ghost Poets on YouTube. For starters I recommend Let’s Get The Show On The Road and Strike Up the Band both from the iconic Stage Pass album.

While the Michael Stanley Band may never have experienced break out success nationwide at last count my blog posts reach 166 countries. It is the least I can do to say thank you to a man who gave us decades of exceptional music.

Thank you for your part in Cleveland being known as the Rock n Roll Capitol of the world.

Thank you for immortalizing the men who put the white lines on the highway in song.

Thank you for all the love and joy you brought to your family, friends, and fans.

Rest in Paradise Michael.

Here is a link to a local news story that covers Michael’s life.

Hubby was a fan too. Enjoy the concert Joe.

Bio: Michele Kearns is the founder and HUG© (Hope Unites Globally) Award-Winner of JoyReturns. She shares her widowhood adventures hoping to inspire widows to move through grief and rebuild their lives. A graduate of Kent State University with a Bachelor’s degree in communications, she’s currently a virtual logistics contact center representative. She’s also managed call center teams, co-facilitated a grief support group, and helped small businesses with various writing assignments. Michele is a bookworm, and a lover of music, chocolate, red roses, and golden retrievers. She is also the amateur photographer behind the blog OgleOhio.com.