The song became a major worldwide hit in early 1972. After several performances and a TV show, it was re-titled "A Horse with No Name". The song had its public debut at The Harrogate Festival, four days later, to great audience response. One of them was a Bunnell composition called "Desert Song", which Dexter previously demoed during studio rehearsals in Puddletown, Dorset at the home of Arthur Brown. Samwell and Dexter subsequently brought the trio to Morgan Studios to record several additional songs. The debut album was released in 1971 to only moderate success, although it sold well in the Netherlands, where Dexter had taken them as a training ground to practice their craft. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band, Samwell convinced them to perfect their acoustic style instead. Although the trio initially planned to record the album in a similar manner to The Beatles' Sgt. Dexter also gave them their first major gig, December 20, 1970, at "Implosion" at the Roundhouse, Chalk Farm, as the opening act for The Who, Elton John, Patto and The Chalk Farm Salvation Army Band & Choir for a Christmas charity event. He co-produced the album and became the trio's manager. Jeff Dexter, Ian's roommate was involved with the music business himself. Samwell was best known for being Cliff Richard's lead guitarist as well as writing Richard's 1958 breakthrough hit, "Move It". Their first album was recorded at Trident Studios in London and produced by Ian Samwell. Through Ian Samwell and Jeff Dexter's efforts they were eventually contracted to Kinney Records (UK) in March 1971 by Ian Ralfini and assigned to the UK Warner Brothers label. They played their first gigs in the London area, including some highlights at the Roundhouse, Chalk Farm where Pink Floyd had played at the beginning of its career. Starting out with borrowed acoustic guitars, they developed a style which incorporated three-part vocal harmony with the style of contemporary folk-rock acts, much like Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young.Įventually the trio dubbed themselves America, chosen because they did not want anyone to think they were British musicians trying to sound American. Soon after his return to the UK the following year, the three met and began making music together. Peek left for the United States for an abortive attempt at college during 1969. Beckley and Peek had actually been born in the States and had spent some time growing up there before moving to England, while Bunnell was born in England. Sons of American fathers and British mothers (their fathers being military personnel stationed at the United States Air Force base at RAF South Ruislip, London), all three attended London Central High School at Bushey Hall, about 16 miles northwest of London in the mid-1960s, where they met while playing in two different bands. America has been inducted into the Vocal Group Hall of Fame and has received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Their 2007 album Here & Now was a collaboration with a new generation of musicians who credited the band as an influence. Peek left the group in 1977 and their commercial fortunes declined, despite a brief return to the top in 1982 with the single "You Can Do Magic".įour decades into their career, the group continues to record material and tour with regularity. History: America's Greatest Hits, a compilation of singles, was released the same year and was certified multi-platinum in the United States and Australia. 1974's Holiday featured the hits "Tin Man" and "Lonely People", and 1975's Hearts generated the number one single "Sister Golden Hair", alongside "Daisy Jane". Homecoming (1972) produced the single "Ventura Highway", and preceded Hat Trick (1973), which fared poorly on the charts. Their debut, a 1971 self-titled album, produced the transatlantic hits "A Horse with No Name" and "I Need You". The band came together shortly after the members' graduation from high school, and a record deal with Warner Bros. This popularity was confirmed by a string of hit albums and singles, many of which found airplay on pop stations. America achieved significant popularity in the 1970s, and was famous for the trio's close vocal harmonies and light acoustic folk sound. The trio first met in London, where they began performing live.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |