Dan Peek, a founding member of 70s folk rock band America has died.
According to the CP, Peek's wife Catherine found him dead in bed on Sunday at his home in Farmington, Montana.
The cause of death is unknown and an autopsy was planned.
Peek's father was in the U.S. Air Force and he met fellow "air force brats" Dewey Bunnell and Gerry Beckley while attending high school in London. America formed and the group recorded three platinum albums and three gold albums and had eight Top 40 hits between 1971 and 1975.
"It was a joyous time for the three of us, full of excitement and laughter," Dewey Bunnell wrote on the band's website after learning of Peek's death. "We created lasting music together and experienced a life that we could never have imagined."
Their hits include Horse With No Name, Tin Man, Sister Golden Hair and Daisy Jane.
Peek apparently got fed up with the rock and roll lifestyle and left the group in 1977. He renewed his Christian faith after years of recreatioal drug use, signed with Pat Boone's label Lion & Lamb records and started a career in Contemporary Christian music.
After his departure, America suffered a slump before a successful comeback in 1982 with the album View from the Ground. Meanhwile, Peek's first solo album in 1979, All Things Are Possible, reached No. 1 on the Contemporary Christian Music chart and was nominated for a Grammy.
Peek chronicled his years in America in the memoir An American Band: The America Story.
Peek and his wife had no children.
Gerry Beckley wrote on the group's website, "Dan & his music will live on in the great songs he shared with us all."
: 3:50 PM
6 Comments
You made a lot of great music. Thank you for the gift that you gave us. God bless you brother. You are with the Lord now singing your songs for him.
Thank you for "A Horse With No Name" a timeless classic that I still listen to in my car on my iPod. That beautiful poetic song is every bit as enjoyable today as it was when I bought it the first time on vinyl. What a wonderful gift.
RIP Dan, your music was wonderful. I remember being in California for the first time, driving along the coast, and singing 'Ventura Highway .. in the sunshine ..', knowing I was finally, after 30 years there and seeing the places that inspired the wonderful music.
You made a lot of great music. Thank you for the gift that you gave us. God bless you brother. You are with the Lord now singing your songs for him.
Posted by: David Scott | 07/28/2011 at 11:25 AM
the river flows, peace be upon him...
Posted by: joseph | 07/29/2011 at 05:03 AM
A great loss, & way too soon. I'll do 'Lonely People' as a tribute at my next open mic gig. RIP
Posted by: Doug MacKenzie | 07/29/2011 at 08:30 AM
Thank you for "A Horse With No Name" a timeless classic that I still listen to in my car on my iPod. That beautiful poetic song is every bit as enjoyable today as it was when I bought it the first time on vinyl. What a wonderful gift.
Posted by: Spyke | 07/29/2011 at 01:57 PM
So sad to hear this, and way too young to die.
I loved America's music. 'Sister Goldenhair' and 'Ventura Highway' were my favourites.
Time slips away so quickly. RIP Dan.
Posted by: Kinz | 08/02/2011 at 12:50 AM
RIP Dan, your music was wonderful. I remember being in California for the first time, driving along the coast, and singing 'Ventura Highway .. in the sunshine ..', knowing I was finally, after 30 years there and seeing the places that inspired the wonderful music.
Posted by: emmie | 08/02/2011 at 01:02 AM