| America | |
|---|---|
| Origin | London |
| Genre(s) | Folk rock |
| Years active | 1970 – present |
| Label(s) | Warner Bros., Capitol, Rhino, American Gramaphone, Oxygen Records, Burgundy |
| Website | Official Website |
| Members | |
| Gerry Beckley Dewey Bunnell Willie Leacox Michael Woods Richard Campbell |
|
| Former members | |
| Dan Peek Joe Osborn Sara Grueber Hal Blaine David Dickey Jim Calire Tom Walsh Tony Garofolo Brad Palmer |
|
America is an English-American folk rock band, originally composed of members Gerry Beckley, Dewey Bunnell, and Dan Peek. London ( ˈlʌndən is the capital and largest urban area in the United Kingdom. A music genre is a categorical and typological construct that identifies musical sounds as belonging to a particular category and type of music that can be distinguished from other Folk rock is a musical genre combining elements of Folk music and rock music. In the Music industry, a record label can be a Brand and a Trademark associated with the Marketing of music recordings and Music Warner Bros Records Inc is an American Record label that operates as a wholly owned Subsidiary of Warner Music Group. Capitol Records is a major United States -based Record label owned by EMI and located in Hollywood California and New York City as Rhino Entertainment Company is an American specialty Record label and production company owned by Warner Music Group. American Gramaphone is an American record company and was formed in 1974 by Chip Davis. Burgundy Records is an American Record label, and Subsidiary of Sony BMG. Gerald Linford "Gerry" Beckley (born September 12 1952 in Fort Worth Texas) is a founding member of the Rock band America Dewey Bunnell (born 19 January 1951, in Harrogate, Yorkshire, England) is an Anglo-American Musician, Singer Richard Campbell may refer to Rich Campbell (American football (born 1958 former National Football League quarterback Richard Campbell (musician Dan Peek (born 1 November 1950, Panama City, Florida) was a member of the Rock band, America from 1970 to 1977 together Joe Osborn (born 1937 in Mound in Madison Parish in northeastern Louisiana) is an American Bass guitar virtuoso notable for his work as a Hal Blaine (born Harold Simon Belsky 5 February 1929, Holyoke Massachusetts) is an US Drummer and Session musician English Americans (occasionally known as Anglo -Americans although this may have a wider cultural meaning are Citizens of the United States whose ancestry Folk rock is a musical genre combining elements of Folk music and rock music. Gerald Linford "Gerry" Beckley (born September 12 1952 in Fort Worth Texas) is a founding member of the Rock band America Dewey Bunnell (born 19 January 1951, in Harrogate, Yorkshire, England) is an Anglo-American Musician, Singer Dan Peek (born 1 November 1950, Panama City, Florida) was a member of the Rock band, America from 1970 to 1977 together The three members were barely past their teenage years when they became an overnight musical sensation in 1972. They reached a peak in popularity in the early to mid 1970s and early 1980s. This article is about the Decade 1970-1979 For the Year 1970 see 1970. The 1980s was the decade spanning from January 1 1980 to December 31 1989. Among the band's best known songs are "A Horse with No Name," "Sister Golden Hair" (both of which reached Number 1), "Ventura Highway," and "Tin Man". " A Horse with No Name " is a song by the band America and their first single " Sister Golden Hair " is a popular song written by Gerry Beckley and recorded by the band America for their fifth album Hearts (1975 For the section of US Route 101 in southern California, see Ventura Freeway.
Although their music was frequently derided by critics, from a commercial standpoint the band's singles and albums were exceptionally successful. They were popular enough to attract the services of famed Beatles producer George Martin for a run of seven albums. The Beatles were a pop and rock band from Liverpool, England formed in 1960 In the Music industry, a record producer or music producer has many roles among them controlling the recording sessions coaching and guiding the musicians organizing Sir George Henry Martin CBE (3 January 1926 is a British record producer arranger and Composer. An album or record album is a collection of related audio or Music tracks distributed to the public The band survived the loss of one of its original members near the peak of its success only to see Beckley and Bunnell return the act to the top of charts as a duo with "You Can Do Magic" in 1982. You Can Do Magic is an America Compilation album released in 1998 Consistently touring for well over three decades, America still maintains a strong following and performs over 100 shows per year. On January 16, 2007, America released Here & Now, the band's first major label studio album in over twenty years. Events 27 BC - The title Augustus is bestowed upon Gaius Julius Caesar Octavian by the Roman Senate. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Here & Now is the sixteenth original studio Album by American Folk rock duo America, released by Burgundy Records in January In the Music industry, a record label can be a Brand and a Trademark associated with the Marketing of music recordings and Music A studio album is an original collection of new tracks by a recording artist
Contents |
Original members
- Gerry Beckley (born September 12, 1952 in Fort Worth, Texas) 1970-present: Lead and backing vocals, keyboards, guitars, bass, harmonica, lap steel guitars
- Dewey Bunnell (born January 19, 1951 in Harrogate, Yorkshire, England) 1970-present: Lead and backing vocals, guitars
- Dan Peek (born November 1, 1950 in Panama City, Florida) 1970-1977: Lead and backing vocals, guitars, bass, keyboards, harmonica
Timeline of band
Early success (1970–1973)
Sons of American fathers and British mothers, their fathers being military personnel stationed at the United States Air Force installation at RAF West Ruislip, London, all three attended London Central High School, at High Wycombe in the mid-1960s where they met while playing in two different bands. Gerald Linford "Gerry" Beckley (born September 12 1952 in Fort Worth Texas) is a founding member of the Rock band America Events 1213 - Albigensian Crusade: Simon de Montfort 5th Earl of Leicester, defeats Peter II of Aragon at the Year 1952 ( MCMLII) was a Leap year starting on Tuesday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Fort Worth is the fifth-largest city in the state of Texas and the seventeenth-largest city in the United States. Texas ( is a state geographically located in the South Central United States and is also known as the Lone Star State. Dewey Bunnell (born 19 January 1951, in Harrogate, Yorkshire, England) is an Anglo-American Musician, Singer Events 1419 - Hundred Years' War: Rouen surrenders to Henry V of England completing his reconquest of Normandy. Year 1951 ( MCMLI) was a Common year starting on Monday. Events of 1951 January Harrogate (or Harrogate Spa) is a large wealthy Spa town in North Yorkshire, England. Yorkshire is a historic county of Northern England and the largest in Great Britain. England is a Country which is part of the United Kingdom. Its inhabitants account for more than 83% of the total UK population whilst its mainland Dan Peek (born 1 November 1950, Panama City, Florida) was a member of the Rock band, America from 1970 to 1977 together Events 996 - Emperor Otto III issues a deed to Gottschalk Bishop of Freising which is the oldest known document using the name Ostarrîchi Year 1950 ( MCML) was a Common year starting on Sunday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. The City of Panama City is a city located along US Highway 98 in Bay County Florida. Florida ( is a state located in the southeastern region of the United States, bordering Alabama to the northwest and Georgia to the The United States of America —commonly referred to as the The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom, the UK or Britain,is a Sovereign state located West Ruislip is a Network Rail station located on Ickenham Road between Ickenham and Ruislip in western Greater London; it is served by Ruislip (pronounced "rice-lip") is a place in the London Borough of Hillingdon, in west London, England Etymology London ( ˈlʌndən is the capital and largest urban area in the United Kingdom. London Central Elementary High School was a United States Department of Defense Dependents School ( DoDDS) in the Isles District of DoDDS Europe for pupils in grades See also High Wycombe Western Australia High Wycombe (hai ˈwɪk The 1960s decade refers to the years from the beginning of 1960 to the end of 1969
Peek left for the United States for an abortive attempt at college in 1969. Year 1969 ( MCMLXIX) was a Common year starting on Wednesday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Upon his return to the UK the following year, the three hooked up and began to collaborate on making music. Starting out with borrowed acoustic guitars, they developed a sound which incorporated three-part vocal harmony in the vein of contemporary folk-rock acts like Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young. Crosby Stills & Nash ( CSN) is a Folk rock / rock supergroup made up of David Crosby, Stephen Stills and Graham Nash
