Michael Monarch

I was recently visiting iTunes and while I was there I thought I'd re-visit some old favorites like Steppenwolf that I hadn't listened to in years. I already knew I loved the songs but I was surprised by the musicianship which still holds up to today's standards (something I can't say for most oldies bands). The guitar work really stands out. Great dirty tone and attitude and also very precise playing when using a clean tone. Most players do one or the other well, but seldom both. I know because I've recorded some of the best here in Nashville so I hope you take that as a well founded compliment. Anyway, I just wanted to drop a line to say that I really enjoy and appreciate your playing in both the old and new songs. Keep up the good work........Rob S.

WCR Arizona Show
May 28, 2008
I was in the Fantasy camp in Scottsdale AZ a couple of weeks ago. I had the privilege of being on stage and having a wonderful time. Considering I was the guy with NO musical ability it was cool to hang out and shake the maracas on stage with the back up singers. Thanks for a wonderful time.......Johnny T.

Mike, I have always been a great fan, and my life changed in oh so many ways when, as a 7 yr. old kid, I took a chance and spent the $2.99 on Steppenwolf II...Prior to that , I was strictly into Simon Says, The Cowsills and Yummy Yummy Yummy...As soon as the needle hit the vinyl on "Faster" I knew, somewhere inside that 7 yr. old soul, that this was something different...And it was through Steppenwolf, that I got into Cream, Hendrix and even Muddy Waters....Take care Mike and I wish you all the best...........Joe W.

Hi Michael, had a great time with you guys over the weekend in Phoenix. The band rocked and everyone loved the show. Thanks again for the instruction. That was a thrill for me. Everyone from the band to the crew were extremely friendly and easy to get along with. Keep rocking and let me know if you coming to the Cincinnati area anytime soon. We would love to see you again.......Steve L.

Hello, my name is Maria. Michael and I met at the Chicago National Train Day World Classic Rockers show. I think he is amazing!

Hi…was browsing your site and can glean a bit from the photos, but was wondering what your mainstay guitars are and gear setup? Few guitarists stand out w/ such unique style.....Thanks, Bruce

Hello Bruce, Thanks for the kind words. For live work I use a Custom Fender Strat with a Marshall amp (800 or 900). I keep the outboard stuff simple - Delay pedal in the amps send and return. On the floor I have a tuner and an EQ boost pedal for solos. My strings are 009 - 046. In the studio I use all kinds of stuff but I do favor my candy red Strat. Has a different tone from most other Strats I have played. I also use a Gibson Les Paul for some things. Amps in the studio are a Marshall Plexi 50watt head and a blackface Fender Princeton. For recording I use Protools and Logic with lots of plug-ins so I have all those effects too.....MM

Hello Michael,
Just wanted to thank you again for taking time out of your busy schedule to visit with me after your WCR concert in Palm Springs. I have been a huge fan from the time I talked my older brother into taking me to see Steppenwolf when I was 12 or 13. At that time I was just learning to play the guitar, so I was thoroughly impressed with your style and what seemed to be your effortless ability to play the guitar. Seeing you perform in Palm Springs reminded me of the fact that you are an amazing guitar player! I have played for over 30 years so I can appreciate it more than most. Thanks again for your time, thanks for the pick.........Bruce

From my early teens on I have been a Steppenwolf fan. ‘Wolf was my first real hard rock experience and to this day I cite them as a huge influence on my preferences and music writing. Currently I am in the process of converting all my old LP’s into CD’s and have just come into the “S’s”. I still have the first album and “At Your Birthday Party” on vinyl and am listening to “Desperation” even as I type this. Thanks for all the wonderful years of timeless music!.............Mike Martin

Hi my name is Stacy and I was at Comstock Rock Festival in Nebraska this summer. I was right in the front row during the show and you threw about 6 guitar picks to me and I missed all of them! So my dad and I found you and got a picture with you (which is on my page!) and we got to talk to you for awhile. I just wanted to tell you how awesome that was to be able to talk to you, not many musicians will do that! Anyway, I LOVED the show and hopefully you guys will come back to Nebraska!........
Stacy

Hi. I wanted to tell you how awesome your concert was Saturday. It was even better than the show in Cancun earlier this year. It was great to see you guys again. My son said you were the most awesome guitar player! It was great to be at your concert again. Let me know if you're doing any public concerts coming up........Donna

I just wanted to say that you all did an amazing job the other night. Everyone I know that went to it absolutely loved it. I hope that I get to see you guys in concert again and I that you all will stop by the Cracker Barrel again when you all are in town.......Lysa

Thank you all.....it's easy to perform for an audience like you and we appreciate the energy you give back to us..........mm

