10 Facts About Michael Been

Michael Kenneth Been was an American rock musician who achieved critical attention and rotation play on MTV in the 1980s with his band The Call.

Michael Been later released an album of his solo work and toured with his son's band Black Rebel Motorcycle Club.

Michael Been's song "Let the Day Begin" was the official campaign song of Al Gore's 2000 US presidential campaign.

Michael Been played bass on the first two albums by 2nd Chapter of Acts, their 1974 album With Footnotes and their 1975 album In the Volume of the Book, as well as Barry McGuire's 1974 release, Lighten Up.

Michael Been participated in composing and performing the music to Paul Schrader's 1992 film Light Sleeper.

Michael Been appeared as a sideman in bands fronted by actor Harry Dean Stanton; Stanton having played harmonica on the Let the Day Begin track, "For Love".

Michael Been played the apostle John in Martin Scorsese's 1988 feature film The Last Temptation of Christ and had some film credits.

Michael Been recorded an album of solo material in the 1990s that remains unreleased.

Michael Been was heavily involved in BRMC as their sound engineer and toured with them.

Michael Been died at the age of 60 on August 19,2010, in Hasselt, Belgium, of a heart attack while at the Pukkelpop 2010 music festival where he was on-tour as a sound man for Black Rebel Motorcycle Club.