Love Me Tonight

Zoo Freaks, the Zoo Crew is spinning the classic track "Love Me Tonight" by Head East from their iconic album Flat as a Pancake, and this song has some cool stories behind it. Written by guitarist Mike Somerville, "Love Me Tonight" hit #54 on the Billboard charts, a solid follow-up to their bigger anthem "Never Been Any Reason." Fans on Reddit have called it a standout, with one user declaring it the best song on the album for its bright acoustic guitar and tight harmonies. A concertgoer from a 1976 show in Yellowstone Metra, shared on A&M Corner Forums, recalled lead singer John Schlitt rocking a mirrored denim outfit that lit up the arena like a disco ball during this track. The song’s free-spirited lyrics, like “I believe you’ve got exactly what I need,” scream 1975’s laid-back vibe, as noted in a Riverfront Times review, capturing the era’s carefree love ethos.

Another tidbit comes from the album’s production. Head East recorded Flat as a Pancake independently at Golden Voice Recording Studio in South Pekin, Illinois, releasing it on their own Pyramid Records in 1974. They sold all 5,000 vinyls and 500 eight-tracks, which caught the ear of A&M Records, who re-released it in 1975. "Love Me Tonight" benefited from Midwest radio stations like KSHE 95 in St. Louis, which pushed the album to gold status by 1978. A fan on Classic Rock Forums mentioned how the song’s jaunty keyboards and guitar riffs made it a live favorite, especially in the Midwest where the band packed venues. The track’s vibe even earned it a spot in the 1979 live double-LP Head East Live!, cementing its place in their setlists.

Head East got their start in the late 1960s in Illinois, formed by a group of college students with a passion for rock. Singer John Schlitt, guitarist Danny Piper, keyboardist Roger Boyd, bassist Larry Boyd, and drummer Steve Huston came together while most were studying at the University of Illinois, with Huston at Eastern Illinois University nearby. According to their Wikipedia page, the band’s name came from a spontaneous suggestion by Huston, though some members later disputed this tale. They honed their sound playing local gigs, blending hard rock with southern and progressive influences. By 1972, Piper left, and Mike Somerville stepped in on guitar, followed by Dan Birney replacing Larry Boyd on bass in 1974. This lineup crafted Flat as a Pancake, which became their breakthrough, driven by their Midwest work ethic and radio support.

The band’s journey wasn’t without bumps. By 1980, Schlitt was fired due to substance issues, later finding success with Christian rock band Petra, as noted in a Reddit post about his brief reunion with Head East in 2024. Somerville and Birney also left in 1980, but the band, led by Roger Boyd—the only original member still active—kept touring. They were inducted into the Iowa Rock & Roll Music Association Hall of Fame in 2011, a nod to their Midwest legacy. Fans can connect with Head East on their official website, Facebook, and X. Their Instagram presence is less clear, with no verified account found, but fans share love on pages like Head East Fan Club on Facebook. For more fan vibes, check out discussions on Classic Rock Forums or catch setlists at setlist.fm.