Whatever happened to all the other guys from Detective? I probably consider Zeppelin to be pound for the pound the greatest band ever, but really, so were you. I just got copies of both CDs from Detective. As a guitar player heavily influenced by you, I have been sitting through those two records again (for the first time in many years) with my jaw sitting on the floor. I cannot say enough about that band. You guys were a better, funkier Zeppelin. There is nary a single unnecessary note by anybody on those records, and you (Michael) pull out everything from Keef to Mick Taylor to Mick Ralphs to Page---it blows me away now more than then, because I realize how ridiculously tasteful you were on everything. I see now you have chops up there with Morse and Johnson and Lee and all the other high high echelon people, but I don't think too many people I just mentioned are as musical as you. And I love all those players. But there are only a couple people who really can do it all, and you're one of them. I really love Rick Derringer too. He's one versatile guy as well. But the question was, I see Des Barres in 3 or 4 movies. What stops Detective from getting together? Is everyone still alive?...........Mike Fitz

Hello Mike, wow....those are some very kind words. I am glad you enjoy those albums. Everyone is still alive. I saw Michael Des Barres recently and John a few months ago. Last time I saw Bobby Pickett was about 5 years ago and I haven't seen Tony Kaye since the band broke up. Unfortunately, I don't think there is much drive to put that band together again. It didn't really end on a good note. Too bad because I think we might have been successful if we could have hung in a little longer. We had Tom Dowd producing are third album but by then we were not getting along too well. For the last ten years I have been playing with WCR (World Classic Rockers) which has worked out pretty good and in between I have been recording my instrumental stuff and writing and recording with others artists. Thanks again for your continued support. All the best.........Michael

Thanks Michael for the great guitar all these years. You were definitely ahead of your time with Steppenwolf and beyond. That's some pretty slick swing dancing as well - you got all the bases covered.....OB James

Thanks for making it all the way out to Moline, Il. You guys rock!..........Matt S.

I met you when you played the concert in the park in Camarillo. I was wearing a Dark Side of the Moon shirt. I'm 16 years old and I play guitar in two bands, both without drummers. Neither of them are very good though... I just wanted to say thank you because my best friend Mike and I love your work with Steppenwolf and we've made "Born to Be Wild" our anthem of sorts. It picks us up when we're feeling blue. Personally, I like "The Pusher." I loved seeing you in Camarillo and I look forward to meeting you again. Peace Out

CD Giveaway Winner - Amy
June 22, 2007

Hello Michael,

I received the cd and pick today and I wanted to thank you. I really appreciate it. I am a big fan of your music. You are a brilliant musician and writer. You play with great skill and passion. Your music is majestic and uplifting. The cd is awesome. You made my day.

All the best,
Amy

Hello Michael, I am very curious as to why Steppenwolf didn't play the Woodstock festival in '69? You guys were a HOT young band at the time; it seems logical that Steppenwolf would have been one of the headliners! Any particular reason for the band's absence at the festivities? Thanks man and best of luck to you...Vince.

Hi Vince, all I can tell you is that we were asked to play Woodstock but declined. I think we may have had conflicting dates or something......I really don't remember being that long ago. Also, keep in mind that no one really knew how big it was going to be and how important it would be for music. It was really the first mega-festival of its kind. In retrospect it is easy to see that was a mistake we and our management made.........hind sight is 20/20.........mm

The World Classic Rockers will be performing live at the Cannery Hotel & Casino on Saturday, July 29th at 8:00 p.m. Be sure to purchase your tickets early by calling the box office at 1-866-287-4643 or Click Here to purchase tickets on-line. Hope to see you there!

Happy Birthday! Glad to see you're doing well. Best Wishes from a long time fan.....KM

Hi Michael,

I recently bought a Squier (Fender) Telecaster. I love this guitar and have been working hard at improving my playing these past few weeks since I bought it. Prior to buying this Tele, I was strictly a rhythm player, but I've started concentrating on learning lead guitar. I'm also in the market for a good (mid-price range) acoustic/electric guitar. I came across what I think is a pretty good deal. I was wondering if you were familiar with Ovation guitars, are they a good, quality guitar?......Jim

Hi Jim, Ovation guitars are pretty good. Some players love them. Of course they have all kinds of models - some cost a lot. I would say that how it feels in your hands is important. Generally I have not found the Ovations that I have played to be the best sounding ac gtrs and I have trouble with the round back - I can't get comfortable with it. The price seems very good for a new one. Happy 4th.......michael

hey michael, my name's mike f. i am a 44 year old guitar player. i used to be in that racket and had a little success (i had one record in stores nationally). anyhow, i've always wanted to tell you how influenced i was by your stuff. detective is and was one of my all time favorite bands. i play a lot of open tuning stuff, the usual stones but also charlie patton, robert johnson and nick drake type stuff. but someone pointed out to me years ago how to play one of your tunes, i cannot even remember which. but that opened everything up to me. i consider four bands the most enjoyable music to play on the guitar--led zep, aerosmith, bad co., and you guys. what stuff do you find a kick to play? do you understand what i mean when i say that some stuff is a joy to play? and how how it was written and phrased is a wonder to behold, as you play it? i would very much like to correspond a bit. who books you?