Eventually the trio dubbed themselves America, honoring the name of the homeland they had hardly ever seen during their many travels around the world. The liner notes to the 1975 compilation album "History- America's Greatest Hits", state the band took their name while listening to an Americana juke box. They played their first gigs in pubs and clubs in the London area, including some highlights at the Roundhouse, where Pink Floyd had been playing at the beginning of their own career. London ( ˈlʌndən is the capital and largest urban area in the United Kingdom. The Roundhouse is an arts venue in London, England. The Roundhouse has hosted notable performers Morrissey, The Stranglers, Sonic Youth Pink Floyd are
Their first LP was recorded at Trident Studios in London and produced by Ian Samwell. America is the Eponymous debut Album released by America in 1971. " A Horse with No Name " is a song by the band America and their first single Trident Studios was a British recording facility, located at 17 St Ian Samwell (19 January 1937 &mdash 13 March 2003 was an English Musician, Songwriter and Record producer, best known as the writer of Samwell was best known as Cliff Richard's lead guitarist and the writer of his 1958 breakthrough hit, "Move It". Sir Cliff Richard, OBE, (born Harry Roger Webb on 14 October 1940 is an English Singer, Actor and Businessman. " Move It " is a song recorded by Cliff Richard and the Drifters (the UK band that would evolve into The Shadows) Jeff Dexter, Ian's roommate and a fixture in the London music scene, co produced the album and became the trio's manager. Dexter also gave them their 1st major gig, December 20th 1970, at "Implosion" at the The Roundhouse Chalk Farm as the opening act to The Who, Elton John, Patto and The Chalk Farm Salvation Army Band & Choir for a Christmas charity event. The Roundhouse is an arts venue in London, England. The Roundhouse has hosted notable performers Morrissey, The Stranglers, Sonic Youth Chalk Farm is an area of the Borough of Camden in north London, England. Although the trio initially envisioned recording the album along the lines of the Beatles' Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band, Samwell steered them toward perfecting their acoustic style instead. The Beatles were a pop and rock band from Liverpool, England formed in 1960 Sgt Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band is the eighth studio album by the British rock band The Beatles. The album, simply titled America, was initially released in 1971 to only moderate success, although it took off in Holland where Dexter had taken them as a training ground to hone their stagecraft. America is the Eponymous debut Album released by America in 1971. Year 1971 ( MCMLXXI) was a Common year starting on Friday (link will display full calendar of the 1971 Gregorian calendar. Samwell and Dexter subsequently brought the trio to Morgan Studios to record several additional songs. One of them was a piece written by Bunnell called "Desert Song", which Dexter had made an earlier demo of during studio rehearsals in Puddletown, Dorset at the home of Arthur 'God of Hellfire' Brown. The song had its public debut at The Harrogate Festival, four days later, to great audience response. After several performances and a TV show, it was re-titled "A Horse with No Name". The song became a major worldwide hit in early 1972. Year 1972 ( MCMLXXII) was a Leap year starting on Saturday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. America's debut album was re-released with the hit song newly added, and quickly went platinum. The album spawned a second major chart hit with Beckley's "I Need You", which peaked at #9 on the U. S. charts. Other fan favorites from the album included "Sandman", "Riverside" and "Three Roses". Flush with success from their initial offering, the trio decided to dump Samwell and Dexter, and relocate to Los Angeles, California, home to such popular contemporary acts as The Eagles and Linda Ronstadt. Los Angeles (lɑˈsændʒələs los ˈaŋxeles in Spanish) is the largest City in the state of California and the American West California ( is a US state on the West Coast of the United States, along the Pacific Ocean. Linda Maria Ronstadt (born July 15 1946 in Tucson Arizona) is an American popular vocalist and Entertainer whose vocal styles in a variety Plans to record a follow-up album were delayed somewhat both by the move and an injury to Peek's arm. Deciding not to replace Samwell, the group opted to produce the album by themselves. The trio began their move away from a purely acoustic approach to a more rock-oriented sound with the help of Hal Blaine on drums and Joe Osborn on bass. Hal Blaine (born Harold Simon Belsky 5 February 1929, Holyoke Massachusetts) is an US Drummer and Session musician Joe Osborn (born 1937 in Mound in Madison Parish in northeastern Louisiana) is an American Bass guitar virtuoso notable for his work as a Peek began to play lead electric guitar on more tracks. Braydens Invention.
America's second album, appropriately titled Homecoming, was released in November 1972. Homecoming is a 1972 (see 1972 in music) album by America. Acoustic guitar -based with a more pronounced Electric guitar Year 1972 ( MCMLXXII) was a Leap year starting on Saturday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. The group struck gold yet again with the Top Ten hit "Ventura Highway", penned by Bunnell and best remembered for a unique acoustic guitar riff added late in the recording process by Beckley. For the section of US Route 101 in southern California, see Ventura Freeway. Follow-up singles, including Peek's Don't Cross the River and Beckley's "Only In Your Heart", were somewhat less successful, but not enough to deny the group a Grammy Award for Best New Artist of 1972. " Don't Cross the River " is a single by the group America from their second album Homecoming, released in 1972 The Grammy Awards (originally called the Gramophone Awards)—or Grammys —are presented annually by the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences The Grammy for Best New Artist has been awarded since 1960 ( Bobby Darin being the first artist to win it Year 1972 ( MCMLXXII) was a Leap year starting on Saturday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar.
The group's output became increasingly ambitious. Their third offering, Hat Trick, was released in October 1973 after several months of recording at the Record Plant Studios in Los Angeles. Hat Trick is the third original studio Album by American Folk rock trio America, released by Warner Bros Year 1973 ( MCMLXXIII) was a Common year starting on Monday (link will display full calendar of the 1973 Gregorian calendar. Record Plant Studios (also known as just " The Record Plant " were three famous Recording studios which were started and run by Gary Kellgren (who Again self-produced, the album featured strings, harmonicas, an eight-minute title track, and tap dancing. Beckley, Bunnell, and Peek were once again joined by Blaine on drums, while Osborn was replaced by David Dickey on bass. Although the album's title hinted at the trio's commercial ambitions, the album was not as successful as Homecoming, featuring only one minor hit single, "Muskrat Love". "Muskrat," penned by Texas folk singer Willis Alan Ramsey, would later become famous as a Top Ten hit by Captain & Tennille in 1976. Willis Alan Ramsey (born 1951 is an American Singer / Songwriter, a cult legend among fans of Americana and Texas country Captain & Tennille are US Pop music recording artists who achieved recording chart success from 1976-80 with a repertoire of romance and novelty hit songs Year 1976 ( MCMLXXVI) was a Leap year starting on Thursday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar.
The George Martin years (1974-1979)
After the disappointing commercial performance of Hat Trick, America opted to produce their next album with outside help. They were able to secure the services of perhaps the most legendary producer of the rock era, George Martin, who played a major role in shaping the sound of the Beatles during the mid- to late-1960s. Sir George Henry Martin CBE (3 January 1926 is a British record producer arranger and Composer. The Beatles were a pop and rock band from Liverpool, England formed in 1960 The 1960s decade refers to the years from the beginning of 1960 to the end of 1969 As America had developed a reputation for lengthy studio sessions, Martin agreed on the condition that the group record its next album in the UK. As it turned out, Beckley, Bunnell, and Peek were so intent on impressing Martin that they came to the studio with their tracks well rehearsed, and the album was cut within a few weeks in early 1974. Year 1974 ( MCMLXXIV) was a Common year starting on Tuesday (link will display full calendar of the 1974 Gregorian calendar.
The resulting album, Holiday, was released in June 1974. Holiday is the fourth original studio Album by American Folk rock band America, released by Warner Bros Year 1974 ( MCMLXXIV) was a Common year starting on Tuesday (link will display full calendar of the 1974 Gregorian calendar. (By this time the group had consciously begun naming their albums with titles starting with the letter "H". ) Under Martin's guidance, the album's sound marked a sharp break from America's first three efforts, as he embellished the trademark America sound of acoustic guitars and vocals with an abundance of strings and brass.
