The American Spectator : The Spectacle Blog : Dan Peek, R.I.P.

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Dan Peek, former member of the 1970's rock band America, passed away yesterday at the age of 60. His cause of death is unknown. Peek's official website simply states, "Dan went to Heaven on July 24, 2011." Underneath that caption is a YouTube video of him performing "Lonely People."

Peek along with Gerry Beckley and Dewey Bunnell were Air Force brats who met in England while attending London Central High School. After a brief sojourn back stateside, Peek returned to the U.K. in 1970 and renewed acquaintances with Beckley and Bunnell and formed the group America. In 1972, America released its self-titled debut album which included classics like "A Horse With No Name", "I Need You" and "Sandman." Peek also contributed several lesser known songs to that album such as "Rainy Day" and "Never Found The Time" (I could only find a cover version.)

In 1977, Peek abruptly left the group unhappy with fame and fortune and the excesses that came with it and subsequently became a born-again Christian. Aside from a spontaneous on-stage reunion in 1980, America would remain a duo. Nevertheless, Peek remained friends with Beckley and Bunnell as one can attest from their tribute posted on their official website. Peek would record several Christian pop albums in the late 1970s and early to mid 1980s. Here's an interview Peek did a few years ago recounting his time with America and his decision to leave that life behind.

In 2005, I had the opportunity to meet Beckley and Bunnell following a concert in Lowell, Massachusetts and told them how much I enjoyed their music. I wish I could have done the same with Dan Peek.

View all comments (7) | Leave a comment

Nobama| 7.25.11 @ 9:13PM

I loved their music. Great memories of when I was very young.

Hurricane| 7.26.11 @ 1:14AM

the tributes from beckley and bunnell ring hollow as they were not friendly towards dan peek for many, many years....

beebop| 7.26.11 @ 6:01AM

I attended a small university in the greater DC area. There was an amphatheater formed by the placement of three dormitories. The autumn of 1970, there was seldom a time when you walked through that area that you wouldn't hear Horse With No Name carried on the wind. I hope he has found his paradise. That is one hell of a great song.

Dave| 7.26.11 @ 9:15AM

This is sad for those of us who admired him, but he is with the Father in heaven. He renewed his Christian faith after he left America, and recorded many Christian albums through the years, including an absolutely beautiful song called "All Things Are Possible" that was one of Contemporary Christian Music's first crossover hits, reaching #78 on the Billboard Pop Singles chart and #6 on the Billboard Adult Contemporary chart in 1979. Check it out if you loved his voice and artistry. He will be missed.

Dave| 7.26.11 @ 9:16AM

Sorry... I should have read the whole post before I commented as much of what I said is redundant. My apologies, Mr. Goldstein.

Aaron Goldstein| 7.26.11 @ 10:13AM

No apology necessary. Your words complimented mine.

astorian| 7.26.11 @ 10:06AM

All three of America’s members seemed like good guys, and unlike many pop stars of their generation, they all seemed to be devoted family men, too .

A few years back, on a VH1 “Where Are They Now” bit, Dewey Bunnell and Gerry Beckley were asked how they’d managed to stay so close to their families. Bunnell laughed and said candidly, “Well ,we haven’t had a big hit in almost 20 years, which means we’re not in huge demand and that means we spend a lot more time at home than if we were still big stars.” Beckley chimed in, “Exactly. So, the secret of our success has really been our utter LACK of success.”

Dan’s high harmonies were sorely missed, after he left the band. Of all the songs on which he did the lead vocals, I suppose "Don't Cross the River" was my favorite.