With only a pair of fine solo albums and autobiography, An American Band, to explain, there’s no great mystery to his leaving the spotlight. ![]() After the song found its way to the charts, Peek himself would leave the band in pursuit of that ‘silver cup,’ he mentions in the song. 2 CCM hit, on his 1986 album “Electro Voice.” His other CCM hits included “Divine Lady,” “Doer of the World,” “Cross Over” and the title track from “Electro Voice.Although he left the popular folk-rock band America many years ago, Dan Peek’s gentle melodies, skillfull, distinctive guitar work, vocal talent and songwriting contributions can still be felt on a band most known for 70’s hit songs like “Horse with No Name,” “Ventura Highway,” and “Sister Golden Hair.” But, it was his “Lonely People,” with it’s hopeful message that still resonates today. Peek recorded and performed sporadically after that, putting a revised version of “Lonely People,” which was a No. 1 on the Contemporary Christian Music chart and was nominated for a Grammy Award, while Beckley and Bunnell sang harmonies on the track “Love Was Just Another Word,” marking the last time the three recorded together - although they did occasionally reunite on stage. Peek launched his solo career wtih “All Things Are Possible” in 1979 the title track hit No. “I…was trying to walk the walk and was just unable to do it” in the band, Peek said in an interview after the publication of his memoir, “An American Band: The America Story.” But Peek, who became a born-gain Christian after becoming disenchanted with travel and recreational drug use and sex, decided to leave the band. Returning to England after just a year away, the three musicians regrouped and formed America, hitting big with their first single, “A Horse With No Name.”Īmerica scored three platinum and three gold albums as well as eight Top 40 hits between 1971-75. Peek and Beckley played in a band called The Days, and after Peek left to attend Old Dominion University in Virginia, Bunnell took his place. He moved to England in 1963 when his father was assigned to a base there, meeting Bunnell and Beckley at London Central High School. Peek was born in Panama City, Fla., to a U.S. He added that there was some thought about asking Peek to join him and Beckley when America receives a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame next year to mark the group’s career achievements as well as the 40th anniversary of the band winning the Grammy Award for Best New Artist. We’ll always acknowledge Dan’s contribution, and those years that we were together as America were really special times.” “We still do ‘Lonely People’ and ‘Don’t Cross the River’ every night on stage. “Dan wrote some songs, Dan played lead guitar and Dan sang the high harmonies - so at the end of the day his contributions have never been questions,” Bunnell explains. Shortly before Peek’s death, Bunnell told that Peek’s departure from the band was “an organic split” and that he and Beckley felt no acrimony towards their former band mate. ![]() My sincere condolences go out to Catherine and the entire Peek family. Dan & his music will live on in the great songs he shared with us all. Video: Dan Peek’s Biggest Hit With America, “Lonely People”īeckley’s note reads, “I am deeply saddened to hear the news of Dan’s passing. May Dan rest in peace, and his memory be cherished forever.” My sincere condolences go out to his wife, Catherine, and the entire Peek family. He goes on to say that, “Although we eventually went our separate ways, his contributions to the music of America have always been present and will last forever. Dan was an equal and integral part of that early history, and I have never forgotten the good times we spent making that music and learning about life together.” We created lasting music together and experienced a life that we could never have imagined. It was a joyous time for the three of us, full of excitement and laughter. Dan, along with Gerry (Beckley) & myself, formed the band America as teenagers after being great friends in high school during the late 60’s. Bunnell writes that, “I am so sorry to learn of Dan’s passings. Bunnell and Gerry Beckley have both paid tribute to him with notes on the duo’s own web site.
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