The trio soon found themselves in the Top Ten once again with the first single from Holiday, the Bunnell-penned "Tin Man", which reached #4, featuring cryptic lyrics set to a Wizard of Oz theme. Peek's inspirational "Lonely People" followed "Tin Man" into the Top Ten in early 1975, peaking at #5. Year 1975 ( MCMLXXV) was a Common year starting on Wednesday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar.
Martin agreed to work with the trio again for their follow-up LP, Hearts, recorded in Sausalito, California and released in March 1975. Hearts is the fifth original studio Album by American Folk rock trio America, released by Warner Bros Sausalito (from Spanish: sauzalito "small willow grove" from sauce "willow" + collective derivative -al meaning "place Year 1975 ( MCMLXXV) was a Common year starting on Wednesday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. America scored its second chart topping hit with Beckley's "Sister Golden Hair" in mid-1975, a song which featured a memorable guitar riff admittedly inspired by George Harrison's "My Sweet Lord. " Sister Golden Hair " is a popular song written by Gerry Beckley and recorded by the band America for their fifth album Hearts (1975 George Harrison, MBE (25 February 1943 – 29 November 2001 was an English rock Guitarist Singer - Songwriter, Author " My Sweet Lord " is a song by former Beatles lead guitarist George Harrison from his UK number one hit triple album All Things Must Pass " The follow-up single, Beckley's ballad "Daisy Jane", also nicked the Top Twenty later in 1975. Peek's reggae-influenced "Woman Tonight" was a third and final hit from the album. Reggae is a Music genre first developed in Jamaica in the late 1960s
Warner Bros. released a compilation of America's best-known tracks in December 1975, History: America's Greatest Hits, which itself soon went platinum. History America's Greatest Hits is the first compilation Album by American Folk rock trio America, released by Warner Bros Martin, who produced the album, got the opportunity to remix tracks selected from the group's first three albums recorded prior to his stint as producer.
In early 1976, the group recorded its sixth studio album at Caribou Ranch near Nederland, CO, lending the album's title, Hideaway. Year 1976 ( MCMLXXVI) was a Leap year starting on Thursday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Caribou Ranch was a Recording studio built by producer James William Guercio in 1972 in a converted barn on ranch property in the Rocky Mountains near The Town of Nederland is a Statutory Town located in the mountains of Boulder County, Colorado, United States. Hideaway is the sixth original studio Album by American Folk rock trio America, released by Warner Bros Martin was again at the helm. Released in April 1976, the LP was not quite as successful as Holiday or Hearts, although it did spawn two hit singles. Year 1976 ( MCMLXXVI) was a Leap year starting on Thursday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. "Today's the Day", a Top Forty hit written by Peek, was actually inspired by the tendency of his dog to run away. "Amber Cascades" featured Bunnell's trademark opaque but evocative lyrics and unusual chord arrangements, and made a brief appearance on the charts in mid-1976.
Martin and the trio headed to Hawaii in late 1976 to work on the group's seventh studio album. The State of Hawaii ( or həˈwaɪʔiː Hawaiian: Mokuāina o Hawaii) is a state in the United States located on an Archipelago in the The album was recorded in a beach house on the island of Kauai. Kauai (in standard Hawaiian kauˈaʔi in Kauai- Ni{{okina}}ihau dialect; usually spelled Kauai outside the Hawaiian Islands and ˈkaʊɑɪ or /kaʊˈɑɪ/ The album, entitled Harbor, ultimately continued the trend of declining fortunes for the group. Harbor is the seventh original studio Album by American Folk rock trio America, released by Warner Bros It was their first album which failed to go either platinum or gold, and for the first time, the group was unable to muster a hit single.
Shortly after Harbor was released in February 1977, Dan Peek left the band. Also 1977 (album by Ash. Year 1977 ( MCMLXXVII) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link displays Dan Peek (born 1 November 1950, Panama City, Florida) was a member of the Rock band, America from 1970 to 1977 together Peek recently had renewed his Christian faith after years of unhappy recreational drug use and a fast lifestyle, and had begun to seek a different artistic direction than Beckley or Bunnell. A Christian is a person who adheres to Christianity, a monotheistic Religion centered on the life and teachings of Jesus of Nazareth Recreational drug use is the use of Psychoactive drugs for Recreational purposes rather than for work, medical or spiritual purposes Peek went on to sign with Pat Boone's Lamb & Lion Records, and issued his first solo album, All Things Are Possible, in 1978. Charles Eugene "Pat" Boone (born June 1 1934) is an American Singer whose smooth style made him a popular performer of the 1950s The album, produced by Chris Christian, proved successful, and Peek found a niche as a pioneering artist in the emerging Christian pop music genre. Chris Christian (born as Lon Christian Smith in Abilene Texas) is a Songwriter, Record producer, and a record label executive The title track even entered the Billboard pop charts in the fall of 1979, peaking at #79.
Meanwhile, Beckley and Bunnell decided to soldier on as America. They wrapped up their contract with Warner Bros. by releasing their first concert LP, Live, in October 1977. Live is the first official live Album by American Folk rock duo America, released by Warner Bros Also 1977 (album by Ash. Year 1977 ( MCMLXXVII) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link displays Recorded at the Greek Theater in Los Angeles, the performance featured a backing orchestra conducted by Elmer Bernstein. Elmer Bernstein ( April 4 1922 - 18 August 2004) was an Academy and two-time Golden Globe award winning American The concert was recorded shortly after Peek left the group, making it America's first release as a duo. The album spent a brief sojourn on the pop charts.
America: the Capitol years (1979-1985)
After more than two years without new studio material, in March 1979 Beckley and Bunnell rolled out the group's new look with a cover of The Mamas & The Papas classic song, "California Dreamin'", part of the soundtrack for the movie "California Dreaming. Year 1979 ( MCMLXXIX) was a Common year starting on Monday (link displays the 1979 Gregorian calendar) The Mamas & the Papas (credited as The Mama's and the Papa's on the debut album cover were a Vocal group of the 1960s. " California Dreamin' " is a song by The Mamas & the Papas, first released in 1965. " Although the movie was a commercial flop and the soundtrack was issued on an obscure label called American Int'l, the single nonetheless made it as high as #56 on the charts.
America's first studio album without Peek, Silent Letter, was released in June 1979 on their new label, Capitol Records. Silent Letter is the eighth original studio Album by American Folk rock duo America, released by Capitol Records in Year 1979 ( MCMLXXIX) was a Common year starting on Monday (link displays the 1979 Gregorian calendar) Capitol Records is a major United States -based Record label owned by EMI and located in Hollywood California and New York City as The album, once again produced by Martin, was recorded in Montserrat in the West Indies by the members of the live band, which by then had grown to include Beckley, Bunnell, bassist David Dickey, longtime drummer Willie Leacox, new lead guitarist Michael Woods, Jim Calire on keyboards and sax, and Tom Walsh on percussion. Montserrat (ˌmɒntsəˈræt is British overseas territory located in the Leeward Islands, part of the chain of islands called the Lesser Antilles The Caribbean (ˌkærəˡbiən kæ'rəbiən Cariben|Caraïben or Caraïben; Caraïbe or more commonly Antilles; Caribe is a Region consisting The album featured a more edgy sound than their previous material, and the group began to utilize songs from other songwriters as they sought out a winning commercial approach. Bunnell observed that Silent Letter's first single, the power-pop oriented "Only Game In Town", was prompted by the Fleetwood Mac sound then in vogue on FM radio. Fleetwood Mac are a British / American See also Frequency modulation, FM band FM broadcasting is a broadcast Technology invented by Edwin Howard Armstrong that "Game" was unable to break into the pop charts, however, although two subsequent Beckley singles, "All My Life" and "All Around", did made inroads on the adult charts. The album itself rose no higher than #110 on the charts, leading a befuddled Bunnell to sarcastically dub the album Silent Record.
