Dewey Bunnell and Andy Barr
America, the British-based rock band, visited Harrah’s SoCal Resort on their Ride On Tour 2024. Though many might dismiss them as soft rock, easy-listening pop, they are so much more than that. This band has been recording and touring for fifty-four years.
Created in 1970 by one English-born and two American boys living in London, they have enjoyed a lucrative career. Their catalog includes many top-10 songs and number-one hits, and they have released 28 studio albums.
The original members, Dewey Bunnell, Dan Peek, and Gerry Beckley, were Air Force Brats whose fathers were stationed in London, England. They met in high school and, after graduation, began playing music, writing songs, and joining various bands before getting together and naming their band, “America.” Warner Brothers’ music label liked their sound and agreed to represent them.
“Horse With No Name” became their first No. 1 hit on Billboard’s Hot 100 in 1972. Many hit singles followed. In 1973, America was named Best New Artist at the annual Grammy Awards. In 1974, Sir George Martin and Geoff Emerick (both of Beatles fame) started working with the band, and together, they produced numerous top-ten hit songs.
In 1977, disillusioned with the rock and roll lifestyle and touring, Dan Peek left the band to pursue a solo career in Christian music. He was responsible for writing or co-writing two number-one singles for America, for which he also sang lead: “Lonely People” and “Today’s the Day.” Peek signed on with the Lamb and Lion Music label and enjoyed success in that genre. He is today considered a pioneer in Christian music, having written one of the first crossover hits. Peek died in 2011.
Dewey Bunnell IS America, along with a beautifully talented backup band, on the current tour. Gerry Beckley was not in attendance, having retired this year from the touring band to spend time with his family. The brilliant backup band includes Andy Barr (vocals, guitars, keyboards), Richard Cambell (bass and vocals), Ryland Steen (drums, percussion, vocals), and Steve Fekete (guitars, keyboards, vocals).
The crowd at Harrah’s was a mixture of young and not-so-young. Some of the audience looked to me to be younger than the band has been in existence. Some in the crowd hadn’t even been born in 1970. It’s a testament to the everlasting quality and overall appeal of this talented band and their music. The music is timeless, and their songs range from slow rock ballads to plaintive love songs to genuine rock and roll songs reflecting the angst and rebellion of 1960s youth and its opposition to the Vietnam War. As Dan Peek pointed out in his book, “An American Band,” when choosing a name, they chose to be identified as American; English bands were everywhere in London. American music was hot.
Singer-Songwriter/Guitarist Andy Barr
As the audience waited restlessly for the show to begin, the house lights dimmed, and the opening song, “Miniature,” slowly began, and the hit song, “Tin Man,” which was met by cheers and enthusiastic applause. A video accompanied the 70s montage on the screens that lit up the stage. As the group continued, they played hit after hit, including “You Can Do Magic,” “Don’t Cross the River,” and “Riverside.” They slowed the tempo to sing the poignant song “I Need You.” It was truly amazing to hear all of these hit songs that this prolific trio had created. These were songs that I didn’t think I remembered, but when they were played, they were instantly recognizable. America had some genuinely talented songwriters in Bunnell, Peek, and Beckley. The songs were more than just tunes; they mirrored our lives. What is music if not a way to transport the listener to a certain mood, memory, or feeling?
Next up were “Here,” “Ventura Highway,”” Don’t Cross the River,” “Here,” and “Ventura Highway.”
“Daisy Jane” was sung beautifully and hauntingly, and then they paid tribute to the Mamas and the Papas’ hit song “California Dreamin’” and Neil Young’s “Cinnamon Girl.” Next up was the hit “Lonely People,” followed by a wonderfully challenging rock version of “Sandman,” including a 1960s-inspired video of the times, an emotional retelling of the angst of the 1960s and the reshaping of America, our country.
“Sister Golden Hair,” one of the many number one hits, led into the song they are probably best known for: “Horse With No Name.” It is said that Dewey Bunnell wrote this song while living in the endless fog in London and dreaming about the California desert. No America concert would be complete without this beautiful, heartfelt song, the one that started it all.
Thank you, America, for a magical evening.