FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Joins Citywide Celebration of Michael Stanley Day on March 25

Fans invited to join Michael Stanley’s family, members of The Resonators, Cleveland City Council President Kevin Kelley, and the Rock Hall for special presentation and declaration of Michael Stanley Day

Museum honors Stanley’s legacy sharing his music, performance footage, and artifacts with fans

CLEVELAND (March 22, 2021) – The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame is honoring Michael Stanley, longtime Cleveland rocker, radio, and TV personality on March 25, joining a citywide celebration for Michael Stanley Day.

As part of the celebration, fans are invited to join Michael Stanley’s family and members of The Resonators for a special presentation that includes a Mayor’s proclamation and remarks by Cleveland City Council President Kevin Kelley. The celebration kicks off at 10:15 a.m. on the Rock Hall plaza and will be streamed live on the Rock Hall’s Facebook and YouTube channels.

“The energy of his music and its ability to bring people together helped to make Cleveland the Rock & Roll Capital of the World, and it galvanized the community to rally together and make our city the home of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame,” said Greg Harris, President and CEO, Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. “His contributions to rock & roll and our region will not be forgotten, and we are honored to preserve his legacy and tell his story forever at the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.”

“On behalf of the citizens of the City of Cleveland, I extend my condolences to the family and friends of Mr. Michael Stanley. In celebration of his impact to the world of music near and far,” said Cleveland Mayor Frank G. Jackson. “I am pleased that Cleveland City Council declared March 25 as Michael Stanley Day.”

“Michael Stanley was the first live concert I saw as a young person and he was the last live concert I saw at the Beachland Ballroom when he received the Cleveland Arts Prize in 2019,” said Council President Kevin Kelley, who sponsored the resolution for March 25th Michael Stanley Day. Councilman Kelley also had the corner of Euclid and Huron renamed as “Michael Stanley Way” in 2019. “The Michael Stanley Band was the music of my youth and beyond.”

In special honor of Michael Stanley Day, stations throughout Northeast Ohio are joining forces to celebrate Stanley’s legacy, including his home station of 98.5 WNCX, where he hosted his well-known afternoon show for 30 years.

In solidarity, the stations will commemorate Michael Stanley playing his hit song “My Town” in unison at 10:35 a.m. Longtime fans will recognize the importance of 10:35 from the opening lines of the Michael Stanley Band hit “In the Heartland.”

Throughout the day, Stanley’s iconic music and lyrics will be heard inside the museum and played on the Rock Hall’s Rock Boxes located downtown along East 9th Street.

Artifacts from Stanley’s career that spanned five decades will be on display in the museum’s In Memoriam exhibit, including his Jon Hill custom guitar and new artifacts from Stanley’s collection, including handwritten lyrics and setlists.

Fans can also stop by the Voinovich Atrium to view Michael Stanley footage from the Rock Hall’s vault, featuring memorable moments and interviews from his career.

In addition, the Rock Hall’s Long Live Rock art installation will honor Michael Stanley, providing fans with a perfect photo opportunity to remember his life, his music and his dedication to Cleveland and Northeast Ohio.

The Michael Stanley ceremony and proclamation will take place on the Rock Hall plaza and is free to the public. An admission ticket is required to enter the museum. The Rock Hall is open daily 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. with extended hours on Saturdays. City of Cleveland residents receive free admission yearlong through the CLE VIP program. Advance tickets are required at rockhall.com.

Michael Stanley Day takes place on what would have been the legendary Cleveland musicians 73rd birthday. 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.

To honor the occasion, fans can visit www.linelevelmusic.com starting at 10:35 a.m. the same day 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.

The album was produced by Michael Stanley featuring members of The Resonators and mixed by his longtime friend and executive producer Bill Szymczyk.

About the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Rock Connects Us. Our mission is clear: To engage, teach and inspire through the power of rock & roll. We share stories of the people, events and songs that shape our world through digital content, innovative exhibits, live music, and engaging programs. Join the millions who love it as much as you do. Experience us live or online – Visit rockhall.com or follow the Rock Hall on Facebook (@rockandrollhalloffame), Twitter (@rockhall), Instagram (@rockhall) and YouTube (youtube.com/rockhall). Long Live Rock!

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