America continued to evolve as the 1980s began. For their next album, Alibi, released in August 1980, Beckley and Bunnell sought fresh blood in the form of producers Matthew McCauley and Fred Mollin. Alibi is the ninth original studio Album by American Folk rock duo America, released by Capitol Records in 1980 Year 1980 ( MCMLXXX) was a Leap year starting on Tuesday (link displays the 1980 Gregorian calendar) They also reached out to key players from the West Coast music scene, such as the Eagles' Timothy B. Schmit, Leland Sklar and Steve Lukather, to help smooth their sound. Timothy Bruce Schmit (born October 30, 1947, in Oakland, California) is an American Bass guitar player and Singer Leland "Lee" Bruce Sklar (born May 28, 1947) is an American Musician, Singer-songwriter and Film score composer Steve "Luke" Lukather (born October 21, 1957) is an American Grammy Award winning Guitarist, Singer, Alibi eschewed the strings and brass of the typical Martin project in favor of a more tightly-crafted pop-rock approach. It also became the third studio album in a row without a hit single in the United States, although Beckley's "Survival" reached the top of the charts in Italy. The album's sales were less than stellar, peaking at #142.
America's next album, View From The Ground, released in July 1982, finally succeeded in bringing Beckley and Bunnell back to commercial success. View From the Ground is the tenth original studio Album by American Folk rock duo America, released by Capitol Records Year 1982 ( MCMLXXXII) was a Common year starting on Friday (link displays the 1982 Gregorian calendar) The album, recorded under the working title Two Car Garage, featured a number of songs produced by the duo themselves. As with Alibi, Beckley and Bunnell brought in a number of talented musicians, including the Beach Boys' Carl Wilson, Toto's Jeff Porcaro, Christopher Cross and Dean Parks. The Beach Boys is an American rock band Formed in 1961 the group gained popularity for its close vocal harmonies and lyrics reflecting a California Youth culture Carl Dean Wilson ( December 21, 1946 – February 6, 1998) was an American Rock and roll Singer and Guitarist Toto was a Grammy Award winning American rock band founded in 1977 by some of the most popular and experienced Session musicians of Jeffrey Thomas Porcaro ( April 1, 1954 – August 5, 1992) was a highly regarded session drummer and a founding member of the Christopher Cross (born Christopher Geppert on May 3, 1951) is an American Singer-songwriter from San Antonio, Dean Parks is a leading Studio musician and Guitarist from Los Angeles California, best-known through his many contributions to albums by Steely Dan But it was former Argent frontman Russ Ballard who made the biggest impact on the group's fortunes. Argent were an English rock band founded in 1969 by Keyboardist Rod Argent, formerly of The Zombies. Russ Ballard (born 31 October 1945 Waltham Cross, Hertfordshire, England) is an English Singer-songwriter and Musician Ballard produced and played most of the instruments on a song he crafted especially for the band, called "You Can Do Magic". The song rose quickly through the pop charts, and reached as high as #8 on the Billboard pop singles chart for a number of weeks in October 1982, the band's first major hit in seven years. Year 1982 ( MCMLXXXII) was a Common year starting on Friday (link displays the 1982 Gregorian calendar) Following "Magic" was the single "Right Before Your Eyes" an homage to silent movie stars better known to listeners as "Rudolph Valentino" due to its memorable refrain. Penned by Ian Thomas (brother of comedian Dave Thomas of Strange Brew fame), and produced by Bobby Colomby, the single barely missed the Top Forty in early 1983. Ian Thomas may refer to Major W Ian Thomas (1914–2007 Christian speaker and author Ian Thomas (1929–1993 dressmaker to Queen Elizabeth See the David Thomas disambiguation page for other people with this name The Adventures of Bob & Doug McKenzie Strange Brew is a 1983 film starring the popular SCTV characters Bob & Doug McKenzie, played Bobby Colomby (born Robert Wayne Colomby 20 December 1944, in New York) was a founder and innovative Jazz - rock fusion Drummer Year 1983 ( MCMLXXXIII) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link displays the 1983 Gregorian calendar) Although View From The Ground failed to achieve gold sales, it reached as high as #41 on the album charts, a significant improvement over the previous few releases.
Having tasted success with Ballard, Beckley and Bunnell decided to have the former Argent star produce their next album, Your Move, in its entirety. Your Move is the eleventh original studio Album by American Folk rock duo America, released by Capitol Records in In the end, Ballard wound up writing most of the songs and performing most of the instruments in addition to his production duties. For the most part Beckley and Bunnell were singers on an album that Ballard had crafted for them, although they did contribute some material of their own. On one track, Bunnell decided to rewrite Ballard's lyrics, and the hit song "The Border" was the result. Set to the backing of the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra and the saxophone work of Raphael Ravenscroft, the single reached #33 on the charts in August 1983. The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra ( RPO) is a British Orchestra based in London. Raphael Ravenscroft is a Saxophone player whose performing credits include work with ABBA, America, Kim Carnes, Marvin Gaye Year 1983 ( MCMLXXXIII) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link displays the 1983 Gregorian calendar) "The Border" was far more successful on the adult contemporary charts, where it reached #4 (even besting "You Can Do Magic"). A second single, Ballard's "Cast The Spirit", failed to chart. The album itself, released in June 1983, was reasonably successful at #81, but something of a disappointment when compared to its predecessor. Year 1983 ( MCMLXXXIII) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link displays the 1983 Gregorian calendar)
America's work was also featured on several soundtracks during this period. Beckley and Bunnell contributed several tracks to The Last Unicorn soundtrack in 1982. The Last Unicorn is the Soundtrack to the film of the same name Year 1982 ( MCMLXXXII) was a Common year starting on Friday (link displays the 1982 Gregorian calendar) The soundtrack became popular in Germany, and the group frequently plays its title track when touring in that country. Germany, officially the Federal Republic of Germany ( ˈbʊndəsʁepuˌbliːk ˈdɔʏtʃlant is a Country in Central Europe. America also recorded "Love Comes Without Warning" for the 1984 Steve Martin comedy, The Lonely Guy. Year 1984 ( MCMLXXXIV) was a Leap year starting on Sunday (link displays the 1984 Gregorian calendar) Stephen Glenn Martin (born August 14, 1945) is an Emmy Award -winning American Actor, Comedian, Writer, The Lonely Guy is a 1984 Steve Martin Romantic comedy film written by Neil Simon and directed by Arthur Hiller.
Dan Peek emerged from several years of musical obscurity in May 1984, releasing his second solo Christian album, Doer Of The Word, on Home Sweet Home Records. Dan Peek (born 1 November 1950, Panama City, Florida) was a member of the Rock band, America from 1970 to 1977 together Artists This is a list of a few artists that have recorded on Home Sweet Home Records Chris Christian Mark Heard Once again produced by Chris Christian, the album's title track featured Beckley on backing vocals. Chris Christian (born as Lon Christian Smith in Abilene Texas) is a Songwriter, Record producer, and a record label executive Peek would issue two more solo albums over the next few years, including Electro Voice (1986) and Crossover (1987).
Meanwhile, America opted for a decidedly different direction from its previous offerings for its twelfth studio album, Perspective, released in September 1984. Perspective is the twelfth original studio Album by American Folk rock duo America, released by Capitol Records in Year 1984 ( MCMLXXXIV) was a Leap year starting on Sunday (link displays the 1984 Gregorian calendar) Ballard was out, and synthesizers and drum machines were in. Several different producers, including Richie Zito, Matthew McCauley, and Richard James Burgess, helped create an electronic pop sound that was very much in step with the '80s, but drastically at odds with America's acoustic trademark. Richard James Burgess is a studio drummer music-computer programmer recording artist record producer composer published author manager marketer and inventor "Special Girl", the album's first single, was culled from outside songwriters and failed to make the charts. The next single, "Can't Fall Asleep to a Lullaby", was co-penned by Bunnell, Journey's Steve Perry, Robert Haimer, and Bill Mumy, the latter of Lost In Space fame. Journey is an American rock band formed in San Francisco, California in 1973 Stephen Ray Perry (born January 22, 1949) is an American Singer and Songwriter best known as the Lead vocalist of Charles William Mumy Jr (ˈmuːmi born February 1, 1954) is an American Actor, Musician, pitchman Instrumentalist, Lost in Space is a Science fiction TV series created and produced by Irwin Allen, produced by 20th Century Fox Television, and Although neither track broke out on pop radio, both did achieve minor success on the adult contemporary charts. The album itself was unable to climb higher than #185 during a brief three-week stint on the charts in October 1984.
