Michael Lean Returns
Michael Lean returns for his first major interview in decades.
The Stevie Rachelle interview:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ymgTLJ76_9s&t=165s
Best known as the drummer and driving force behind TUFF during the band’s rise on the Sunset Strip, Michael opens up about the glory days of the Hollywood rock scene, the highs and lows of the music business, why he walked away from the band in 1993, and the unexpected second act that followed.
In this exclusive conversation, we discuss:
• The early days of TUFF
• Life on the Sunset Strip during the late 80s
• Touring, recording, and the major label era
• Leaving the band as grunge was taking over
• Reinventing himself outside the music industry
• Building a massively successful business after rock & roll
• Why he returned to Tuff after all these years away
If you’re a fan of hair metal, glam rock, and untold stories from the golden era of the Sunset Strip, you do not want to miss this one.
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#Tuff #MichaelLean #HairMetal #GlamMetal #SunsetStrip #80sMetal #HardRock #stevierachelle
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@stevenbazan9681
May 12, 2026 at 5:23 am
i love tuff great interview
@CB3Music
May 12, 2026 at 5:23 am
Another great interview! Tuff is one of my favorites!
@TONERAVENTUNES
May 12, 2026 at 5:23 am
Without people like this Gentlemen and so many other rockers who built the sunset strip legacy, there would be no
We Are The Black Things band, the band I'm playing the Hollywood Sunset-Strip with currently at the Whisky A Go Go.
The magazines and the lore drove me crazy, and drove me to Hollywood in 93.Tone Raven-guitar/voc
@michaellukers
May 12, 2026 at 5:23 am
Such a great attitude. I have always enjoyed his playing style and kit designs. Very Rock 'n Roll!
@MrNeilphipps
May 12, 2026 at 5:23 am
Great interview. Tuff is really underrated.
@KennyChavis
May 12, 2026 at 5:23 am
Thank you Guru for starting this channel. Thanks to Stevie Rachelle for his support and all of your panel members. I have so much enjoyment and laughs from your videos. Really awesome to hear the rock and roll stories from the guys that lived them. Best Channel on YouTube. Thanks
@aronbasile3335
May 12, 2026 at 5:23 am
You can easily see why micheal hit the ground running and became so sucssessful.
@DanielOzzzy189
May 12, 2026 at 5:23 am
Brilliant interview. What a lovely guy. I wish I lived near enough to pop in and have a coffee and bagel at Michael's place ❤
Thanks to all involved, just a great listen.
@MYQUE19
May 12, 2026 at 5:23 am
Fantastic, Guru! Tuff always stood out. As my friends were moving on from hair bands, I just couldn't. They would make the poison comparison and make fun of them. I wore WCAGA and Fist First out.
@hardrockingtriviashow667
May 12, 2026 at 5:23 am
Tuff was a big draw at the Country Club in the San Fernando Valley. Always entertaining live.
@B40-r8i
May 12, 2026 at 5:23 am
Old New York deli has great pastrami
@martymajewski6177
May 12, 2026 at 5:23 am
Great to hear interview with Michael Lean! Quick story, in 1992 I was getting my hair cut, started talking music with the lady cutting my hair, she asked if I had heard of a band called TUFF? I said, “Holy Shit, I have their cassette in tape player in my car right now!” She ended up being sister of Stevie Rachelle! She asked if I’d want to meet them if she could set it up? Well, hell yes I would! Stevie and Michael were doing promotional tour for the album, they came to Dallas and my cousin and I got room at hotel they were staying at (Stevie’s sister told us who to ask for, I don’t remember what names they were listed under). Stevie and Michael came to our room, we were drinking beer and cranking their album( Stevie did not drink, Michael had a few with us), there was knock on our door, it was program director of Z-ROCK, with a couple super hot model girls, they were driving them around to clubs that night. Michael asked,” you 2 wanna come with us?” HELL YEAH! So we went with them that night, just kinda hung out in background while they did their meet and greets at the clubs, and they were both so cool and nice, especially Michael. Stevie was pretty quiet, Michael talked to us all night, at the clubs and in the Suburban driving to the next club! And every club we went to, Michael was like “whatever you guys want, it’s on us!” Super cool guys, and def a night I’ll never forget!
@michaelschmidt9708
May 12, 2026 at 5:23 am
Michael seems like a cool dude but I never got into Tuff. I had a friend who worked for a big publishing company in L.A. at the time and he was offered to sign Tuff to a publishing deal but refused because he though they had no songs to speak of. I met Todd later on when he had Criminal Minds who turned into Black when he was going for a full on Pantera vibe with him playing bass and singing.
