America - Songs

ABOUT

America is a highly acclaimed and veteran English-American pop/soft rock group with a signature close-knit harmonic, acoustic folk rock sound that became famous during the 1970s and early 1980s. Their best known songs include "A Horse With No Name" (1972), "Ventura Highway" (1972), "Tin Man" (1974), "Sister Golden Hair" (1975), and "You Can Do Magic" (1982).

Formed in London in 1970, the original lineup consisted of Gerry Beckley, Dewey Bunnell, and Dan Peek (November 1, 1950 - July 24, 2011) who all wrote songs, played guitar, and shared backing and lead vocals. The sons of U.S. Air Force personnel stationed in the U.K., Beckley and Peek both originally came from the U.S. and Bunnell was born in Yorkshire, England. After graduating high school, the trio formed America and soon after landed a contract with Warner Brothers. In 1971, America released its eponymous debut album, and after their initial success in the U.K., relocated to Los Angeles the following year.

America debuted in 1972 with "A Horse With No Name," which topped the Pop/Rock charts and also became a top hit in the U.K. and many other countries worldwide. This smash, which soon after went gold, was followed by "I Need You" (1972), "Ventura Highway" (1972), and other top hits that include "Tin Man" (1974) and "Lonely People" (1974) which both topped the Adult Contemporary chart and made the Pop/Rock Top 5. America topped the Pop/Rock charts again in 1975 with "Sister Golden Hair," and the group's hits, which continued through the early 1980s on both charts, also include "Daisy Jane" (1975), "Today's The Day" (1976), "You Can Do Magic" (1982), and "The Border" (1983). The group had its final charting song in late 1984 on the Adult Contemporary chart with "(Can't Fall Asleep To A) Lullaby."

At around the height of the group's commercial fame, Dan Peek left in 1977 to pursue a highly successful solo career as a contemporary Christian music artist, and America continued on as a duo along with a number of touring musicians, performing and recording actively to the present day. America's numerous honors and accolades include a Grammy for Best New Artist (1972), a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame (2012), and being inducted into the Vocal Group Hall of Fame in 2006. Their many recordings include the multi-platinum compilation, "History: America's Greatest Hits" (1975).

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SONGS

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America

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