For 36 years, SteelHeart has been a towering presence in the global rock scene. At the helm is frontman Miljenko Matijevic whose soaring vocal range and undeniable intensity have defined hard rock anthems for generations. Beyond his decades with SteelHeart, Matijevic’s legendary pipes brought the fictional rock god Chris Cole to life in the Warner Bros. film “Rock Star” starring Mark Wahlberg and Jennifer Aniston, and even saw him stepping in as the touring singer for The Doors.
Despite an illustrious career that has spanned continents, stadiums, and silver screens though, Miljenko remains grounded in what matters most: the raw, unadulterated power of music, connection, and happiness.
Photo by Brian Denton
A Full-Circle Journey with “Without You”
Miljenko’s musical journey recently took a poignant, unexpected turn with SteelHeart’s breathtaking cover of the classic track “Without You.” The song’s history with the singer goes back decades. “It really captured me 30 years ago, after my accident,” Miljenko’s shares. “I grew up with this song. My brother and I, we had two beds next to each other, and in the middle was a radio. It was one of the biggest hits we grew up with at eight or nine years old.”
Apparently, Miljenko originally recorded a SteelHeart rendition three decades ago, only to discover that Mariah Carey was simultaneously dropping her own iconic version. Out of respect and timing, he shelved the project, but fate had other plans. Earlier this year, the song found its way back to him.
The resulting revival is nothing short of epic. Collaborating with a 50-piece orchestra in a foreign country, Miljenko poured decades of life experience into the studio. Watch the SteelHeart music video here:
“I’ve been through a lot of battles in this lifetime, and all of those layers of me come through me when I sing,” he reflects. “When I do sing, I’m in a whole other world. I’m somewhere else, and it’s an absolutely spectacular gift that I can’t even begin to explain.”
The cinematic music video (directed and produced by Miljenko alongside his partner, actress and model Sarah Jane) was shot amidst the breathtaking, towering majesty of the Northern California Redwoods. For Miljenko, creating art is a sacred, permanent act. “When you create art, it’s forever… So you might as well make it good, because it’s forever,” he says.
The Global Phenomenon of “She’s Gone”
While SteelHeart’s catalog spans heavy riffs and soaring ballads, one track holds an almost mythical status internationally: She’s Gone.
To this day, the power ballad remains an absolute rite of passage in South Korea’s norae bangs (karaoke rooms), holding strong as a chart-topping karaoke staple since 1990. Miljenko recalled a hilarious anecdote about discovering just how far-reaching the track’s legacy is while writing lyrics in a quiet London pub, “I got my earphones in… and I come into this bar, and everyone’s doing karaoke. And what are they singing? ‘She’s Gone’ right there in London! What are the odds?”
Lessons from 36 Years in the Spotlight
When asked what advice he would give to the fiery, high-octane version of himself from 30 years ago, Miljenko laughs and keeps it simple, “Stop talking. Listen.”
Reflecting on the unpredictable nature of the music industry marked by massive highs and sudden roadblocks, including the devastating accident that temporarily sidelined his career, he offers words of wisdom for the next generation of artists as well.
“You have to be honest with yourself,” he advises aspiring musicians. “If you have a gift and you really know it, you have to come to the realization: do you want to keep going for the right reasons? The amount of love, beauty, and things you will experience that not all human beings get to experience is a beautiful gift, but you have to be ready for the ups and downs.”
For Miljenko, the definition of success has shifted dramatically over the years. No longer chasing fleeting industry metrics in the age of TikTok algorithms, he has found a purer North Star: happiness.
Photo from SteelHeart
A Special Message to the Philippines
Miljenko holds a special place in his heart for Southeast Asia, particularly the Philippines, which consistently ranks as one of SteelHeart’s top streaming hubs.
“I haven’t been back to the Philippines for a long time. I really, really look forward to coming back and to my Philippine family,” Miljenko shares warmly. “I know there are amazing singers in the Philippines. Tell your promoters, get me over there, and I will come and we will sing together like crazy people!” Let’s make it happen?