@tonystarlin1
May 12, 2026 at 5:23 am
GREAT INTERVIEW….!!!!!!!!!!!!! I can relate to so many of the things that were talked about including stepping away from it all for a while to pursue business and starting a family ect….. Family first in my book all day long.. As Michael said though… once a musician , always a musician !!!!! with that being said we cant wait to play with you at the whisky… new great Hollywood sunset strip memories….. again really great interview…. Keep them coming , ……. Tony
@jeffklein4727
May 12, 2026 at 5:23 am
Thanks Michael Anthony and Patrick…these interviews are awesome…keep it up
@soulkiss1001
May 12, 2026 at 5:23 am
at how many minuts and scounds does tuff member discuss the recent drama with michael sweet of stryper please.
@jeffklein4727
May 12, 2026 at 5:23 am
Gotta apologize….HARRY CODY AND ZINNY just dropped their video for Damn…..WOW…..had to watch that first…
@jay6.29
May 12, 2026 at 5:23 am
The All New Michael Lean interview was awesome! Love Tuff! Take care and Rock On brother🤘
@gregpeterson994
May 12, 2026 at 5:23 am
FYI – Have you heard the new CodyZinny Zan song released today??? Holy sh!!!t!
@stevierachelle6930
May 12, 2026 at 5:23 am
Great stuff Anthony…
I am pretty sure Tuff did 4 shows with Jimmy in Los Angeles… there are a few flyers floating around from Troubadour in Dec. 1986 and Gazzarri's May 1987, which was Jimmy's last gig. There was also a show at the Country Club in Reseda… I think the 4th show, might have been a second date at Troubadour.
I got the Tuff "Singer Wanted" flyer on June 19th 1987 in Wisconsin, and flew to LAX 6 days later on June 25th. Met the band on July 1st, and auditioned 2x, with the final audition being Sat. July 11th 1987, that night they told me I was the guy.
Our 1st show was exactly 6 weeks later on August 22nd at The Roxy with Warrant, 2nd show was at Troubadour in September, 3rd show was in Phx Az with Mistreated (aka Asphalt Ballet) and our 4th show, we headlined the Whisky on Nov. 6th… got paid $500.00 and our promoter was Razzmata – headed up by Janie Lewzewski – who later she married Eddie Van Halen.
Read the rest… by googling TUFF DIARIES on Metal Sludge… start from Entry #1… and enjoy!
@williamzimmerman7678
May 12, 2026 at 5:23 am
Another great interview… Keep up the great work.
@clintsroke7216
May 12, 2026 at 5:23 am
I met mike at studio 1 Newark nj in 91 ish was such i genuine nice guy to ❤
@clintsroke7216
May 12, 2026 at 5:23 am
Fantastic interview today! My only problem is a wish this was a 3 hour interview instead of 1 and half hours love this interview today ❤❤❤❤❤ liked hyped and all today!
@JoeyTroy1984
May 12, 2026 at 5:23 am
Absolutely cool fucking interview. Love how you get these old hair metal stars to tell their stories. Look forward to them bro.
@mikeb.7183
May 12, 2026 at 5:23 am
You should have asked Mike what his connection was with the thrash band Sacred Riech
@nickkruger3296
May 12, 2026 at 5:23 am
So I’ve got a great story about Michael. I saw Tuff in Akron Ohio around 89/90. I knew the lyrics to the whole album front to back. At the end of the show Michael throws me his drumstick and I was blown away. I mean I’m a guy. I figured he would hand the sticks to girls. Nope. He somehow knew I was a true fan from my crowd participation. I just thought that was a stand up move. Still have the stick to this day! Thanks always Mike!
@jeffsilva1341
May 12, 2026 at 5:23 am
Where the hell has Lean been!! So cool to see him! Go find George now!
@kevinsmith7-7-7
May 12, 2026 at 5:23 am
Michael is even wearing BLACK
@DanielOzzzy189
May 12, 2026 at 5:23 am
Fantastic! I cannot wait to watch this one, I loved the debut Tuff album and good guys wear black was one of my favourite songs. That always reminded me of Mister Lean! ❤
@parismetaphysics6214
May 12, 2026 at 5:23 am
I've got (along with all the Tuff CDs) the 1990 'Thunder & Mud' Laser Disc where Tuff performs 'Good Guys Wear Black'. – Still Killer! 2day.
@ScottNazzarese
May 12, 2026 at 5:23 am
I’m loving this! Perfect way to start a Monday morning! 💥💥
@seangens954
May 12, 2026 at 5:23 am
Michael Lean rules
@patrickreeves4650
May 12, 2026 at 5:23 am
how cool is michael for doing this! thank you to stevie for getting this set up!
@glamasfuck
May 12, 2026 at 5:23 am
Being in bed with a cold this is what I needed 🤘🏻
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