Michael “Micki” Steele is best known as the Bangles’ classic-era bassist, but helped form The Runaways in 1975. She joined The Bangles in 1983, replacing founding bassist Annette Zilinskas and helping cement the lineup behind the band’s biggest hit years. Wikipedia+2THE BANGLES+2
RockLineage Snapshot
- Role: Bass, vocals, songwriter Wikipedia+1
- Known for: Melodic bass presence, vocal blend, added songwriting voice
- Lineage lane: Classic lineup era (mid-’80s peak) Wikipedia+1
In the Band
Steele replaced Annette Zilinskas in 1983 and played through the band’s high-visibility period, contributing on bass and vocals as the group became one of the defining pop-rock bands of the decade. Wikipedia+2Wikipedia+2
Style & Impact
- Bass as melody support: reinforces hooks rather than just holding root notes
- Vocal glue: strengthens the Bangles’ stacked-harmony identity
- Lineage note: her presence is part of the “classic lineup” sound profile Wikipedia+1
Essential Listening
- “Walk Like an Egyptian”
- “Manic Monday”
- “Hazy Shade of Winter” Wikipedia