In The News

Founder member of rock band America passes away

Founder member of rock band America passes away

The death has taken place of Dan Peek who was a founder member of the rock band America. He was 60.

Mr. Peek formed the group along with Dewey Bunnell and Gerry Beckley in 1970.

Unusually, the three Americans formed the band in England and even had to use a Morris Minor car to practice in during their early days because they were so short of money.

All three were the children of US servicemen who were stationed in England.

The three musicians had met while attending school in London.

Their first album, America, was issued in 1971 but without the track, A Horse With No Name. 

When the album was then reissued with the track the album became a hit as did the single, A Horse With No Name. It helped them win a Grammy for best new artist.

The group went on to enjoy success with a number of albums and singles, including Homecoming (1972) and Holiday (1974), which was the first of their albums to be produced by George Martin.

However, Dan Peek decided to leave the group in 1977 to pursue a solo career.

He turned to contemporary christian music, and over the years had enjoyed success with his albums.

Mr. Peek remained friends with his old bandmates and he occasionally appear on stage with America.

To see Dan Peek perform Lonely People click here.

 

View previous In the News items: Film actress Linda Christian passes away, Scientist who supported the use of cryonics passes away, Music world is left stunned by death of Amy Winehouse, Top toy maker passes away, Tributes are paid to the artist Lucian Freud, Remains of former senior Nazi are exhumed, Graphic designer responsible for first record covers passes away, Songwriter Jerry Ragovoy passes away, Actress Googie Withers passes away, Tributes are paid to jazz singer Ottilie Patterson, Veteran Downtown Radio presenter passes away, Brady Bunch creator Sherwood Schwartz passes away, Tributes are paid to golf commentator Alex Hay, First cousin of the Queen passes away, Rock guitarist Wurzel Burston passes away, Former US first lady passes away, Popular romantic novelist passes away, Tributes are paid to Canadian actor Gordon Tootoosis, Lasting tribute is unveiled to Yorkshire comedian, Award winning actress Anna Massey passes away, Funeral is held of broadcasting legend, Tributes are paid to Rathlin Island boatman, Funeral of former Alliance Party leader takes place, Computer security pioneer Robert Morris passes away, Former jockey Richard Fox passes away, Tributes are paid to former Manchester City captain, Actress Margaret Tyzack passes away, Tributes are pid to Columbo star Peter Falk, Police name road accident victim in County Antrim, Former anti apartheid campaigner passes away, Oldest woman in the world passes away, Star of Jackass films dies in car accident, Saxophone player known as the Big Man passes away, Peace campaigner Brian Haw passes away, The man who ushered in the age of the barcode passes away, Remains are reinterred after Omagh ceremony, Singer Cark Gardner passes away in the US, Hundreds attend funeral of former Irish minister, Actor Donald Hewlett passes away, Man dies in County Antrim road accident, Jazz great Ray Bryant passes away, TV writer Leonard Stern passes away, Famous Indian artist dies in London, Actor Roy Skelton passes away or Singer and musician Andrew Gold passes away

 

If you have a relative or a friend who has passed away and feel they should be mentioned in our In the News section, then please email us.