America is a Rock/Folk group that enjoyed a great deal of success during the 1970′s and into the 1980′s.
The three original members were:
Gerry Beckley
Dewey Bunnell
Dan Peek
All three were military brats that had American Fathers and British Mothers. They met while growing up in England in the 1960′s where their Fathers were stationed in the US Air Force.
The group named themselves America in honor of the Country that they had hardly ever seen while growing up on military bases around the world.
Their first album was released in 1971.
The first single from that album, “Horse with No Name“, went to #1 on the Billboard Top-40 Charts.
Over the years, they went on to record hits such as:
Horse with No Name
Ventura Highway
I Need You
Don’t Cross the River
Tin Man
Lonely People
Sister Golden Hair
Daisy Jane
Today’s the Day
You Can Do Magic
Muskrat Love
Right Before Your Eyes
The Border
Woman Tonight
In addition to “Horse With No Name“, the single “Sister Golden Hair” also reached #1 on the Billboard Charts.
They have released 16 Studio Albums and a number of compilation and concert albums during their career.
The group has undergone a number of changes in its members over the years and is now comprised of:
Gerry Beckley
Dewey Bunnell
Willie Leacox
Michael Woods
Richard Campbell
The group was inducted into the Vocal Group Hall of Fame.
The group still performs over 100 shows each year around the World.
Founding member Dan Peek died in 2011.
So, but for a few decades, you might have been part of America? That might’ve been cool, but I’ll take ya as The Idiot. The music’s just as sweet, even if the tune is different.
By: John Erickson on October 17, 2011
at 4:57 pm
No-Hio – Yep…. this was one Air Force brat that got left out of the band…… I could have played a mean air guitar in the background…..
By: TheIdiotSpeaketh on October 17, 2011
at 5:32 pm
I grew up listening to them. Brings back a lot of memories listening to their music.
By: savorthefolly on October 17, 2011
at 5:49 pm
I understand they released their single in the U.K. first – it was called “Philosopher With No Name”. When they released it in America, they felt it would have more punch with the title “Sorcerer With No Name”, but because of poor reception the printer heard it as “Horse With No Name”. It was too late to change the cover, but the band rerecorded the vocals to match the title. True story.
By: Edward Hotspur on October 17, 2011
at 5:50 pm
Follmeister – You must have been REAL young listening to them….. what with you being 29 and all….
By: TheIdiotSpeaketh on October 17, 2011
at 6:01 pm
Edward – That is some cool trivia on them
By: TheIdiotSpeaketh on October 17, 2011
at 6:02 pm
My mom used to love their “horse” song, but she didn’t speak English so she made me translate the words for her. Of course I taught her all the wrong words.
By: H.E. ELLIS on October 17, 2011
at 6:12 pm
I saw them at a festival in Destin, Florida years ago. At the time I didn’t realize that I knew so many of their songs.
By: Amy on October 17, 2011
at 6:25 pm
H.E. ELLIS – I can just imagine the words you had your poor Mom singing……
By: TheIdiotSpeaketh on October 17, 2011
at 8:02 pm
Amy – Yeah….they sneak up on you with how many hits they had over the years.
By: TheIdiotSpeaketh on October 17, 2011
at 8:02 pm
My mother and all of my brothers used to blast America. I managed to see them live in a free concert in Freeport years ago and they are still awesome.
By: She's a Maineiac on October 18, 2011
at 6:09 am
Maineieac – That’s cool. They were at a Casino not too far from here a few years ago, with Christopher Cross, and I missed them. I’ll be sure to catch them next time.
By: TheIdiotSpeaketh on October 18, 2011
at 7:35 am
No mention of “The Last Unicorn” …?
By: d00dler on February 19, 2012
at 4:53 pm
Is that the one with the chorus “You’ll see green alligators, and long-necked geese”? WGN in Chicago used to have a kids morning show starring Ray Rayner, and they had a segment that went to Lincoln Park Zoo to show off various animals. That was the theme song for the segment!
Thanks for the great memory!
By: John Erickson on February 19, 2012
at 5:53 pm