Head East (from A&M Records) (Mike Somerville in yellow circle)
Former Head East guitarist Mike Somerville died after a period of illness, his ex colleagues announced. His age and cause of death has not been confirmed.
He’d been instrumental in securing the band’s record deal with A&M after he helped record and self-release their debut album Flat as a Pancake in 1974. As a result of airplay from copies sent to radio stations, they secured a contract; and their first two singles, “Never Been Any Reason” and “Love Me Tonight,” were Somerville’s compositions.
He remained part of Head East for their next four studio albums, until 1979’s A Different Kind of Crazy. In 1980 the lineup split by previous agreement following a final show, and Somerville was one of those to depart. In 1994 he returned for a second stint and remained until 2003.
“While Head East is on the Rock Legends cruise we learned of the death of our own legend Mike Somerville,” founding keyboardist Roger Boyd said via Facebook. “He was a part of the classic band that brought Flat as a Pancake to the world. Mike has been ill since last September. The world was definitely a better place for Mike’s presence. He gave us ‘Never Been Any Reason’ and ‘Love Me Tonight.’ We feel so blessed having been able to play again with Mike this last year for our 50th anniversary. Please say a special prayer for Mike’s Mary and all of Mike’s family.” He concluded: “We love you Mike and you will always be a part of us.”
Somerville is said to have written “Never Been Any Reason” after the experience of coming home from tour and trying to deal with the tension it placed on a relationship. The band described the song as “a staple of classic rock radio and… one of the most frequently played classic rock anthems in many parts of the country.”
https://ultimateclassicrock.com/head-easts-mike-somerville-dies-after-illness/
Did you see any action, did you make any friends?
Would you like some affection, before I leave again?
I’ve been walking behind you, since you’ve been able to see
There’s never been any reason for you to think about me.
Did you have any bad dreams, did you break any glass?
Would you be my companion, is there even a chance?
You’ve been talking in circles, since I’ve been able to cry
There’s never been any reason for never telling me why yea ha
Save my life I’m going down for the last time
Woman with a sweet lovin’ better than a white line
Bring a good feelin’ ain’t had in such a long time
Save my life I’m going down for the last time
Have you ever been lonely, do you have any fun?
Do you ever think of me, I’m just another one , yea
You never give me no answer, you never tell me the truth
There’s never been any reason for me to think about you
There’s never been any reason
There’s never been any reason, yea haa
There’s never been any reason
Save my life I’m going down for the last time.
Woman with a sweet lovin’ better than a white line
Don’t you know she could bring a good feelin’ ain’t had in such a long time
Save my life I’m going down for the last time, woah (repeat 5xs)
Source: LyricFind
Songwriter: Michael A. Somerville
Never Been Any Reason lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
https://www.google.com/search?q=Lyrics+Never+been+any+reason&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&client=firefox-b-1
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Head_East
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Other Notable Musicians’ Deaths…
March 2020
4: Adelaide Chiozzo, 88, Brazilian actress and accordionist.
3: Alf Cranner, 83, Norwegian folk singer.
1: Jan Vycítal, 77, Czech caricaturist and country music singer-songwriter: Peter Wieland, 89, German singer and entertainer.
February 2020
29: Odile Pierre, 87, French organist and composer.
28: Simon Posthuma, 81, Dutch artist and musician (The Fool); Mike Somerville, 67, American rock guitarist (Head East) and songwriter (“Never Been Any Reason”).
27: Suthep Wongkamhaeng, 85, Thai luk krung singer.
26: Eduardo Bort, 72, Spanish guitarist; Hans Deinzer, 86, German clarinetist; Sergei Dorensky, 88, Russian pianist; Nick Apollo Forte, 81, American musician and actor (Broadway Danny Rose); Lionel D, 61, French radio host and rapper.