CLEVELAND — Cleveland paid tribute to rock ‘n’ roll legend Michael Stanley as March 25 has officially been declared Michael Stanley Day. It marks what would have been the rocker’s 73rd birthday, which comes less than three weeks after he passed away.
ROCK AND ROLL HALL OF FAME
The Rock Hall in downtown Cleveland hosted fans as they joined with Stanley’s family and band members for a special presentation in the outdoor plaza at 10:15 a.m. Greg Harris, the President and CEO of the Rock Hall, called Stanley "Cleveland's treasure" during Thursday morning's tribute.
Items from Stanley’s collection have also been added to the museum’s “In Memoriam” display, including his Jon Hill custom guitar, handwritten lyrics and setlists.
“You have been the most loyal fans in the world," one of his daughters said while speaking to the Rock Hall crowd. "He truly appreciated you and always enjoyed the personal interactions, whether it was backstage, at a charity event or even at a grocery store.”
We streamed the Rock Hall's event for Michael Stanley Day, which you can watch in full in the player below:
'MY TOWN' TRIBUTE
Radio stations throughout Northeast Ohio shared a special moment at 10:35 a.m. -- including Stanley's home station 98.5 WNCX -- as they played his hit "My Town" simultaneously. The Rock Hall also played the hit song through its speakers all the way up E. 9th Street in downtown Cleveland as fans danced and sang along in the plaza.
“Longtime fans will recognize the importance of 10:35 from the opening lines of the Michael Stanley Band hit 'In the Heartland,'” Rock Hall officials noted.
Fans can also visit www.linelevelmusic.com to stream two new original songs that will be featured on Stanley’s upcoming, posthumous studio album, "Tough Room." The album will feature 14 new tracks that Stanley recorded in the months before his passing earlier this month.
OFFICIAL MICHAEL STANLEY DAY PROCLAMATION
Cleveland Mayor Frank Jackson issued the following proclamation to recognize March 25 as Michael Stanley Day:
Cleveland City Council had also previously declared March 25 as Michael Stanley Day.
RELATED: Cleveland Mayor Frank Jackson issues proclamation recognizing March 25 as Michael Stanley Day
LOOKING BACK: MICHAEL STANLEY’S LEGACY
Info from the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame: The Michael Stanley Band, formed in 1974, broke attendance records multiple times at Blossom Music Center, the Richfield Coliseum, the Front Row Theatre and MGM Northfield Park. Michael Stanley and The Resonators final live performance took place at The Akron Civic Theatre on March 7, 2020 when Michael and The Resonators performed Stage Pass Revisited, a recreation of the landmark album Stage Pass recorded at The Agora in 1977. One of MSB’s greatest achievements was the total attendance record of 74,404 during a four-night stand at Blossom Music Center in 1982.
Editor's note: Video highlighting his career in the player below was originally published March 6, 2021.