• 1969-

  Dewey BunnellGuitar, vocals, drums

  Gerry BeckleyGuitar, vocals

  Dan PeekGuitar, vocals1969-1977
• Every member of the band graduated from the same high school in 1969: London Central High School in England. Their fathers were US servicemen who were stationed there.
• George Martin, known for his work with The Beatles, produced seven America albums, starting with Holiday in 1974. In a Songfacts interview with Gerry Beckley, he talked about working with Martin: "He gave us the focus. We were a group that took three months in the studio exploring all different types of options. When we first worked with George on the Holiday album, our fourth record, he said, 'I've booked two months here at AIR Studios. I'm not saying we'll be done by then, but let's see how we go.' And the entire album was done in 13 days - mixed and everything. So, it shows you the effect that the right guy at the helm can have."
• America got their name from a Wurlitzer "Americana" juke box. In an interview with Dewey, he said that one of the reasons for picking the name "America" was that a new successful band called Chicago did well, so, "I thought we'd go for the country."
• The group is unusual in that the roles of the three members were highly interchangeable - they could all play an array of instruments. Most of their songs were written by either Bunnell or Beckley, and whoever wrote the song would typically sing it.
• Gerry was in a band called Daze (or Daze of London), which once competed in a battle of the bands with Genesis, a band with Dan. Using a PA system, Genesis won, but shortly thereafter Dan left to join Daze, which later evolved into America.
• Dan Peek left the group in 1977 after becoming a born-again Christian. He went on to make religious records, while Gerry Beckley and Dewey Bunnell kept America going as a duo.
• America did the soundtrack to Rankin Bass' classic 1982 animated film The Last Unicorn.
• One of their first performances was in England at the Rainbow Theatre (the old Finsbury Park Astoria) in London, a long time before they released their breakthrough hit, "A Horse With No Name." They were supporting the band Family. They sat simply on three stools in front of the curtain, with no accompaniment, and when they finished the audience didn't want them to stop.
• America are known for acoustic guitar-driven hits that bear repeated listening. Their '70s hits like "Ventura Highway" and "Tin Man" have endured on playlists aimed at mellow vibes or at-work listening.
• Peter Clifton, who directed the Led Zeppelin concert film The Song Remains the Same, also directed Live In Central Park, which was the first and only America concert film, taken from the last show on their 1979 world tour. The film has been released on DVD with the sound enhanced.
• America got a big break from Jeff Dexter, a concert promoter who booked them at the Roundhouse, a popular nightclub in London. He was so impressed by them that he booked them as an opening act for big-name acts like Elton John and Cat Stevens, leading to a record deal.
• Their second album is called Homecoming, and their next five albums all start with the letter H: Hat Trick, Holiday, Hearts, History, Hideaway and Harbor. The next one is a wink to breaking this tradition: It's called Silent Letter.
• The acclaimed songwriter Jimmy Webb is the godfather to Beckley's first son.

Comments: 10

• Samuel Crandall Bender from Vancouver, Washington, UsaWhat, no mention of "The Last Unicorn" from the eponymous 1982 animated movie (based on the eponymous 1968 novel by Peter S. Beagle)?
• Earl Trent from Bogota ColombiaMy favorite song is Ventura Highway. I can't hear that song without feeling that I'm cruising down the California coast on a sunny day top down.
• Poppy Veerasawmy from MauritiusI grew up in my teenage years listening to America which was introduced to me and my siblings by my brother Menone Veerasawmy. It's amazing how music brings memories back instantly as soon as you hear the instruments and vocals. America has been one of my top 5 bands with lyrics so profound that they either melt your heart or bring you to tears...
• Frank from South Salem, NyGerry said he likes Italian food and his favourite car is his Italian sports car. Dewey sometimes likes steak. Their favourite place to play includes Italy. America is the best band in the history of music.
• Staley from Dallas, TxI love the beautiful and acoustic melodies that manage not to sound like pure banalities like a large part of what is called "soft rock" (especially later examples of the genre. It's true that Dewey's lyrics tend to be a little.....well, opaque. And even the thought of their recording Muskrat Love makes me cringe. But I still listen to their music regularly today.
• Jeffrey from Joshua, TxWhile I was growing up in Cincinnati, OH, America became a popular band and I clearly remember they were described on the radio station I listened to at the time as a band whose band members originally met while they were members of the marines fighting in the Vietnam war.
• Ken from Louisville, KyThe group asked Beatles producer George Martin to produce their second album in Los Angeles. Martin said the only way he'd do it is if they came to his London studio, and finished it in two weeks. They agreed, and actually finished the album in only 10 days. Martin was so impressed with them and their professionalism that he agreed to go to LA for the subsequent albums he produced for them.
• Katie from Melbourne, AustraliaAmerica is one of my all-time favourite bands!!
  (My fave songs are Tin Man, Ventura Highway and Sister Golden Hair :D )
• Dean from Vancouver, CanadaWhen Horse with no Name was heavily played on the radio and a number one hit, Neil Young's father phoned Neil to congratulate him on his success.
  No Kidding...really happened
• Smith from Manchester, NhAmerica is such a great band. I'm suprised that I'm currently the only one to comment on this. The band is as good as the country!

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