Love Me Tonight (Live 1979)

The Zoo Crew is cranking up the vibes at THE ZOO radio station, spinning the infectious "Love Me Tonight (Live 1979)" by Head East from their high-energy double-LP Head East Live! for all the Zoo Freaks out there. This track, captured during their 1978 Midwest tour, showcases the band’s raw, live prowess, with Mike Somerville’s searing guitar riffs and John Schlitt’s dynamic vocals driving the crowd wild. According to a review on Rate Your Music, the song’s strong melody held up exceptionally well in the live setting, with fans screaming their approval in the background, making it a standout moment on the album. The live version, released in January 1979 on A&M Records, was part of a set that aimed to give the band some creative breathing room after four studio albums, as noted on GloryDaze Info. One fun tidbit from the era: the band performed at the Culver Academies Graduation party in 1979, a gig previously headlined by Styx, showing their Midwest rock dominance.

Delving into the song’s roots, "Love Me Tonight" was originally penned by guitarist Mike Somerville for Head East’s 1975 debut album, Flat as a Pancake. It became a minor hit, peaking at #54 on the Billboard Hot 100, as mentioned on JazzRockSoul.com. The track’s catchy hooks and Southern rock-tinged energy made it a fan favorite, especially in the Midwest, where stations like KSHE 95 in St. Louis championed the band. A commenter on Reddit raved about the live album’s guitar tones, calling them some of their favorites, which highlights the song’s enduring appeal in its live form. The 1979 recording, available on platforms like YouTube, captures the band at their creative peak, with Roger Boyd’s keyboards adding a distinctive layer to the performance. Fans on Amazon have praised the album’s exceptional recording quality, noting the band’s mastery of their craft by this point.

Head East got their start in 1969 in Illinois, formed by a group of University of Illinois students: singer John Schlitt, keyboardist Roger Boyd, bassist Larry Boyd, drummer Steve Huston, and guitarist Danny Piper. As detailed on Wikipedia, the band came together while Schlitt, Roger, and Larry were studying in Champaign-Urbana, with Huston at Eastern Illinois University and Piper joining as a non-student. They honed their hard rock sound in Midwest clubs and high school gyms, building a loyal following. Their breakthrough came with their independently released debut, Flat as a Pancake, on their own Pyramid Records in 1975. The album’s lead single, "Never Been Any Reason," caught fire on Midwest radio, leading A&M Records to sign them and re-release the album, which went gold by 1978. The band’s relentless touring and radio support from stations like KY-102 in Kansas City cemented their regional stardom, with "Love Me Tonight" and their cover of "Since You Been Gone" further boosting their profile.

Today, Head East remains active, led by Roger Boyd, the sole original member, and continues to tour the Midwest, playing 30 to 40 shows annually. You can stay updated on their official website at head-east.com, where you’ll find tour dates and band history. Their Facebook page is a hub for show announcements and fan interactions, while their Instagram offers behind-the-scenes glimpses of their performances. On X, they share quick updates and engage with fans. For Zoo Freaks looking to connect with other fans, the Head East Fan Club on Facebook is a vibrant community where enthusiasts share memories, photos, and discuss the band’s legacy. Whether you’re spinning their live tracks at THE ZOO or catching them live, Head East’s music keeps the classic rock spirit alive.