Head East - The Midwest's Legendary Classic Rock Band
 

Alumni Photos & Bios # 3


  • Jean Mullen
  • In Memory of
    Jean Mullen

    Jean Francis Mullen, died tragically in an auto accident in Utah on August 29, 1978 at the age of 26. Jean was born in Hondo, Texas where she lived until the age of 16 when her family moved to Springfield, Illinois where she graduated in 1970.

    Jean was a sophomore at Illinois State University in Normal, Illinois when she auditioned for and was selected as the new lead vocalist for Head East in 1972. After a year of singing hard rock music in smoke-filled venues, Jean's voice began to feel the strain and she decided to leave the band and step out on her own as a solo performer. In January of 1975, Jean performed on the Tonight Show singing "House at Pooh Corner" written by Kenny Loggins. Jean moved to California in 1975 and in 1977 she formed the Jean Mullen Band. While based in the Los Angeles area, Jean found inspiration and love in the Sierra Mountains and wrote many songs about the beauty of the mountains, the fresh air, the trees, rivers, and her feelings of love.

    You can learn more about Jean and listen to some of her songs on Jean's Website and on YouTube.

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  • Dan Birney
  • In Memory of
    Dan Birney

    Daniel Wayne Birney, 52, Head East bassist from 1974 until 1980, died of cardiovascular disease on 9 August 2003 in Phoenix, Arizona. Dan was born in Cedar Rapids, Iowa on 21 August 1950.

    Dan joined Head East in 1974 replacing original Head East bass player Larry Boyd just a few weeks before the band began recording their first album Flat As A Pancake, and had to virtually learn the songs in the recording studio. He was the author of several Head East songs that were fan favorites including Monkey Shine, Dancer Road, and Nothing To Lose. Dan left the band in the spring of 1980 and moved his family to Seattle where he worked with several radio stations before returning to Cedar Rapids, Iowa where he worked at radio station Q103.

    In 1984 he moved to Arizona where he worked in real estate and also operated a pool cleaning business. Dan never returned to the music business but did make a special guest appearance on Head East's 1988 release Choice of Weapons.

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  • Kurt Hansen
  • In Memory of
    Kurt Hansen

    Kurt David Hansen, born 25 October 1957 in Waterloo, Iowa, died on 16 December 2003 in Bremerton, Washington. Kurt was raised in Iowa and graduated from Ames High School in 1976 before heading west.

    Kurt developed an interest in music at an early age and upon moving to Washington State in the late 70s he became a member of the prog/rock group Lion.

    He later joined Head East on bass and vocals in the mid-80s and would remain with the band for a little over a decade. Kurt wrote two songs, "Hard To Believe" and "Time Of Your Life", that were included on Head East's 1988 release "Choice Of Weapons".

    In 1997, Kurt released an eleven track solo project titled "Distance" that would be his last. Tracks included several of Kurt's original compositions as well as a cover of Lennon & McCartney's, "The Night Before" from the Beatles' 1965 album "Help!".

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  • View individual band member bios and photos
  • View vintage group photos from 1969 to 2011
  • View classic concert photos from the 70s
  • Head East 2023 live concert photos





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