Good 2B Alive

Steelheart is an American glam metal band from Norwalk, Connecticut, that formed in 1989. At the time that their debut was recorded, the band's members consisted of vocalist Miljenko Matijevic, lead guitarist Chris Risola, rhythm guitarist Frank DiCostanzo, bassist James Ward and the now deceased drummer John Fowler. The current lineup contains Miljenko Matijevic, Mike Humbert, Joe Pessia and Marten Andersson.

Steelheart's debut album, the self-titled ''Steelheart'' (1990), which was released on May 10, 1990, was certified gold by the RIAA on July 30, 1991, mainly on the strength of the single "I'll Never Let You Go" which reached No. 23 on the ''Billboard'' Hot 100. It was their only major hit in the US, making them a one-hit wonder.

History

Steelheart was initially formed as a band called Red Alert, whose members included James Ward (bass), Chris Risola (lead guitar), Jack Wilkenson (drums) and Miljenko Matijevic ('Mike', vocals). Frank DiCostanzo joined as a rhythm guitarist and John Fowler replaced Jack Wilkenson. But after moving to L.A. and getting a record deal and a manager, the band ultimately decided to change their name to Steelheart. The band's debut album, the self-titled Steelheart, was released on May 10, 1990, and reached #40 on the Billboard 200.

Steelheart's second album, ''Tangled in Reins'', was released in 1992, reaching No. 144 on the ''Billboard'' charts. The album had significantly less success than its predecessor in the USA, because it only reached #144 on the Billboard 200, and none of the released singles charted. The single "Mama Don't You Cry" charted No. 1 in many East Asian Countries, including Hong Kong, leading to an Asian tour in September 1992. Towards the end of their tour of Asia, Steelheart was asked by Slaughter to open for them at a show in Denver, Colorado on Halloween night in 1992. While performing "Dancing in the Fire," from their "Tangled in Reins" album, Matijevic walked under an unsecured lighting truss, which fell toward the stage. In an attempt to evade it, the truss landed on top of him, crushing him face first into the stage. Matijevic suffered a broken nose, cheekbone, jaw and a twisted spine.

In 1996 a revamped lineup of Steelheart emerged with guitarist Kenny Kanowski, bassist Vincent Mele and drummer Alex Makarovich, leaving Matijevic as the only original member. The new Steelheart recorded and released the album ''Wait'', despite their past two albums being filled with high powered glam metal, this album has more of an alternative metal sound. Original member James Ward joined Steelheart on the tour supporting the album. Though the album failed to chart in the US, the track " We All Die Young" was featured in the motion picture '' Rock Star'', starring Mark Wahlberg and Jennifer Aniston.

In late 2006 the EP ''Just a Taste'' was released, three tracks on it would be released again on the 2008 album ''Good 2B Alive'', and the other track "We All Die Young" was previously put out on "Wait" and the "Rock Star" soundtrack.

In 2016, Steelheart appeared at the three-day Rockingham 2016, glam metal festival with Marten Andersson from Lynch Mob and Lizzy Borden on bass, in Nottingham, United Kingdom on October 22, as the headline act of the second day.

Steelheart released the album, ''Through Worlds of Stardust'', in 2017 and the live album, ''Rock'n Milan'', in 2018.

Band members

Current members

* Miljenko Matijevic – lead vocals, rhythm and acoustic guitar, piano (1989–1992, 1996, 2006–present)
* Joe Pessia – lead guitar (2017–present)
* Mike Humbert – drums, percussion (2006–present)

Past members

* Chris Risola – lead guitar, backing vocals (1989–1992, 2006–2014)
* Frank DiCostanzo – rhythm guitar, bass, backing vocals (1989–1992)
* James Ward – bass, piano, backing vocals (1989–1992, 1996)
* John Fowler – drums (1990–1992; died 2008)
* Kenny Kanowski – lead guitar (1996; died 2017)
* Vincent Mele – bass (1996)
* Alex Makarovich – drums (1996)
* Bill Lonero – lead guitar (2008)
* Jack Wilkenson – drums (1989–1990)
* Sigve Sjursen – bass (2006–2007)
* Rev Jones – bass (2007–2016)
* Uros Raskovski – lead guitar (2006–2008, 2009–2010, 2014–2017)
* Timm Hamm – bass guitar (2013–2015) later a member of Future Eyes, Republica, Geronimo 7, Imposchine, (concurrently 2015–2017) and Wirerims (2018 - current)
* Marten Andersson – bass (2016–2022)

Discography

Albums

*''Steelheart'' (1990)
*''Tangled in Reins'' (1992)
*''Wait'' (1996)
*''Good 2B Alive'' (2008)
*''Through Worlds of Stardust'' (2017)

EPs

*''Just a Taste EP'' (2006)

Singles

Video albums

See also

*List of glam metal bands and artists

References

External links

Official website

{{Authority control

American glam metal musical groups
American hard rock musical groups
Musical groups established in 1990
Musical groups disestablished in 1992
Musical groups reestablished in 1996
Musical groups disestablished in 1996
Musical groups reestablished in 2006
Musical quartets
Heavy metal musical groups from Connecticut