It was a well-plotted police procedural that allowed the reader to fully follow the Botswana crime-solving process, which is similar to that in the US. 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. Did we reach the level that we wanted to, or that the fans wanted us to? "We were big in San Francisco, but we didnt do much in LA. Peace., Joe Walsh, another Cleveland rock hero and a player on Stanleys second album in the 1970s paid homage. Stanley age of Saginaw, Michigan, born February 3rd, 1928 passed away on February 23rd, 2023 ;Surviving Stanley:Surviving besides his wife Bernice are two sons and one daughter, Gary Witkowski, Saginaw; Gail (John) Dumbra, Lewiston; Michael Witkowski, Saginaw; six grandchildren, Kirk, Jeffrey (Lauren), Brandon (Crystal), Jeremy, Justin and Michael Stanley, who parlayed rocker stardom in the 70s and 80s into successful stints in radio and television in his later years, died Friday of lung cancer at his home. Get Superstar Spotlights on Linda Ronstadt, Neil Diamond, Barry Manilow, Rod Stewart, Stevie Wonder, Diana Ross, Ringo Starr, Tina Turner, Dionne Warwick, Chicago, Barbra Streisand, Olivia Newton-John, Eurythmics, Dolly Parton, Carly Simon & Duran Duran! 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. Especially when no progress seems likely as the case progresses. He will always be remembered as a loving father, brother, husband, a loyal friend, and the leader of one of Clevelands most successful rock bands.. I received an advance e-book copy of A Death in the Family by Michael Stanley directly from the author in exchange for an honest review. Michael was preceded in death by his parents, Edward and Doris Stanley. And if thats true (and I definitely think it is) then I have been happily out of work for over 50 years! Kilgroe Funeral Home We regretfully announce the passing of Michael E. Stanley, age 64, of Moody, Alabama passed away on Monday, October 31, 2022. We are sad to announce that on February 24, 2023, at the age of 66, Stanley Michael Black of Etters, Pennsylvania passed away. Stanley, who passed away Friday at the age of 72 from lung cancer, leaves more than a small part of himself behind in his native Cleveland -- and a gaping hole in a I hoped to enjoy this because of the setting of Botswana. The cause of death was lung cancer that had been diagnosed seven months earlier. Visitation will be held on Thursday, March 16th 2023 from 10:00 AM to 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. I was familiar with Botswana through another series which I feel served to train me to appreciate Michael Stanley's series all that much more. The chief is murdered and some elders. As international thrillers go you'd be hard pushed in my opinion, to find a better series to indulge in. Greg Harris, president/CEO of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, released a statement saying: It is with a heavy heart that we share that Clevelands native son and local treasure Michael Stanley has passed away. The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, based in Cleveland, issued a statement Saturday, remembering Stanley as our citys most beloved musician, songwriter and rocker., His heartland music resonated with legions of listeners, and his concerts set attendance records and took on mythic proportions. Stanleys illness became known when he took leave of his usual afternoon radio shift at Clevelands 98.5 WNCX in late February and the station released a statement requesting prayers for his family. Hardly a day went by when John didn't play a Michael Stanley song - or two, or three. What follows is a very frustrating time for Kubu as his irascible boss Mabaku bars him from any participation in the investigation because of Kubu's obvious closeness to the victim. The 73-year-old rocker - who got sober almost four decades ago - has recalled how he was unable to identify himself from his stage persona, who is famous for wearing signature black eye make-up and parading on stage with snakes around his neck, during his []. All the characters are well etched. Michael has always been a master at the craft of songwriting. John himself was behind the microphone in the 1970s and 80s as the afternoon drive disc jockey on then-radio station WSRD, nicknamed The Wizzard.. Szymczyk told Cleveland.com that although Stanley was in declining health as they cut the Tough Room album last year, Its pretty rocked out. ", "Somebody once said that if you love your job then it's not really work," he said. All the way through the entire career, I could never get him a monster hit record that always pissed me off, Szymczyk told the Plain Dealer. This one is a very heart-rending and personal story for Assistant Superintendent David "Kubu" Bengu, who works in CID out of Gabarone, Botswana, in which he is awakened in the middle of the night to be told that his father has died--and worse, has been brutally murdered. WNCX says he will be laid to rest at Lake View Cemetery in a private ceremony, and the family asks that