Their commercial momentum by now spent, Beckley and Bunnell ended their Capitol contract with In Concert, released in July 1985. In Concert is the second official live Album by American Folk rock duo America, released by Capitol Records in July Year 1985 ( MCMLXXXV) was a Common year starting on Tuesday (link displays 1985 Gregorian calendar) The concert was recorded at the Arlington Theater in Santa Barbara, California, on June 1, 1985. Santa Barbara is a city in Santa Barbara County California, United States. Events 193 - Roman Emperor Didius Julianus is Assassinated 987 - Hugh Capet is elected Year 1985 ( MCMLXXXV) was a Common year starting on Tuesday (link displays 1985 Gregorian calendar) In Concert became the first America album to miss the charts entirely.
Return to basics (1985-1998)
Beckley and Bunnell spent the latter half of the 1980s focusing on their live show, which they performed well over 100 times a year around the world. While America remained a hot ticket on the touring circuit, they were unable to land a recording contract in the years after they left the Capitol label.
By the early 1990s, the rise of the compact disc led to the reissuing of many popular albums from the rock era, providing many popular acts like America with a revived niche in the record industry. A Compact Disc (also known as a CD) is an Optical disc used to store digital data, originally developed for storing digital audio In 1991, America was able to offer four brand new tracks as part of a collection issued by Rhino Records called Encore: More Greatest Hits, which was designed to complement the group's original 1975 retrospective. Rhino Entertainment Company is an American specialty Record label and production company owned by Warner Music Group. Encore More Greatest Hits is the second major label compilation Album by American Folk rock duo America, released by Rhino Standout tracks included the Bunnell-Haimer-Mumy collaboration "Nothing's So Far Away (As Yesterday)" and Beckley's "On Target".
America's resurgence caught the eye of Chip Davis of American Gramaphone Records, who signed the group to his label. Hourglass is the thirteenth original studio Album by American Folk rock duo America, released by American Gramaphone Louis F "Chip" Davis Jr (born November 15, 1947 in Sylvania Ohio) is the founder and leader of the music group Mannheim Steamroller American Gramaphone is an American record company and was formed in 1974 by Chip Davis. Louis F "Chip" Davis Jr (born November 15, 1947 in Sylvania Ohio) is the founder and leader of the music group Mannheim Steamroller American Gramaphone is an American record company and was formed in 1974 by Chip Davis. In May 1994, America released its first new studio album in a decade with Hourglass. Year 1994 ( MCMXCIV) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link will display full 1994 Gregorian calendar) Hourglass is the thirteenth original studio Album by American Folk rock duo America, released by American Gramaphone Produced primarily by Beckley and Bunnell, with help from Hank Linderman and Steve Levine, the album featured an eclectic group of songs. Steve Levine is a Grammy -winning record producer He has produced albums and songs for bands such as The Beach Boys, Culture Club, Gary Moore "Young Moon", a rare joint songwriting effort from Bunnell and Beckley, was a sleek effort, combining Beckley's love ballad formula with Bunnell's visual imagery. In contrast, "Greenhouse" featured a rough, rocking sound performed by the live band. Re-recordings of "You Can Do Magic" and "Everyone I Meet Is From California" were also included. In the end, despite garnering generally positive reviews, the album failed to catch on commercially.
In 1995, while in between America projects, Beckley delivered his long-anticipated debut solo album. Entitlted Van Go Gan, the album experimented with various styles and sounds. Beckley also revisited some early America material, including a remake of "I Need You". "Now Sue" was inspired by the track "Till The Sun Comes Up Again" (from the Homecoming album) when played backwards. Comedian Phil Hartman (who in his earlier career as a graphic artist had designed the "America" logo, as well as many other bands of the 70's) was featured as the uproarious voice of a televangelist preacher on "Playing God". Phil Hartman (September 24 1948 &ndash May 28 1998 was a Canadian -born American Emmy Award -winning Writer as well as an Actor, Televangelism is the use of Television to communicate the Christian faith Although it received exceptionally warm reviews, the album was only available as an expensive Japanese import. For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic Japan topics.
Dan Peek, who had remained largely silent since Crossover, made a modest resurgence in the mid-1990s through his trio of collaborations with Brian Gentry and Ken Marvin of the Nashville-based group, PEACE. Dan Peek (born 1 November 1950, Panama City, Florida) was a member of the Rock band, America from 1970 to 1977 together
America fans were also treated to a newly-released concert album in 1995. Released by King Biscuit's record label, the concert was actually taken from a 1982 installment of the King Biscuit Flower Hour radio show. The King Biscuit Flower Hour was a syndicated radio show presented by the D Known as In Concert (not to be confused with the 1985 Capitol release of the same name), King Biscuit experienced modest success with the album. In Concert (King Biscuit is the third officially released Live album by American Folk rock duo America, released by King Biscuit In Concert is the second official live Album by American Folk rock duo America, released by Capitol Records in July
This success wound up leading to a new record deal with King Biscuit's subsidiary label, Oxygen Records. After rumors that Steely Dan producer Gary Katz would produce the project came and went, the album eventually reached the stores in September 1998. Steely Dan is a American rock band centered on core members Walter Becker and Donald Fagen. Gary Katz is an American record producer most famous for his work in that capacity on every Steely Dan album recorded during the first run of their career from Can't Year 1998 ( MCMXCVIII) was a Common year starting on Thursday (link will display full 1998 Gregorian calendar) The new album, entitled Human Nature after the name of Beckley's home recording studio, was accompanied by a modest commercial blitz. Human Nature is the fourteenth original studio Album by American Folk rock duo America, released by Oxygen Records in 1998 (see The first single, Beckley's "From A Moving Train," featured a strongly acoustic style. The track received considerable airplay and moderate success in adult contemporary formats. Adult contemporary music, frequently abbreviated AC, refers to styles of popular music that ranges from "lush Sixties pop often vocal -based and rooted in Reports claimed that the song was a major success in the pop charts in Spain. Spain () or the Kingdom of Spain (Reino de España is a country located mostly in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula. A second attempt at a single in "Wednesday Morning" was somewhat less successful. Although the album had a number of strong tracks, in the end it failed to garner the sales that Oxygen was expecting, and America was once again without a record deal.
A New Millennium (1999-2006)
The next few years saw the group's catalog expand with a number of side projects, reissues of older albums on CD, and several major retrospective releases. A Compact Disc (also known as a CD) is an Optical disc used to store digital data, originally developed for storing digital audio In July 2000, Rhino released Highway: 30 Years Of America, a three-CD box set which included 64 remastered tracks spanning the group's career. Highway 30 Years Of America is the third principal major label Compilation album by American Folk rock duo America, released Included were a handful of alternative mixes and demos such as an early take of a stripped-down "Ventura Highway. " A year later, in August 2001, Rhino released a trimmed-down single disc compilation, The Complete Greatest Hits, which assembled all of the group's 17 charting Billboard singles for the first time. The Complete Greatest Hits is the fourth principal major label Compilation album by American Folk rock duo America, released The disc also included two newly-recorded songs, "World Of Light" and "Paradise. " The album represented another milestone for the group. Peaking at #152 on the Billboard album charts in October 2001, The Complete Greatest Hits was America's first charting album since Perspective in 1984. The Billboard 200 is a ranking of the 200 highest-selling music albums and EPs in the United States, published weekly by Billboard Perspective is the twelfth original studio Album by American Folk rock duo America, released by Capitol Records in
On the solo front, in February 2000 Beckley released Go Man Go, an album remixing a number of tracks from Van Go Gan. The Complete Greatest Hits is the fourth principal major label Compilation album by American Folk rock duo America, released The original Van Go Gan album finally saw its initial domestic release that July with bonus tracks. June saw the roll-out of another Beckley side project, Like A Brother, recorded with Robert Lamm of Chicago and the late Carl Wilson of the Beach Boys under the name Beckley-Lamm-Wilson. Robert William Lamm (born October 13, 1944) is an American Keyboardist, Singer and Songwriter best known for being a founding Chicago is a Rock band formed in 1967 in Chicago Illinois. The band began as a politically charged sometimes experimental rock band and later moved to a predominately Carl Dean Wilson ( December 21, 1946 – February 6, 1998) was an American Rock and roll Singer and Guitarist The Beach Boys is an American rock band Formed in 1961 the group gained popularity for its close vocal harmonies and lyrics reflecting a California Youth culture Dan Peek resurfaced in 1999 with a new website and his first solo release in many years, Bodden Town. Dan Peek (born 1 November 1950, Panama City, Florida) was a member of the Rock band, America from 1970 to 1977 together
America had a somewhat unusual return to prominence in 2001 with the smash success of Janet Jackson's single "Someone to Call My Lover. Janet Damita Jo Jackson (born May 16 1966 is an American recording artist and entertainer " Someone to Call My Lover " is a song by American R&B / pop singer Janet Jackson. " Jackson's track wove the famous "Ventura Highway" guitar riff into a song which rose to #3 on the Billboard pop charts, and introduced one of America's most recognizable melodies to a whole new generation.
