![]() In 2020, the band released their ultimate 8-disc anniversary box set, Half Century (America Records), and streamed their concert special America-Live at the London Palladium for the very first time (it is commercially available as a DVD and CD). Their growth as singers, songwriters and musicians has continued into the present day as illustrated by landmark releases such as 2000's Highway 3-disc box set, 2002's Holiday Harmony, an album comprised of seasonal classics and live showcases, 2007's Here & Now, 2009's Live In Concert: Wildwood Springs, 2011's Back Pages, and 2015's Lost And Found and America: Archives Vol. Shifts in sound and direction, changes in producers and managers, and a renewed dedication to the craft of songwriting helped rocket America to the upper reaches of the pop charts in 1982 with their smash single, "You Can Do Magic." During this tumultuous time in their career, Beckley and Bunnell immersed themselves in their craft, infusing a newfound maturity into their rich body of work. With Peek's departure from the fold in 1977, Gerry Beckley & Dewey Bunnell rose to the challenge and carried on as a duo. This successful team went on to record seven albums and several Top Ten hits, including "Tin Man," "Sister Golden Hair" and "Lonely People."īy the mid-70s, inter-band conflicts combined with an exhaustive touring and recording schedule exacted its toll on the group. The trio won the Grammy for Best New Artist in 1972 and began working with George Martin and Geoff Emerick in 1974. Their material encompassed an ambitious artistic swath from effects-laden rockers to oddball medleys to soul-bearing ballads, America displayed a flawless blend of disparate genres and styles as wide-open as the great American plains.Įnjoying massive success early in their career, America earned their stripes as musical soldiers on the battlefield amidst the excess, craziness and chaos of the 70's. The combination of Gerry Beckley's melodic pop rock and Dewey Bunnell's use of folk-jazz elements, slinky Latin-leaning rhythms and impressionistic lyric imagery contrasted well with Dan Peek's more traditional country-rock leanings and highly personal lyrics.Īmerica's albums-six certified gold and/or platinum, with their first greatest hits collection, History, hitting four plus million in sales-displayed a fuller range of the trio's talents than did their singles. Yet beyond their impressive catalog of hits, listeners would discover there was always much more to America than surface perceptions. Their best-known tunes, which also include "I Need You," "Ventura Highway," "Don't Cross The River," "Tin Man," "Lonely People," and "Sister Golden Hair" were cornerstones of 1970's Top 40 and FM rock radio. Forty plus years later, these friends are still making music together, touring the world and thrilling audiences with their timeless sound.Īmerica's journey has found them exploring a wide variety of musical terrain. Founding members, Gerry Beckley and Dewey Bunnell (along with former band mate, the late Dan Peek) met in high school in London in the late 1960s and quickly harmonized their way to the top of the charts on the strength of their signature song "A Horse With No Name." America became a global household name and paved the way with an impressive string of hits following the success of their first #1 single. Since he worked as a producer for EMI at the time, he appears on this album under the alias "Asa Jones".America, the perennial classic-rock favorite, is continuing to celebrate its 50th Anniversary with their powerful performances. However, he did produce the album, as well as sing vocals on one of the tracks. It's the second album without founding member Dick Taylor and the first without bassist Wally Waller as a full member, who had been with the band since the band's 1967 album Emotions. It was released in late 1972 on Warner Bros. Gordon Huntley – Pedal steel guitar on "Country Road"įreeway Madness is the 6th album by the English rock band Pretty Things. The Pretty Things Band Members / Musicians "Onion Soup" (live at The Lyceum, London, Summer 1973) 8:17 "Love Is Good" (live at The Lyceum, London, Summer 1973) 6:43ġ4. "Havana Bound" (live at The Lyceum, London, Summer 1973) 4:20ġ3. "Religion's Dead" (live at The Lyceum, London, Summer 1973) 4:46ġ2. The Pretty Things - Freeway Madness (1972)īonus tracks from 2002 CD reissue by Repertoire Recordsġ1.
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