Vargek miljenko matijevic biography

Miljenko Matijevic, also known as Michael Matijevic or Mili Matijevic (born 30 November 1964) is a Croatian American rock singer, best known as the frontman of the hard rock band Steelheart. Matijevic has cited Robert Plant of Led Zeppelin and David Coverdale of Deep Purple and Whitesnake as his strongest influences. He became world renowned for his vocal range in the 1990s and is often cited as a strong influence of many singers.

Matijevic was born in Zagreb, SR Croatia, SFR Yugoslavia in 1964. He lived there with his brother and grandparents until 1970 when his parents collected him from Croatia and moved with him and his brother to Scarsdale, New York. When Matijevic was 7, the family moved to Greenwich, Connecticut. Michael's brother, John, learned to play the guitar and Michael would often sing along, particularly country music, as that is what their father enjoyed.

When Michael was 9 he joined the local church choir. However, the biggest change was when Michael was 11 and discovered Led Zeppelin. Although Michael and John both loved this sort of music, their father disapproved, despite this they formed a band called "Teazer", which played Zeppelin, Sabbath and original songs. After a producer, Morgan Walker, discovered them and took them to New York City, the band started to fall apart.

After being seen playing at a local club in the band "The Mission", Don Stroh, owner of Showcase Studios, called Matijevic saying he should come in and rehearse with a band in his studio, this is where Matijevic first met Chris Risola and James Ward, along with Jack Wilkinson, Red Alert was formed.

Jack Wilkinson was eventually replaced by John Fowler and Frank DiConstanzo (formerly of Rage of Angels) were added as a drummer and rhythm guitarist, respectively. Michael soon devoted all attention to the band, and not his college work. He, John and James left to Los Angeles in the hope of getting a record deal, despite having no contacts. However, within a month, the band had a record deal.

The first album Steelheart sold over a million copies with a successful world tour, the follow-up, Tangled in Reins had a successful European and Asia tour.

At the end of U.S. tour in support of Great White, Steelheart was invited to open an additional show for the band Slaughter. On Halloween night, at the McNichols Arena in Denver, Colorado, Steelheart was performing "Dancing in the Fire" from the "Tangled in Reins" album when Matijevic was involved in a serious accident. Matijevic decided to climb a lighting truss which was for some reason improperly secured. He failed to climb the rig and also failed to dodge the 1000 pound piece of equipment, which hit him in the back of the head, driving him face first into the stage. The outcome of the accident was a broken nose, cheekbone, jaw, twisted spine, and severe memory loss. Matijevic found the strength to walk off the stage and was immediately taken to the hospital. The incident marked the end of Steelheart.

Discography
with Steelheart

Steelheart (1990)
Tangled in Reins (1992)
Wait (1996)
Rock Star (soundtrack) (2001)
Just a Taste (EP) (2006)
Good 2B Alive (2008)