America fans were treated to new material in late 2002. In October, the group released its first Christmas album, Holiday Harmony. Holiday Harmony is the fifteenth original studio Album by American Folk rock duo America, released by Rhino Records Produced by Andrew Gold, the album received positive reviews for its imaginative weaving of elements of classic America tunes into familiar holiday standards. Andrew Gold (born August 2 1951, Burbank, California) is an American Singer, Musician and Songwriter Included were three new tracks, including a Bunnell-penned ode to "Ventura Highway" called "Christmas In California," featuring Beckley on lead vocals.
One month later, in November 2002, America released a live album, The Grand Cayman Concert. The Grand Cayman Concert is the fifth official Live album by American Folk rock duo America, released by the group in 2002 (see Recorded the previous April in the Cayman Islands, the concert featured just Beckley and Bunnell on acoustic guitars, a throwback to the earliest days of their career. The Cayman Islands are a British overseas territory located in the western Caribbean Sea, comprising the islands of Grand Cayman, Cayman Brac Included were their most familiar songs along with a few rarities, such as "Wind Wave" and "Pigeon Song. "
After this spurt of new material, the band retreated from the music studio, as Beckley and Bunnell focused their energy on their consistently full and lucrative touring schedule. America occasionally offered new DVDs, such as a re-release of their 1979 concert film, Live In Central Park, a 2004 concert at the Sydney Opera House, and a 2005 show at the Ventura, California, Concert Theater joined with Stephen Bishop and Andrew Gold directed by Sheldon Osmond. The Sydney Opera House is located in Sydney New South Wales, Australia Incorporated in 1866 the city of San Buenaventura (usually referred to as Ventura) is the County seat of Ventura California ( is a US state on the West Coast of the United States, along the Pacific Ocean. Stephen Bishop (born 14 November 1951) is an American Singer and Guitarist. Andrew Gold (born August 2 1951, Burbank, California) is an American Singer, Musician and Songwriter Also in 2005, America appeared on the PBS concert series SoundStage with long-time friend Christopher Cross. The Public Broadcasting Service ( PBS) is a Non-profit Public broadcasting Television service with 354 member TV stations in the Christopher Cross (born Christopher Geppert on May 3, 1951) is an American Singer-songwriter from San Antonio,
In April 2006, after a handful of solo concerts, Beckley released his second solo album of all-new material, the well-received Horizontal Fall.
Recent activity (2006-07)
After over two decades operating in the shadows of the music industry, the dream of a full-scale commercial comeback still seemed far-fetched for America as the year 2006 opened. Although the group remained very much active and popular in the nostalgia concert circuit and had occasionally issued new material on minor labels, their offerings were largely ignored by the wider commercial music industry and record-buying public.
However, a fateful connection would provide a sudden and unexpected change in fortune for the group. Here & Now is the sixteenth original studio Album by American Folk rock duo America, released by Burgundy Records in January During the mid-2000s, Beckley struck up a correspondence with Adam Schlesinger of the indie-rock group Fountains of Wayne. Adam Schlesinger (born October 31 1967 is a American Songwriter, Composer and Record producer. Fountains of Wayne is an American Power pop rock band formed in 1996 and known for such singles as "Radiation Vibe" and " Stacy's Mom Beckley had been a fan of the 2003 Fountains of Wayne album Welcome Interstate Managers, and Schlesinger turned out to be a fan of America's work. Welcome Interstate Managers is an Album by Fountains of Wayne. The exchange of songs between the two led them to record a few tracks together. The recordings came to the attention of SonyBMG's new Burgundy Records label, which was impressed both by the quality of the material and by the possibility of pairing America with other indie artists. Sony BMG Music Entertainment is a diverse music and entertainment group Burgundy Records is an American Record label, and Subsidiary of Sony BMG. The label signed America to record a new album with Schlesinger and his musical partner, James Iha, formerly of The Smashing Pumpkins, at the production helm. James Yoshinobu Iha ( Japanese 井葉吉伸 Iha Yoshinobu or ジェームス・イハ Jēmusu Iha) born March 26, 1968 in The Smashing Pumpkins are an American Alternative rock band that formed in Chicago, Illinois in 1988 Entitled Here & Now, it would be America's first major-label studio album since Perspective in 1984. Here & Now is the sixteenth original studio Album by American Folk rock duo America, released by Burgundy Records in January Perspective is the twelfth original studio Album by American Folk rock duo America, released by Capitol Records in
The recording sessions at Stratosphere Sound in New York City, which ran through July, attracted a number of notable guest musicians, including Ryan Adams, Ben Kweller, along with members from the groups Nada Surf and My Morning Jacket. Stratosphere Sound is a recording studio located in New York City. The City of New York David Ryan Adams (born November 5, 1974) is an American alt-country / rock Singer-songwriter from Jacksonville Ben Kweller (born 16 June 1981, San Francisco, California) is an American rock Musician. Nada Surf is an American Alternative rock band Formed in 1992 the New York band consists of Matthew Caws ( Guitar, vocals My Morning Jacket is an American rock band known for their reverb -heavy sound their eclectic mix of Country rock, Indie rock, Seasoned veterans Stephen Bishop and Rusty Young were also involved. Stephen Bishop (born 14 November 1951) is an American Singer and Guitarist.
In an effort to aim the album toward both younger and older audiences, the label decided to bundle the new album with a second disc comprising live performances of every track from History: America's Greatest Hits, previously recorded at XM Radio as part of XM's Then Again. History America's Greatest Hits is the first compilation Album by American Folk rock trio America, released by Warner Bros . . Live series. In the run-up to the album's scheduled release on January 16, 2007, America attracted a publicity buzz unseen since the early 1980s. In addition, early positive reviews of the album suggested a possible critical reappraisal of the group's work and legacy and the possibility that 1970s soft-rock could become "cool" and "hip" with a newer generation of musicians and fans.
Dan Peek and the band
Ever since Dan Peek left the group in May 1977, speculation has abounded as to whether he could or would return to the fold. Dan Peek (born 1 November 1950, Panama City, Florida) was a member of the Rock band, America from 1970 to 1977 together The split was certainly amicable. On Peek's 1978 solo debut album, All Things Are Possible, Beckley and Bunnell sang back-up vocals on the track "Love Was Just Another Word. " According to Bunnell, at around that time Peek even joined the group onstage to perform a few songs during a concert at the Greek Theater in Los Angeles. On Peek's 1984 follow-up album, Doer Of The Word, Beckley provided prominent backing vocals on the title track. In November 1999, credible rumors began to spread that unreleased demo recordings from the early 1980s featuring Beckley and Bunnell collaborating with Peek would be released on CD sometime in early 2000. No such recordings have been released to date.
