Steelheart

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). Former Rage of Angels members, rhythm guitarist Frank DiCostanzo and drummer John Fowler joined when Jack Wilkenson left.{{Cite web |title=Rage of Angels - Rage of Angels - Encyclopaedia Metallum: The Metal Archives |url=https://www.metal-archives.com/albums/Rage_of_Angels/Rage_of_Angels/5664 |access-date=2025-05-08 |website=www.metal-archives.com}} But after moving to L.A. and getting a record deal and a manager, the band ultimately decided to change their name to Steelheart.{{cite web|url=https://steelheart.com/about/|title=Meet The Band|website=www.steelheart.com}} The band's debut album, the self-titled [[Steelheart (album)|Steelheart]], was released on May 10, 1990, and reached #40 on the [[Billboard 200|''Billboard'' 200]] and was certified Gold by the [[RIAA certification|RIAA]] after one year, in 1991.{{Cite web |title=Gold & Platinum |url=https://www.riaa.com/gold-platinum/?tab_active=default-award&se=steelheart#search_section |access-date=2025-05-08 |website=RIAA |language=en-US}}

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). Former Rage of Angels members, rhythm guitarist Frank DiCostanzo and drummer John Fowler joined when Jack Wilkenson left.{{Cite web |title=Rage of Angels - Rage of Angels - Encyclopaedia Metallum: The Metal Archives |url=https://www.metal-archives.com/albums/Rage_of_Angels/Rage_of_Angels/5664 |access-date=2025-05-08 |website=www.metal-archives.com}} But after moving to L.A. and getting a record deal and a manager, the band ultimately decided to change their name to Steelheart.{{cite web|url=https://steelheart.com/about/|title=Meet The Band|website=www.steelheart.com}} The band's debut album, the self-titled [[Steelheart (album)|Steelheart]], was released on May 10, 1990, and reached #40 on the [[Billboard 200|''Billboard'' 200]] and was certified Gold by the [[RIAA certification|RIAA]] after one year, in 1991.{{Cite web |title=Gold & Platinum |url=https://www.riaa.com/gold-platinum/?tab_active=default-award&se=steelheart#search_section |access-date=2025-05-08 |website=RIAA |language=en-US}}

Steelheart's second album, ''Tangled in Reins'', was released in 1992,{{cite web|url=https://www.discogs.com/Steelheart-Tangled-In-Reins/release/3514910|title=Steelheart – Tangled In Reins|website=Discogs}} reaching No. 144 on the ''Billboard'' charts. The album had significantly less success than its predecessor in the US, 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,{{Citation needed|date=January 2011}} including [[Hong Kong]], leading to an Asian tour in September 1992. Towards the end of their tour of Asia, Steelheart was asked by [[Slaughter (American band)|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 climbed 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.

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 US, 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,{{Citation needed|date=January 2011}} including [[Hong Kong]], leading to an Asian tour in September 1992. Towards the end of their tour of Asia, Steelheart was asked by [[Slaughter (American band)|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 climbed 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 last original member. The new Steelheart recorded and released the album ''[[Wait (Steelheart 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 (2001 film)|Rock Star]]'', starring [[Mark Wahlberg]] and [[Jennifer Aniston]].

In 1996, a revamped lineup of Steelheart emerged with guitarist Kenny Kanowski, bassist Vincent Mele and drummer Alex Makarovich, leaving Matijevic as the last original member. The new Steelheart recorded and released the album ''[[Wait (Steelheart 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 (2001 film)|Rock Star]]'', starring [[Mark Wahlberg]] and [[Jennifer Aniston]].