America

With its breezy acoustic guitars, high vocal harmonies, and smooth production, America was one of the most popular U.S. folk-rock groups of the early '70s. Sons of U.S. servicemen stationed in England, America's members were schoolmates in London's Central High when they began composing and performing together. Three years later "A Horse With No Name" hit #1 in March 1972. A string of gold and platinum singles ("I Need You," #9, 1972; "Ventura Highway," #8, 1972; "Tin Man," #4, 1974; "Lonely People," #5, 1975; “Sister Golden Hair,” #1, 1975) and albums followed.

After Dan Peek’s departure in May 1977, America continued as a duo, but with less success. Peek, who had become a born-again Christian, made some religious records; his 1979 All Things Are Possible was nominated for a Grammy. In late 1981 Bunnell and Beckley were the subject of controversy when they toured South Africa, defying the “cultural boycott” the United Nations had instituted to protest the nation’s apartheid policies.

Bunnell and Beckley collaborated with Billy Mumy (Will Robinson from TV’s Lost in Space) and in 1982 America returned to the Top 10 with “You Can Do Magic” from View From the Ground. Subsequent albums, however, fared poorly, with Perspective (which included songs by Jimmy Webb, among others) peaking at #185. Bunnell and Beckley continue to tour; in 1993 Peek rejoined them as America opened for the Beach Boys. After a 10-year absence from the studio, Bunnell and Beckley returned to record Hourglass. In 1998 America signed a multialbum deal with Oxygen Records. That same year the band performed “Ventura Highway” at the inaugural ball for newly elected Minnesota governor/former WWF wrestler Jesse Ventura.

from The Rolling Stone Encyclopedia of Rock & Roll (Simon & Schuster, 2001)