The questions about a possible reunion of the original trio began not long after Peek left the group. When asked about the prospects for a reunion in the early 1980s, Beckley and Bunnell stated that they were happy for Peek in that he had found a new life and a new direction, but that it was unlikely there would be a reunion. "All things are possible, like [Dan] says," Beckley told radio host Lew Irwin in 1982, but "it just doesn't seem in the cards. " Within a few years, however, Peek had begun to publicly entertain just such thoughts. "Like they said and like I said, all things are possible," Peek told interviewer Steve Orchard in 1985. "I really have my fingers crossed. I would love to get back together [with them] and do some things. "
Although Beckley and Bunnell have over the years become increasingly firm in their position that a reunion with Peek is highly unlikely, and could in fact be counterproductive, record companies have put pressure on the duo to change their minds. Bunnell noted to Steve Orchard in 1998 that "[w]e had a few labels say that they would be interested in recording us if we would bring Dan back or if we could put together the original trio. " In the end, Beckley and Bunnell have chosen to hold firm to their decision to remain a duo.
In 2000, Peek began posting a number of weekly "episodes" to his website relating to his experiences prior to and during his years in America. Peek raised a few eyebrows both for his candid discussion of his experiences with drugs and religion and for his observations of Beckley and Bunnell. Eventually, Peek compiled the material into a book entitled An American Band, which was released in late 2004.
Certain sources have erroneously suggested that a reunion with Peek actually did occur. A Rolling Stone rock discography book, printed in the mid-1990s, contained an apocryphal entry for America stating that Dan Peek had reunited with Beckley and Bunnell for a tour in 1993 with the Beach Boys. Rolling Stone is a United States -based Magazine devoted to Music, Politics, and Popular culture that is published The Beach Boys is an American rock band Formed in 1961 the group gained popularity for its close vocal harmonies and lyrics reflecting a California Youth culture This misinformation has been so widely disseminated that even esteemed Australian rock journalist and historian Glenn A. Baker erroneously assumed this to be true in an interview question posed to Beckley and Bunnell on the Live At The Sydney Opera House DVD. For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic Australia topics. Glenn A Baker (born 28 July 1952) is an Australian Journalist and Commentator, well known in Australia for his vast knowledge of
Charts
Billboard Album Chart
| Year | Title | Peak Position |
|---|---|---|
| 1972 | America | 1 |
| 1972 | Homecoming | 9 |
| 1973 | Hat Trick | 28 |
| 1974 | Holiday | 3 |
| 1975 | Hearts | 4 |
| 1975 | History: America's Greatest Hits | 3 |
| 1976 | Hideaway | 11 |
| 1977 | Harbor | 21 |
| 1977 | Live | 127 |
| 1979 | Silent Letter | 110 |
| 1980 | Alibi | 142 |
| 1982 | View From The Ground | 41 |
| 1983 | Your Move | 81 |
| 1984 | Perspective | 185 |
| 1994 | Hourglass | Did Not Chart |
| 1998 | Human Nature | Did Not Chart |
| 2001 | The Complete Greatest Hits | 152 |
| 2007 | Here & Now | 52 |
Billboard Singles Chart
| Year | Title | Peak Position |
|---|---|---|
| 1972 | A Horse with No Name | 1 |
| 1972 | I Need You | 9 |
| 1972 | Ventura Highway | 8 |
| 1973 | Don't Cross The River | 35 |
| 1973 | Only In Your Heart | 62 |
| 1973 | Muskrat Love | 67 |
| 1974 | Tin Man | 4 |
| 1975 | Lonely People | 5 |
| 1975 | Sister Golden Hair | 1 |
| 1975 | Daisy Jane | 20 |
| 1975 | Woman Tonight | 44 |
| 1976 | Today's The Day | 23 |
| 1976 | Amber Cascades | 75 |
| 1979 | California Dreamin' | 56 |
| 1979 | Only Game In Town | 107 |
| 1982 | You Can Do Magic | 8 |
| 1983 | Right Before Your Eyes | 45 |
| 1983 | The Border | 33 |
| 1984 | Special Girl | 106 |
Trivia
- Contrary to popular belief, the choice of the name "America" had no political overtones, and the group has consistently avoided political or patriotic use of its name.
- In the Sopranos Season 3 episode, 'Another Toothpick', Robert Baccalieri Sr. has a car accident while listening to Sister Golden Hair. " Sister Golden Hair " is a popular song written by Gerry Beckley and recorded by the band America for their fifth album Hearts (1975
- Bunnell has remarked that the setting for "A Horse with No Name" was inspired by the area around Vandenberg Air Force Base, where he spent some time as a child. Vandenberg Air Force Base is a United States military installation with a Spaceport, in Santa Barbara County, California, United States.
- America was at one time called the "United States of America"
- When initially released, "A Horse with No Name" was often mistaken for a Neil Young song, due to the similarity of Bunnell's vocals to Young's. Neil Percival Young OM (born November 12, 1945, Toronto Ontario) is a Canadian Singer-songwriter, Musician "Horse" replaced Young's single "Heart of Gold" at US #1 in 1972.
- "A Horse with No Name" was placed on the soundtrack of the controversial video game Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas, playing on Classic Rock station K-DST. Grand Theft Auto San Andreas is a sandbox-style action-adventure computer and Video game developed by Rockstar North Classic rock was originally conceived as a Radio station programming format which evolved from the Album oriented rock (AOR format in the early-1980s The soundtrack of the computer and video game Grand Theft Auto San Andreas, which is set in 1992 in the fictional U It also makes an appearance in the sprite webcomic 8-Bit Theater. 8-Bit Theater (also spelled 8-Bit Theatre) is a popular Sprite comic created and launched by Brian Clevinger in March 2001 [1]
- "A Horse with No Name" has been used more than once for gags in episodes of the "The Simpsons. "
- "I Need You" is supposedly the first song Beckley ever wrote.
- America recorded Homecoming in the studio next to Stevie Wonder, who was then recording his classic album, Innervisions. Stevie Wonder (born Stevland Hardaway Judkins on May 13 1950 name later changed to Stevland Hardaway Morris) is an Innervisions is an album by Stevie Wonder, released on Tamla / Motown on August 3 1973 (see 1973 in music
- Bunnell has suggested that the "alligator lizards in the air" in "Ventura Highway" are references to cloud shapes.
- The legendary rock photographer Henry Diltz is also a skilled banjo player, and was featured on the America tracks "Don't Cross The River" and "Submarine Ladies. Henry Stanford Diltz (born 1938 in Kansas City Missouri) is a Folk musician and Photographer, who has been active since the 1960s "
- When played backwards, the lyrics on "Moon Song" from Homecoming say, "All good men come to the aid of their country. "
- Another track from Homecoming, "Till The Sun Comes Up Again," became a musical inspiration to Gerry Beckley when played backwards over twenty years later, leading to the song "Now Sue" on his solo album Van Go Gan. A backwards version of the original Homecoming track was included as a bonus track on the 2000 domestic release of Van Go Gan.
- A then-obscure comedian named Jay Leno was the opening act for a number of America shows in the early 1970s. James Douglas Muir "Jay" Leno (born April 28 1950 is an Emmy Award -winning American Stand-up comedian and Television host
- Dan Peek re-recorded "Lonely People" for his 1986 solo album, Electro Voice. Dan Peek (born 1 November 1950, Panama City, Florida) was a member of the Rock band, America from 1970 to 1977 together He reworked the lyrics in a more overtly Christian vein, claiming that this better reflected the original inspiration for the song.
- "Lonely People" was covered by the popular Christian band Jars of Clay in 2003. Jars of Clay is a Grammy Award winning Christian rock band from Franklin Tennessee.
- The cover artwork on the album History: America's Greatest Hits was the work of Phil Hartmann, who later became famous as a comedian on Saturday Night Live. Phil Hartman (September 24 1948 &ndash May 28 1998 was a Canadian -born American Emmy Award -winning Writer as well as an Actor, Saturday Night Live ( SNL) is a weekly late-night 90-minute American Sketch comedy / Variety show based in New York City Hartmann later dropped an "n" off his last name prior to achieving fame. His brother John was America's manager for many years.
- Around 1976, the Soviet Union expressed interest in having the trio perform in that country, but the deal collapsed before it could come to fruition. The Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR was a constitutionally Socialist state that existed in Eurasia from 1922 to 1991
- Despite the presence of other heavyweight acts like James Taylor and Rod Stewart on their roster, America was Warner Bros. Records' biggest selling act of the 1970s. James Vernon Taylor (born March 12, 1948) is an American Singer-songwriter and Guitarist, born in Boston, Massachusetts Roderick "Rod" David Stewart, CBE (born 10 January 1945 is a Singer and Songwriter born and raised in London England and currently Warner Bros Records Inc is an American Record label that operates as a wholly owned Subsidiary of Warner Music Group. This article is about the Decade 1970-1979 For the Year 1970 see 1970.
