Ron Keel, the legendary frontman of Steeler, has always embraced a rebellious spirit, earning him the moniker of the “Metal Cowboy.” Keel discussed his return to the metal scene with Steeler’s revival, and his journey from hair metal to country music.
The 1996 MTV documentary It Came From The ’80s II: Metal Goes Pop provided a glimpse into the post-glory days of hair metal icons. While many of Keel’s contemporaries shifted careers after the genre’s decline—some to painting billboards, others to fatherhood—Keel took a different route. When metal’s popularity waned in the early ’90s, Keel transitioned to country music, recording under the name “Ronnie Lee Keel” and releasing his 1995 album Western Country. His move to Nashville and involvement in The Rat’lers was groundbreaking for the genre, positioning Keel as a trailblazer in bridging metal and country.
Now, Keel has resurrected Steeler and released Keelworld, a diverse album blending his heavy metal roots with country influences. With Steeler’s new single, “Give Me Guitars (Or Give Me Death),” gaining traction, Keel remains unapologetically true to his ‘outlaw’ identity, blending multiple musical styles to reflect his journey as both a metal pioneer and a country music innovator.
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