donations be made to the Greater Cleveland Food Bank and Cleveland Animal Protective League in his memory. He was 72 and his death was confirmed by his manager. Michael graduated from Plano Senior High School, and went on to earn his Bachelor's of Business Administration and Finance from Texas Tech University in 2004. Meanwhile, there is trouble in a mining town as the elders consider whether to allow expansion and relocation of residents, which went badly the last time, antagonizing the young and unemployed. "Michael Stanley is dealing with serious health issues that prevent him from joining you in his 3-7pm time slot. I like the Detective Kubu books, but in general feel that they go on and on. Plus hear The Lost 45 of the Day! John himself was behind You don't do that if you're not successful. John was close personal friends with Stanley and the other band members, three of whom Gary Markasky, Michael Gismondi and Dan Pecchio were from Youngstown. I've read and enjoyed the other books with Detective Kubu. The family requests contributions in his memory to the Cleveland Food Bank (www.greaterclevelandfoodbank.org) and/or the Cleveland Animal Protective League (www.clevelandapl.org). The cause of death was lung cancer that had been diagnosed seven months earlier. We had two top 40 hits. Services will be held 11:00 AM Monday, December 17, 2012 at Temple Beth. Rachel (not currently receiving notifications) Hall, Visit The Discerning Reader for more reviews & giveaways. As an early reviewer I had the pleasure of reading my first Detective Kubu Mystery. Add a Memory Send a note, share a story or upload a photo. Stanleys rock career was solid in Ohio and the Midwest, but never quite broke through nationally, save for his hit song He Cant Love You. He later was an afternoon drive DJ and Saturday mornings host playing classic rock on radio station 98.5 WNCX. Stanley will be buried in a private ceremony at Lake View Cemetery. But that was hardly the extent of his TV credits. The different strands of the same story come together at the end. PITTSBURGH (KDKA) -- If you grew up in the Rust Belt in the 1970's and 1980's, chances are you heard Michael Stanley on your radio at some point. Marcia L. Stanley died Saturday, Feb. 18, 2023, at Heritage of Bel WNCX later wrote that Stanley had been battling lung cancer for the past seven months "with the same strength and dignity he carried throughout his life.". The obituary was A musician & songwriter who could pack arenas. One evening Kuku's world is turned upside down when he, the detective, gets the call he himself so often had to make to the family of victims his gentle father has been stabbed to death in a deserted road. The band would break up in 1987, playing a dozen farewell shows at the Front Row Theater. He thanked his family, friends, co-workers, and supporters "for being a part of my musical journey" and ended with his famous catchphrase: "It's your worldpay attention! 1998 - 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. | All Rights Reserved. WNCX says he will be laid to rest at Lake View Cemetery in a private Two years later, My Town became the bands second Top 40 hit, peaking at No. This time, tragedy strikes Asst. The author Michael Stanley (South African born writing duo Michael Sears and Stanley Trollip) have created a top notch and totally compelling Botswana police series, that is both atmospheric, gripping and utterly loveable. Thank you to Orenda books for providing me with a copy of this book for review. This is the 5th novel in Michael Stanley's Detective Kubu series set in Botswana, one of Sub-Saharan Africa's most promising nations. Already a member, log in! It was really a lot of us against the world kind of feeling, he said. Solid Gold Members get 5 years of shows, classic programs & themed box sets, plus weekly show download! A bright light & warm soul. Choose from our database of on demand commercial free programs from the past 5 years, classic programs & themed box sets at your convenience! "I got in it to be a songwriter. But as popular as MSB was locally, they just couldnt quite ascend to national stardom. Michael Craig Stanley, age 59, of Gladewater, Texas passed away on Friday, July 29, 2022. When his father is stabbed to death, Kubu cannot stay away from the investigation, with his ego trumping common sense. (As a solo artist, Stanley recorded for MCA and Tumbleweed, and his first band, Silk, released an album for ABC in 1969, also produced by Szymczyk.) Michael was our citys most beloved musician, songwriter and rocker. I'm afraid he's been murdered.". The star of this series is the endearing and passionate Assistant Superintendent David 'Kubu' Bengu, a man with a remarkably big appetite for food, opera music, his family and ensuring that justice is served. But only once, after a Michael Stanley concert, did he forget to get his check. He will have a posthumous album, Tough Room, out later this year. 39. An amazing book from Michael and Stanley, amazing for its contradictions and irony. It has been important to him to be on air up until recently, because you, his fans, mean that much to him., Stanley left an unreleased album in the can which brought producer Szymczyk back into the fold, more than 50 years after he produced the 1969 album by Silk, followed by a healthy run of records for Stanley and the MSB in the 70s. At the start, his father is killed by a lethal knife wound, and Kubu is told by his boss to take a week off and stay away completely from the investigation. Johns ultimate tribute to Michael Stanley can be heard through his earphones during his daily walks in Poland Woods. