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| America: Rich Campbell, Dewey Bunnell, Gerry Beckley, Ryland Steen and Bill Worrell Photography by Bonnie M. Morét |
America is a rock band that formed in England in 1970 by multi-instrumentalists Dewey Bunnell, Dan Peek, and Gerry Beckley. The trio first met as sons of U.S. Air Force personnel stationed in London, where they began performing live. Shortly after the members' graduation from high school, a record deal with Warner Bros. Records was in the works.
Their first album was recorded at Trident Studios in
London and produced by Ian Samwell. Jeff
Dexter, Ian's roommate was involved with the music business himself. He
co-produced the album and became the trio's manager.
The debut album was released in 1971 to only moderate
success, although it sold well in the Netherlands, where Dexter had taken them
as a training ground to practice their craft. Samwell and Dexter subsequently
brought the trio to Morgan Studios to record several additional songs. One of them was a Bunnell composition called
"Desert Song."
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. It sold over one million
copies, and was awarded a gold disc by the R.I.A.A. in March 1972. America's
debut album was re-released with the hit song added and quickly went platinum.
Dan Peek left the group in May 1977, to begin his solo
career. He was an early pioneer of
Christian music. He died in his sleep on
July 24, 2011.
With over forty years in the music business and a myriad of
hits, the sound of America continues. Below are the set list from their
performance and highlights Atlanta Symphony Hall on April 1st:
Set List:
Tin Man
You Can Do Magic
Don't Cross the River
Daisy Jane
Riverside
I Need You
Here
Ventura Highway
Driving
Woodstock - (Joni Mitchell cover)
Cornwall Blank / Hollywood
'Til I Hear It From You - (Gin
Blossoms cover)
The Border
Green Monkey
Woman Tonight
Only in Your Heart
California Dreamin' - (The Mamas
& the Papas cover)
Lonely People
Sandman
Sister Golden Hair
Encore:
A Horse With No Name
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| Dewey Bunnell, Gerry Beckley and Ryland Steen. Photography by Bonnie M. Morét |
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| Dewey Bunnell Photography by Bonnie M. Morét |
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| Rich Campbell, Dewey Bunnell, Gerry Beckley, Ryland Steen and Bill Worrell Photography by Bonnie M. Morét |
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| Gerry Beckley Photography by Bonnie M. Morét |
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| Dewey Bunnell, Gerry Beckley and Ryland Steen. Photography by Bonnie M. Morét |
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| Dewey Bunnell Photography by Bonnie M. Morét |
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| Gerry Beckley Photography by Bonnie M. Morét |
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| Rich Campbell and Dewey Bunnell Photography by Bonnie M. Morét |
For information about Atlanta Symphony Hall, visit www.atlantasymphony.org.
For information about America, visit www.venturahighway.com.
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