R.I.P. Michael Been, lead singer for The Call

[Common Sense Party]

I don't know how I didn't see this. Michael Been died on August 19th, 2010. One of my favorite artists, songwriters, and The Call were a fantastic band in the 80's and 90's.

According to multiple media reports, musician and sound engineer Michael Been died on Thursday, after apparently suffering a massive heart attack backstage at the Belgian music festival Pukkelpop. He was 60.

Been first made a name for himself as the founder and leader of Bay Area alt-rock band the Call, who first had a hit in 1983 with their single 'The Walls Came Down.' The Call opened for Peter Gabriel on his 1982 'Shock the Monkey' tour and collaborated with him on their 1985 album, 'Reconciled.' They also collaborated with Garth Hudson and Robbie Robertson, both of the Band. The Call were active for two decades beginning in 1980, despite a break in the mid-'90s when Been briefly pursued a solo career. Been also put the band on hold, briefly, in 1987 when he appeared as Apostle John in the movie 'The Last Temptation of Christ.'

Been's son, bassist Robert Levon Been (who has also gone by the name Robert Turner), co-founded the band Black Rebel Motorcycle Club in 1998. Michael took an active interest in his son's musical career and toured with the band as their sound engineer. He was working with them, at Pukkelpop, when he allegedly suffered the heart attack backstage.
http://www.spinner.com/2010/08/19/the-calls-michael-been-dies-of-heart-attack-at-brmc-show/

[Common Sense Party]

1. The Call - "The Walls Came Down"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_kX8lqXAONg

[Common Sense Party]

2. The Call - "Let the Day Begin"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cXywSZ-Zdmg

[eyepaddle]

12. This was my favorite tune from The Call

Of course, I wasn't a die hard fan of theirs. One of my buddies was though.

Peace.

[Common Sense Party]

3. The Call - "I Still Believe"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v-smMyAnJUc

[Common Sense Party]

4. The Call - "Become America"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dlqdbV6eUrQ

This song should be widely played, especially during this campaign.

[Common Sense Party]

5. Am I the only one surprised that he died over a month ago?

I never heard about it. Did anyone else?

[Pithlet]

8. I didn't hear about it either.

That's a shame :(

[Arugula Latte]

6. I'm very sorry to hear that.

The Walls Came Down really was ahead of its time when you look at the lyrics. Catchy tune, too.

Well they blew the horns
And the walls came down
They'd all been warned
And the walls came down
They just stood there laughing
They're not laughing anymore
The walls came down
Sanctuary fades
congregation splits
Nightly military raids
The congregation splits
It's a song of assassins
Ringin' in your ears
We got terrorist thinking
Playing on fears
Well they blew the horns
And the walls came down
They'd all been warned
But the walls came down
I don't think there are any Russians
And there ain't no Yanks
Just corporate criminals
playin' with tanks

[Kat45]

7. I think I might have heard it, but my memory is so bad I'm not sure

But I do remember that I saw the Call in concert back in the day.

[Common Sense Party]

9. Lucky! I never had the chance to see them.

I'm firing up the iPod, though.

[Yeshuah Ben Joseph]

10. Very underrated band, and Michael was a great songwriter

And I forgave him for being in that dumb movie a long time ago. ;)

The Call - All About You http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y1pX469oKoY

[Common Sense Party]

15. Last Temptation?

I never saw it. I was surprised to read he was in it. Ah, well.

[The Magistrate]

11. Damn,Sir: Sorry To Hear That.'The Call' Was a Great Band

[NoGOPZone]

13. Many people hadn't heard. In death as in life, he didn't receive the attention he deserved nt

[Common Sense Party]

14. Amen to that.

[driver8]

16. One of my friends on Facebook mentioned it when it happened -- otherwise, I wouldn't have known.

The Call put out some great stuff -- one of my favorite bands from the Eighties.