Dexter also gave them their first major gig, December 20, 1970, at "Implosion" at the Roundhouse, Chalk Farm, as the opening act for The Who, Elton John, Patto and The Chalk Farm Salvation Army Band & Choir for a Christmas charity event. He co-produced the album and became the trio's manager. Jeff Dexter, Ian's roommate was involved with the music business himself. Samwell was best known for being Cliff Richard's lead guitarist as well as writing Richard's 1958 breakthrough hit, "Move It". Their first album was recorded at Trident Studios in London and produced by Ian Samwell. Through Ian Samwell and Jeff Dexter's efforts they were eventually contracted to Kinney Records (UK) in March 1971 by Ian Ralfini and assigned to the UK Warner Brothers label. They played their first gigs in the London area, including some highlights at the Roundhouse, Chalk Farm where Pink Floyd had played at the beginning of its career. Starting out with borrowed acoustic guitars, they developed a style which incorporated three-part vocal harmony with the style of contemporary folk-rock acts, much like Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young.Įventually the trio dubbed themselves America, chosen because they did not want anyone to think they were British musicians trying to sound American. Soon after his return to the UK the following year, the three met and began making music together. Peek left for the United States for an abortive attempt at college during 1969. Beckley and Peek had actually been born in the States and had spent some time growing up there before moving to England, while Bunnell was born in England. Sons of American fathers and British mothers (their fathers being military personnel stationed at the United States Air Force base at RAF South Ruislip, London), all three attended London Central High School at Bushey Hall, about 16 miles northwest of London in the mid-1960s, where they met while playing in two different bands. On January 16, 2007, America released Here & Now, the band's first major label studio album in over twenty years.
As late as 2009, America performed over 100 shows per year. Peek left the group in 1977 to pursue a solo career, but Beckley and Bunnell returned to the top 10 as a duo with "You Can Do Magic" in 1982. George Martin produced seven of their albums.
Their recording success stretched throughout the 1970s some of their best known songs are "A Horse with No Name", "Sister Golden Hair" (both of which reached No. 1), "Ventura Highway", "Tin Man", "Daisy Jane", and "Lonely People". The three members were barely out of their teens when they became a musical sensation in 1972, scoring No. 1 hits and winning a Grammy for best new musical artist. America (band)Īmerica is an American folk rock band formed in London in 1970 which originally consisted of Gerry Beckley, Dewey Bunnell, and Dan Peek.
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