The Call's Michael Been Dies of Heart Attack at B.R.M.C. Show

I just heard the news of Michael's death and I'm devastated. I've been listening to The Call for close to 30 years now and I think they were one of the best bands to ever exist. Their lyrics, and to a large part Michael's lyrics, are powerful and must be read and not just listened to get their full impact. This is truly poetry to music.

I had the pleasure of seeing them three times here in Madison, WI and treasure my autographed CD inserts from the last time at the Club Tavern in Middleton. I took 6 inserts along and asked if they would sign each one. Michael laughed and said he didn't realize they had so many.

My condolences to Michael's family, Scott, Tom, Jim and all his other bandmates. A genius will be greatly missed. Peace be with you Michael.

The Call's "Modern Romans" was their masterpiece in my book. Under-rated and under-appreciated, as usual. They managed to combine the passion of punk with the accessibility of rock and the novel appeal of new-wave. What made that record special to me, though, is that it articulated a relevant, prophetic Christian message while engaging (and, yes, upbraiding) the culture. Listening to it made me more hopeful about my faith, made me believe that it was possible to be a Christian and really be salt and light in the world. A belated thank you, Michael Been. Godspeed.

Mixed monitors for Michael/The Call after he fired everyone else the company that was doing his tour sound in the summer of 88. He didn't yell at me like everyone said he was gonna so I guess he liked my mix. GREAT BAND.
Didn't see him again until last year at a club - he was mixing BRMC. I gave him some shit about the good old days, and sat with him at my console while he mixed. SOUNDED GREAT. Michael had some amazing ears, and he took It like a man when I bothered him about how he could mix with a flashlight in his mouth - and what exactly that signified...LOL
My moment with the man...
Rest in Peace Michael, Robert loves you so much for being the father your were to him.

I grew up with Mike in Oklahoma and have been to many backstage performances thanks to Mike I love you like my brother and I will miss you.If I can be any help please contact me via Email.I had asked a musician about Mike thursday night August 19 and he was getting ready to borrow instraments from the Calls bass player and I gave Bobby Walker my card to get to Mike hopefully.Too late rest in piece Brother Love Tom

I saw The Call here in Columbia, MO at The Blue Note. My buddy taped the show, and I cherish it. I'll be wearing their 1989 World Tour t-shirt today. Michael's lyrics were among the most thoughtful in rock. They had a spiritual message if you were so inclined, yet had meaning for humanists such as myself. I had always hoped for a resurgence in the Call's popularity; it wasn't for lack of talent or meaning that it didn't happen. As others have said, he was doing what he loved. Long live rock!

i saw the Call several times in the 80s and 90s in Chicago....a consistently great band!...and Michael Been had a marvelous voice and presence....RIP to Michael...you will be missed...(and glad to see his son is following in his footsteps...BRMC is a good band...play Red Eyes and Tears for maximum enjoyment!)

I like BRMC, and wasn't aware of the Call's Michael Been's connection to the band. I think BRMC had one hit, and haven't been heard from since. That's the problem with even Modern Rock stations--their playlist is limited. Songs like "Reason is Treason" by Kasabian or "Walking with a Ghost" by Teagan & Sarah are quickly forgotten, while Muse and the Killers are played to death!

I remember the Call having three hit songs in the 1980s: "The Walls Cane Down"; "I Still Believe"; and "Let the Day Begin". I found "I Still Believe" to be a decent song, but somewhat lackluster. I found myself cranking up "Let the Day Begin" at work on my Walkman in 1989. My all-time favorite would have to be the band's first hit song: "The Walls Came Down."

Sanctuary fades
the congregation splits
Nightly military raids
the congregation splits

It's a song of assassins
ringing in your ears
We've got terrorists thinking
playing on fears

(...Reminds me of the right wing ignoring church-state separation and interfering in the internal affairs of minority religions in this country.)

Wake up! Wake up!

(...yells Michael Been, as the music fades.)

Great on Guitar ... At least he died with "his boots on" doing what he liked doing best ... unfortunately the name of the festival was the PUKE lpop ... (I hope Pue means somethng else in la Belge. ... and if the heart attack had happened in the USA we still have good trauma centers (soon to be Obama'd (gone))Good guitarist though.

Just corporate criminals playing with Tanks! RIP

great musical talent, he will be missed. the reconciled, and red moon are amazing records. "ive seen lows, ive seen highs. ive seen days when i had to cry. the light fades and the night comes. the streets are dark and dangerous. i dream of an old friend, of quiet talks that never end. love comes, love goes and the world goes by"...