Hi Mike, thank you for the very kind words. Lately I have been playing some country-ish stuff. Double stops, chicken pickin' and banjo rolls. Some of my favorite players, Danny Gatton, Junior Brown, Albert Lee and Brent Mason use those techniques and I just love it. The band I am currently playing with (World Classic Rockers) is booked by The William Morris Agency. You can check them out at wcr.com. We mainly do corporate shows with some public events like summer fairs and festivals. Please feel free to email me with any questions you have. Best wishes and Rock On!.......mm

thank you for responding, mike. i checked out the stuff on your site. i was surprised, for although i knew you were a world class player, i had no idea you covered so many styles. i would imagine you'd have to, doing so many different gigs. i love danny gatton. after he died i wanted to help his mom release some of his tapes he had kicking around. she lived where i had in atlanta. she eventually put them out with someone or other and the last stuff he did was very reminiscent of what i saw you pulling off on that little boogie woogie number. you have quite a command of country stuff. i love the cleanly executed chicken pickin' cause there's nowhere to hide. i also hear eric johnson in you, among others. ironically, you've been around longer than either of those guys so they sound like you. i guess i hear michael monarch in eric johnson, no? i wish you well, and i hope to see you live some day. i regret never seeing detective. you mentioned who's playing you enjoy now but not who you grew up listening to. thanks again for writing....mike f

Hey Mike, thanks again for the interest in my music. I have definitely listened to and learned from Danny and Eric. As far as early influences - Jeff Beck, Jimi Hendrix, Steve Cropper, Eric Clapton, Ry Cooder, James Burton, etc. There are so many.

Sierra Summit Show - June 24th
June 19, 2006

The World Classic Rockers have been invited back to perform for this years Rumble to the Summit biker ride on Saturday, June 24th at the Sierra Summit above Fresno, CA. Last years event was a smashing success with proceeds benefiting the Central California Chapter of the Make-A-Wish Foundation.

Michael, I waited a long time for this CD, and it WAS worth the wait!!!!! Please do NOT send any
copies to Jeff Beck or Junior Brown, for fear that they will "Give Up" playing........Brian Carrigan

World Classic Rockers - Kaua'i, Hawaii
May 31, 2006

We just wanted to take this opportunity to say a big THANK YOU! The show was a huge success and you absolutely ROCKED the Sugar Mill tonight! We're surprised The Mill is still standing! Thank you so much for all of your work this week and providing such a once in a lifetime opportunity for our attendees.

BMC Software - The Field Leadership Forum

Hallo Michel
May 29, 2006
Can you tell me when you are touring with the WCR in Europe ? Please, let me know !
Stefaan
Hi Stefaan, unfortunately WCR has no shows planned in Europe at this time. We played in Holland a few years ago and there has been some talk of doing that again, hopefully sooner rather then later. Thanks for your support - I hope you are enjoying the new CD.........mm

WCR in Florida & Vegas
May 15, 2006

The World Classic Rockers are playing public concerts in St. Augustine, Florida on May 29th, 2006 (click here for info) & another, Saturday, July 29^th in Las Vegas, NV at the Cannery Casino & Hotel!

Orlando Show
May 14, 2006

I just wanted to tell you that it was probably one of the best shows I've ever seen. You guys so totally rock. It was just awesome to be there on stage with the guys I grew up listening to, the music was great, the energy was great, you guys were all just great. I had such a good time with you and I hope to see you again sometime soon!

~Shara

MM3
May 13, 2006

I have so enjoyed MM3! The twist of country tangled with rock make unique bedfellows and your understated use of the quieter tones on the guitar are beautiful. I hope you continue to write such intriguing music...........RLB

New CD
May 12, 2006

Your new CD is great!! Any live DVD or T-shirts coming out? Hope to see you this year with WCR. Take care......Tony

Thanks for everything!
April 27, 2006

Just wanted to say a quick thanks for an awesome evening in Phoenix this week. I just started playing guitar a few years ago and my experience on stage only solidified my passion (my talent still needs to catch up). I was fortunate enough to win the signed guitar that WCR gave us…I'm going to frame it for a lifetime of memories. Rock on and thanks again!!..........Murray

Hello Michael
April 6, 2006

Hello Michael,

Thanks so much for signing my CD's. They sound great. Not sure what I like best, really like your new CD, but "The Other side of the Tracks" is really good too. I love "When It Rains", beautiful!
Thanks again, S.K.

Just Got The CD!!
Mar 31, 2006

I just got the CD!! It turned out fantastic. I especially liked Malibu Sunset, Softly She Came and Misty Blue Eyes!! This is definitely your best CD out of them all. Very cool choice on the CD cover and insert.....KD

Hard Rock Las Vegas
Mar 28, 2006

Hi Michael,
I wanted to let you know that we really enjoyed the WCR show at The Hard Rock in Las Vegas last weekend. You and Alex stole the show with the Santana songs! Thanks for giving us an all out Rock and Roll night for our group. They loved it..... Hope to see you perform again soon!