A word about the passing of Dan Peek!

We learned today that Dan Peek, one of the original members of AMERICA, passed away.   We don't have many details but he died a couple of days ago.

Back in the 1970's, AMERICA recorded a bunch of Top 10 singles and albums.

The guys had great 3-part harmonies such as The Bee Gees or Crosby Stills & Nash.  They were just great and so much fun to listen to!

The boys grew up in the UK.  Their fathers were US Air Force officers stationed in the UK.  Their mothers were British.  I guess that the US-UK mix was probably a good formula to create a trio of talented pop songwriters and performers.

Dan Peek left AMERICA in the late 1970's and I did not follow the group after that.   However, I was a huge fan when they recorded together.

America's first hit was "A horse with no name", a #1 international hit.  However, my two favorite songs were "Tin Man" and "Ventura Highway":

"Sometimes late when things are real
And people share the gift of gab between themselves
Some are quick to take the bait
And catch the perfect prize that waits among the shelves

But Oz never did give nothing to the Tin Man
That he didn't, didn't already have
And Cause never was the reason for the evening
Or the tropic of Sir Galahad.

So please believe in me
When I say I'm spinning round, round, round, round
Smoke glass stain bright color
Image going down, down, down, down
Soapsuds green like bubbles

Oh, Oz never did give nothing to the Tin Man
That he didn't, didn't already have
And Cause never was the reason for the evening
Or the tropic of Sir Galahad

So please believe in me
When I say I'm spinning round, round, round, round
Smoke glass stain bright color
Image going down, down, down, down
Soapsuds green like bubbles

No, Oz never did give nothing to the Tin Man
That he didn't, didn't already have
And Cause never was the reason for the evening
Or the tropic of Sir Galahad

So please believe in me...."

"Chewing on a piece of grass Walking down the road
Tell me, how long you gonna stay here Joe?
Some people say this town don't look
Good in snow You don't care, I know

Ventura Highway in the sunshine
Where the days are longer
The nights are stronger Than moonshine
You're gonna go I know

'Cause the free wind is blowin' through Your hair
And the days surround your daylight There

Seasons crying no despair Alligator lizards in the air

Wishin' on a falling star Waitin' for the early train
Sorry boy, but I've been hit by Purple rain
Aw, come on Joe, you can always
Change your name Thanks a lot son, just the same

Ventura Highway in the sunshine
Where the days are longer
The nights are stronger Than moonshine
You're gonna go I know

'Cause the free wind is blowin' through Your hair

And the days surround you daylight There

Seasons crying no despair Alligator lizards in the air...."

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