In mid-1970s Cleveland, Michael Stanley formed The Michael Stanley Band, and recorded albums through the late 1970s and early 1980s.

His highest charting singles, with the Michael Stanley Band, were "He Can't Love You" (#33) in 1980 and "My Town" in 1983 (#39), which both got decent nationwide airplay. In fact, "He Can't Love You" was the 45th song ever played on MTV. The Michael Stanley Band was such a huge sensation in its home area that it still holds attendance records at Cleveland's Blossom Music Center.

Stanley's song "Let's Get the Show on the Road" was covered on the 2000 album Live in the Classic City by Widespread Panic. "My Town" was covered by Little Texas on their CD Big Time. "Rosewood Bitters" was covered by Joe Walsh on his 1985 album The Confessor.