'80s Rocker With Two Iconic Bands Turns 71
Michael Steele, the iconic musician behind the legendary bands The Bangles and The Runaways, is ringing in her 71st birthday.
Born on June 2, 1955, the California native, whose real name is Susan Thomas, has cemented her name in the industry as one of the notable figures of the '80s music scene.
With her enduring legacy, let's look back on her remarkable journey as a bassist, singer and songwriter.
From The Runaways to The Bangles
Before being known as Michael Steele, she began her professional career as Micki Steele in the mid-70s.
At the time, she was also a founding member of the girl rock group The Runaways, serving as the original bassist and contributing lead vocalist before Cherie Currie joined.
Steele formed the band alongside Joan Jett on rhythm guitar and Sandy West on drums during its formative years.
However, Steele had a short stint with the band and exited the group even before it was signed by Mercury Records and released its debut album.
Steele's departure was reportedly due to internal conflict with the late music producer and manager Kim Fowley.
"It was one of those things, a girl band made up by a guy [Kim Fowley]. Which kind of sucks. Because it was coming through his twisted concept of what women were," she told Bill DeYoung in a 2000 interview with Goldmine, describing her experience with the band.
Years later, she emerged with another all-female rock group, this time joining The Bangles.
Steele officially joined the band in 1983, completing the quartet consisting of original members Susanna Hoffs on vocals, Vicki Peterson on guitar and Debbi Peterson on drums.
Since then, the group has experienced career-defining moments with one hit song after another.
The band became global pop-rock icons after releasing its second album, Different Light, which included their signature anthem "Manic Monday" and the chart-topping track "Walk Like an Egyptian."
The Bangles' commercial success continued in 1988 with their third studio album, Everything.
The album included the lead single "In Your Room" and the power ballad "Eternal Flame," which peaked at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.
Unfortunately, during the peak of their popularity, The Bangles officially disbanded in 1989 due to internal issues, prompting the members to pursue their solo careers.
"It was like being a surfer," Steele described to The Guardian regarding the fallout. "A wave came up and you had to ride it for as long as you could and then you wiped out and you got maytagged, as we say on the west coast."
It was in 1998 that The Bangles reunited after nearly a decade following their breakup, releasing two full-length studio albums and performing at the Hollywood Bowl's 78th season.
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This story was originally published June 2, 2026 at 8:21 PM.