- In 1978, America performed a song live in concert called "Norman. " The song, written by Beckley (who once considered becoming an architect), was an homage to industrial designer Norman Bel Geddes. An architect is a licensed individual who leads a design team in the Planning and Design of buildings and participates in oversight of Building Construction Industrial design is an Applied art whereby the Aesthetics and Usability of mass-produced products may be improved for marketability and Norman Melancton Bel Geddes ( April 27, 1893 &ndash May 9, 1958) was an American Theatrical and Industrial designer Although contemporary interviews suggested the track would be recorded for an upcoming album, the song was never released by America. Years later, singer-songwriter Jeff Larson recorded it for his 2002 album, Fragile Sunrise, with Beckley producing the track.
- The title of America's 1979 album, Silent Letter, refers to their previous tendency to name all their albums with names starting with "H". In 1994, the group returned to this practice with the release of Hourglass.
- Bunnell has claimed that America's label toyed with the idea of the group going country during the late 1970s, and that he and Beckley soundly rejected the idea. Country music is a blend of popular musical forms originally found in the Southern United States and the Appalachian Mountains.
- America and their label could not agree on which side of the Alibi LP should be considered Side One, so they came to a unique compromise. The sides would be labelled "Our Side" and "Their Side. " The album's unusual cover photo, featuring a severed doll's head, does not have any special meaning. Bunnell recalled that he and Beckley simply stumbled upon it while looking through music photographer Henry Diltz's photo collection and decided to use it. Henry Stanford Diltz (born 1938 in Kansas City Missouri) is a Folk musician and Photographer, who has been active since the 1960s
- America was briefly caught up in controversy in 1981 when they broke the anti-apartheid international cultural boycott against South Africa and played several concerts in that country. Year 1981 ( MCMLXXXI) was a Common year starting on Thursday (link displays the 1981 A boycott is a form of Consumer activism involving the act of voluntarily abstaining from using buying or dealing with someone or some other organization as an expression of The Republic of South Africa (also known by other official names) is a country located at the southern tip of the continent of Africa However, America was not alone, as black artists such as Tina Turner and Curtis Mayfield did the same. Tina Turner (born Anna Mae Bullock; November 26, 1939) is an eight time Grammy Award -winning American Curtis Lee Mayfield ( June 3, 1942 – December 26, 1999) was an American soul, R&B, and Funk It has been rumored that the group suffered from a low-key industry backlash for several years after the incident.
- The building behind Bunnell and Beckley on the cover of Perspective is 100 Wilshire in Santa Monica, California. The building, tallest in the city, was completed in 1971, and was originally known as Lawrence Welk Plaza. Lawrence Welk ( March 11, 1903 &ndash May 17, 1992) was a Musician, Accordionist Bandleader, and Television It can also be seen in the background of the opening credits of the hit television sitcom Three's Company during the 1979-1980 and 1980-1981 seasons. Television ( TV) is a widely used Telecommunication medium for sending ( Broadcasting) and receiving moving Images, either monochromatic Three's Company is an American Sitcom that aired from 1977 to 1984 on ABC. Year 1979 ( MCMLXXIX) was a Common year starting on Monday (link displays the 1979 Gregorian calendar) Year 1980 ( MCMLXXX) was a Leap year starting on Tuesday (link displays the 1980 Gregorian calendar) Year 1981 ( MCMLXXXI) was a Common year starting on Thursday (link displays the 1981
- Hourglass is the last America album to use a contemporary photograph of Beckley and Bunnell's faces on the cover. Human Nature featured the duo on the cover, but with their faces covered by a cloud. This design flourish was supposedly inspired by the work of René Magritte. René François Ghislain Magritte ( 21 November 1898 - 15 August 1967) was a Belgian Surrealist artist
- A group of country music all-stars (Vince Gill, Faith Hill, Terri Clark, Trisha Yearwood, and Tim McGraw) recording under the name of "Project Hope" covered Beckley's "Hope" for a charity single in 1996. Country music is a blend of popular musical forms originally found in the Southern United States and the Appalachian Mountains. Vincent Grant "Vince" Gill (born April 12, 1957) is an American Neotraditional country Singer-songwriter and Multi-instrumentalist Audrey Faith McGraw, known professionally as Faith Hill (born September 21 1967 is an American country singer known both for her commercial success Terri Clark (born Terri Lynn Sauson, August 5 1968 in Montreal, Quebec) is a Canadian Country music artist who has had success in both Patricia Lynn Yearwood, known professionally as Trisha Yearwood (born September 19 1964 is an American Country music artist best known for her series of major hits Samuel Timothy "Tim" McGraw (born May 1, 1967) is an American country Singer and actor Many of them later performed the song live for that year's Academy of Country Music awards telecast. The Academy of Country Music (ACM was founded in 1964 in Los Angeles, California as the Country & Western Music Academy
- The album Human Nature takes its name from Beckley's home recording studio in addition to the fact it begins with the traditional letter "H".
- When Garth Brooks covered "Don't Cross The River" on his Scarecrow album, he apparently wasn't aware that it was an America song. Troyal Garth Brooks, known professionally as Garth Brooks (born February 7, 1962) is an American Country music Singer-songwriter. His version was based upon a bluegrass cover of the song by Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver from the late 1970s.
- Janet Jackson's 2001 hit "Someone to Call My Lover" was focused around the guitar riff from "Ventura Highway". Janet Damita Jo Jackson (born May 16 1966 is an American recording artist and entertainer Year 2001 ( MMI) was a Common year starting on Monday according to the Gregorian calendar. " Someone to Call My Lover " is a song by American R&B / pop singer Janet Jackson. The riff itself was re-recorded for the sample to reduce royalty fees. One of her earlier hits, "Let's Wait Awhile", was supposedly inspired by "Daisy Jane" and has often been compared to it. " Let's Wait Awhile " is the fifth single released from Janet Jackson 's third studio album Control (1986
- America recorded a track for the Watership Down film soundtrack. Watership Down is a 1978 Animated film directed by Martin Rosen and based on the book by Richard Adams. It was titled "Watership Down" and was not used in the film, along with a few other songs recorded by different artists.
- In the '90's, the band appeared on the Howard Stern Radio Show, performing a parody of the song, rephrased to be about Stern show producer Gary "Baba booey" Dell'Abate. The song was called "A Boy with Horse Teeth"
- Since there is no real "Ventura Highway", the song was written about the Pacific Coast Hwy, from Los Angeles to Ventura, CA.
Discography
- America (1971) Platinum
- Homecoming (1972) Platinum
- Hat Trick (1973) Gold
- Holiday (1974) Gold
- Hearts (1975) Gold
- History: America's Greatest Hits (1975) 4X Platinum
- Hideaway (1976) Gold
- Harbor (1977)
- Live (1977)
- Silent Letter (1979)
- Alibi (1980)
- View From The Ground (1982)
- The Last Unicorn (1982)
- Your Move (1983)
- Perspective (1984)
- In Concert (1985)
- Encore: More Greatest Hits (1991)
- Hourglass (1994)
- In Concert (King Biscuit) (1995)
- Horse With No Name (1995)
- You Can Do Magic (1998)
- Human Nature (1998)
- Live (1999)
- Highway: 30 Years Of America (2000)
- The Complete Greatest Hits (2001)
- Holiday Harmony (2002)
- The Grand Cayman Concert (2002)
- Here & Now (2007)
See also
- Dan Peek
- Gerry Beckley
- Dewey Bunnell
- Ian Samwell
- George Martin
- Russ Ballard
- Adam Schlesinger
- James Iha
- Henry Diltz
- Richard Campbell
References
External links
- Official America Homepage
- Official America page at Burgundy Records
- Official America fan page
- America Blog page
- Live Concert Recording of America at the Blossom Music Center, OH on September 5, 1982
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