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Issue 13,  1 October 2005

1) Band News
2) Tour Dates - info on upcoming concert appearances
3) Band Member Interview - with original Head East bass player Larry Boyd
4) Head East Lyrics - the words to "A Little More Time" by Richie Callison.
5) Mail - stories and comments from Head East fans

* Head East founding member and keyboardist Roger Boyd has received his doctoral degree in Public Policy Studies from Saint Louis University. Dr. Boyd previously received his masters degree in Social Work from Southern Illinois University in 1998, and is a graduate of the University of Illinois at Champaign/Urbana where Head East got there start in the late 60s and early 70s.

* Just weeks after Hip-O-Select reissued Head East's Gettin' Lucky and Head East (self-titled) in CD format on 1 April 2005, Hip-O-Records released Classic Rock Gold. This 2-CD set includes the Head East anthem "Never Been Any Reason" along with 31 songs from other classic rock groups. The CD which was issued on 26 April 2005, is available through most online music retail websites.

Never Been Any Reason has been included on several classic rock compilation CDs including Greatest Rock - All Time Classics Vols 1 & 2, and Made In America Vols 1 & 2. These classic rock compilations are also available through most online music retailers and can be found in major music store chains.

* Dr. Robert Moog, inventor of the Moog Synthesizer, died on 21 August 2005 at the age of 71. Since their development in the 60s, Moog synthesizers have been widely used throughout the music industry. They were especially popular with rock musicians, who appreciated the wide range of unique sounds that could be created by adjusting the various controls. Dr. Moog reached an even bigger audience in 1971 with the devlopment of his portable Minimoog Model D, which had an even wider range of variations.

The Minimoog is an important part of the Head East sound and is most notably heard on the Head East anthem "Never Been Any Reason". The portable Minimoog allows Head East keyboardist Roger Boyd to strap on his keyboard and move about the stage in a performance that is the highlight of the band's concert finale. Head East and the entire Classic Rock community have all benefited from Dr. Moog's inventions and are grateful for his contributions to the music industry.

More concerts are in the works for 2005 and 2006. Check the tour dates page for additional info and updates to the tour schedule.

*All concerts may be subject to change. Please check with each venue before heading to the concert.

What musical training did you receive while growing up and what instruments did you play?

"I took piano lessons from the age of 6 until I was 13. And I played trombone in the grade school and high school band. Having learned to read music from taking piano lessons, I taught myself to play guitar, bass, flute, and saxophone. During the early days of Head East, I played mainly bass guitar, but also some keyboards, flute and trombone on cover tunes."

What influenced you to become a bass player in a rock band?

"I wanted to play in a rock band because in the 60's there was a vibrant music scene everywhere and plenty of places to play. Nothing really pointed me towards the bass guitar other than it was what we needed in the band when my brother Roger, Steve Huston, and I reformed from other bands."

Did you play in any rock bands prior to forming the TimeAtions with Roger and Steve?

"Roger and I played with other bands in the Carlyle, Illinois area, starting with the Youngbloods, then the Runaways. When Roger met Steve Huston, we quit to form the TimeAtions which later became Head East."

Why did you leave Head East in 1974?

"At the time I had one young daughter and I left the band to spend more time with my family. Also I really desired to return to school and finish my teaching degree. "

What did you do after leaving Head East until you later returned to work for the band?

"I left Head East in 1974 and mostly golfed and water skied for about 6 months. I intended to return to school at this point, but instead I worked for Pepsi Cola, intending to buy the local distributorship. I also started an imprinted sportwear business and began printing t-shirts for the band."

Beginning with Head East's 2nd album in 1976 you are credited with being a crewmember and are credited as road manager on subsequent albums. When did you return to work for Head East and what responsibilities did you have within the band?

"When the band started doing real well and traveling extensively I returned to assist as stage manager and later road manager. I mostly did the logistics of touring - getting sound and light companies, tour buses, hotels, and handling the money for the tour."

You co-wrote "Call To Arms And Legs" with Steve Huston. What can you tell us about this song which was included on the Gettin' Lucky album?

"I wrote the lyrics to this song to express my opinions about cars, pollution, etc. It was a protest song that I feel is just as relevant today!"

You occasionally sit in on bass guitar with Head East for a few songs during the encore. What is it like being up on stage with the band now, and do you ever get the desire to return to playing full time in a rock band?

"I sit in once in a while with the band and enjoy it. I still play keyboards, bass, flute, and guitar for my own enjoyment and once in a while I sit in with some local bands. I would consider playing about once a month if I found like-minded folks, but I would never return to playhing full time because I enjoy my time with family and friends."

Have you played in any other bands since leaving Head East in 1974?

"I played in a couple of local bands in the late 70s and early 80s. I had a great little 3 piece band with two sisters singing lead called Mud Duck and the River Kitties. We played mostly weekends, but I gave that up because most of the band wanted to play as often as possible and I just wanted to play once in a while."

What educational and professional accomplishments have you received outside of your tenure with Head East?

"I received a bachelor's degree, master's degree, and specialist degree to become a teacher, principal, and superintendent. I taught junior high and high school and then worked for the Illinois State Board of Education for 10 years. I retired from that 2 years ago and have since consulted for federal education grants and regional offices of education. I have served on the Carlyle City Council for 14 years, and I was the morning DJ (Boyd in the morning) on a classic rock radio station (WDLJ 97.5) in Metro St. Louis for most of 2003. I played a lot of Head East, Allman Brothers, REO, etc., and had a good following for a small watt station. However, I gave it up due to increasing amounts of education consulting work. I am currently enjoying semi-retirement and my 3 grandchildren. And my golf game is really good right now."

A Head East fan writes - "Damn its been a long time since I've heard any Head East. I jammed with them back in 1983 when they did a gig in my home town of Fairbanks, Alaska. The night before the gig they came into the bar where my band was playing, and the lead singer got up and sang You've Got Another Thing Comin' and hung out with us for a bit that night.

My bass player was working for the sound crew at the show and they asked if Head East could use my drum set for the show in exchange for some free tickets to the concert. I said, "oh hell yeah". So we went to the show and toward the end of the show Roger Boyd said over the mic, "ladies and gentlemen we would like to call up a local band we jammed with last night, and we would like to get them up here with us and return the favor". I was only 19 at the time and practically everyone that I knew was there. Damn did my head swell! We did a blues number, and I was a little buzzed and dropped a couple sticks, but held it together I think. Head East was the first big named band I had jammed with and will never forget how cool they were. Thanks guys! Ya still Rock!

Oh yeah, the stage wasn't that big and the ceiling was a bit low, especially for Roger. When it came time for the solo in Never Been Any Reason, Roger lifted his strapped on Moog overhead and put the friggin' thing through the ceiling! The ceiling tile exploded and covered him. We were laughing so hard that we almost wet ourselves. The drummer couldnt sing his part because he was laughing so hard, so they kept the passage going until the drummer came in with the "have ya ever been lonely" part. Thanks for the great experience guys!"

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