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA Enterprise and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. MICHAEL STANLEY OBITUARY. WebA Death in the Family is the fifth outing for Detective Kubu and is written by Michael Sears and Stanley Trollip (known together as Michael Stanley). This latest Detective Kubu Mystery is a gem, although the Botswana assistant superintendent of its CID is one frustrated detective throughout most of the novel. In 1974, Stanley put together the band that would take his name and catapult him to success. "My biggest regret is that, for a lot of people, there was a feeling that it wasnt a successful band or that we were only a Cleveland band." Share Obituary Let others know about We were big in Denver, we were big in Texas and Florida, but we couldnt get into Indianapolis.". The MSB had its biggest national profile in 1980 when the single He Cant Love You reached No. This one felt flat. As fans we adored and revered him, and in return he loved us right back. Cleveland rock and roll legend Michael Stanley died Friday at the age of 72 following a months-long battle with lung cancer. Details! In 1974, Stanley formed the band that took his name. Somebody once said that if you love your job then its not really work. Copyright 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. Even thought this is the fifth book in the series, I do think the books work quite well as stand alone novels. In a letter posted Saturday on the radio stations website, Stanley wrote a farewell to fans: Hey gang Well, if youre reading this then I am off to catch up with that big club tour in the sky. Listen online, phone or pad! Stanley age of Saginaw, Michigan, born February 3rd, 1928 passed away on February 23rd, 2023 ;Surviving Stanley:Surviving besides his wife Bernice are two sons FORECAST | Windy start to the weekendflurries too! I probably will try another of these books at some time but better ones are calling me now. Get help and learn more about the design. I was like, Damn, Bob (Seger) sure busted out. The Michael Stanley Band, or MSB for short, would record 11 studio albums and set concert attendance records in Ohio. Source: music-news.com Alice Cooper didn't know if he should leave the house with his make-up on at the height of his drink and drug addiction. Michael Stanley's passing at the age of 30 on Thursday, August 11, 2022 has been publicly announced by Sien-Shelton Funeral Home in Skiatook, OK. Thats the kind of impact they had.. I didnt get into this whole thing to be the front man of MSB or whatever, Stanley told local Ohio TV station 3News Monica Robins in 2014. So that tells you something.. Sure it would have been nice if this had all lasted a bit longer but my time on this mortal coil has been blessed with great family, friends and coworkers and you cant ask for much more than that! Take care of yourself and each other and remember, now more than ever: Its your world pay attention! CLEVELAND If you grew up in Northeast Ohio in the 1970s and '80s, chances are, Michael Stanley and his band, the Michael Stanley Band, wrote the soundtrack to your formative years. I was always drawn to the rousers and this one has more rousers than weepies.. No, we didn't.". WebSTR/AFP via Getty Images. John mentioned that the Michael Stanley Band broke the record at the Blossom Music Center for a three nightstand: 64,965 on August 23, 24, and 26, 1982. Kubu's father is killed and he is told he can't participate in the investigation. 33 on the Billboard 100. While it was quite an involved mystery and the characters were interesting, I had expected a different approach to crime solving more in touch with the community and more charismatic detective. 33 on the chart. He does and keeps getting reprimanded. You can watch in the player below: Michael Stanley is survived by his wife Ilsa, his two daughters, and five grandchildren. Michael Stanley is the writing partnership of Michael Sears and Stanley Trollip. Example video title will go here for this video. How come we cant get Michael, too. He was huge in the Midwest Cleveland, Detroit, Pittsburgh. So,they didnt give him any support. Funeral Home Services for Stanley are being provided by Ertel Funeral Home. I always find it mind boggling when more than one person has written a book as to how they can get on and make their ideas work together and yet these two are on their fifth book.