[1] In 1981, Risola was playing lead guitar with his band consisting of Jimmy Ward on bass and Jack Wilkinson on drums, they then started auditioning singers, eventually hiring 15-year-old Mike Matijevic.
His solos focused on hard blues, rock, speed, tapping and harmonies with rhythm guitarist Frank DiCostanzo.
Nearing the end of the 'Tangled in Reins' tour, Slaughter asked Steelheart to perform one last show in Denver, Colorado.
[citation needed] While performing “Dancing in the Fire” from the album Tangled in Reins, Matijevic decided to climb a lighting truss, which was improperly secured.
After a 13-year hiatus, Risola rejoined Steelheart, joined by Mike Humbert on drums, along with Rev Jones on bass.