Michael Raphael: Santa Clarita’s Own Hitmaker

From the streets of San Francisco to the global stage, Michael Raphael, a Santa Clarita resident, has carved out an extraordinary career as a musician, songwriter, producer, and composer, with credits spanning major record labels, hit TV shows, and blockbuster films.
Michael’s journey began in San Francisco, where his first band caught the attention of legendary rock icon Ronnie Montrose, who went on to produce his music. After relocating to Los Angeles, Michael founded the band Jailhouse, quickly signed to Capitol Records—with their videos still in rotation on VH1 Classic today.
Soon after, Michael teamed up with music industry powerhouse Randy Jackson, who signed his next band, Neve, to Columbia Records. Neve earned national acclaim, joining tours with KISS, Duran Duran, Rage Against the Machine, and The Black Crowes, among others. Their single “It’s Over Now” became a Billboard-charting hit, cementing Neve’s place in late-’90s rock history.
Transitioning into production and songwriting, Michael began collaborating with major entertainment companies including Disney/Hollywood Records. His credits include hit releases for Hannah Montana and the DisneyMania albums—projects that introduced his music to millions of fans worldwide. His success led to further collaborations with platinum-selling artists such as Busted.
As a composer, Michael’s music has been featured in thousands of television shows, commercials, and films, including Marvel’s Thor: Love and Thunder, A Working Man (starring Jason Statham), The Naked Gun (starring Liam Neeson), and That’s My Boy. His work also appears in major streaming hits such as Stranger Things and Cobra Kai. Since 2012, Michael has served as the lead composer for CBS’s iconic game show “The Price Is Right.”
In addition to his film and TV work, Michael composed music for Nike’s World Cup campaign “Footballverse” and was recently invited to record guitar on Busted’s Greatest Hits album, which debuted at Number 1 on the UK Billboard charts. He was also hired to compose new Audience Hype Chants for the New York Giants.
Michael recently launched his own production music label, MRM, with worldwide distribution. The label made its television debut on NBC’s Nightline, marking the next bold chapter in a career defined by creativity, collaboration, and chart-topping success.
At home in Santa Clarita, Michael shares his life with his wife Sharolyn Raphael, who owns a successful business, selling medical supplies via Amazon. Sharolyn has been recognized as one of the platform’s top sellers and has earned awards for her outstanding performance. The couple has been happily married since 1990 and moved to Santa Clarita in 1991. They have two children, both pursuing successful careers of their own. Their son Phoenix has followed in Michael’s musical footsteps, composing and working behind the scenes in the music industry while also excelling in video production. Their daughter Echo has dedicated her career to helping others as a health specialist, improving countless lives through her expertise and care.
Today, Michael Raphael continues to create, compose, and inspire—whether it’s for television, film, or his own production label. Rooted in Santa Clarita with his family, he balances his award-winning career with life at home, passing on his passion for music and creativity to the next generation, while celebrating the successes of his children and supporting his wife’s thriving business. His story is a testament to talent, dedication, and the enduring power of family.

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