America's Most Beloved Highway

In the '70s, classic rock was considered an American culture. After its introduction in the previous decade, the genre evolved into a veritable form of self-expression and free speech while appealing to the American public. Among others, one notable band emerged and left an impressive mark in the still-wet concrete of early classic rock. America, consisting of Gerry Beckley, Dewey Bunnell, and Dan Peek, was considered a soft rock band while incorporating elements of  folk rock. As mentioned before, the three hippies took wise advantage of the "British invasion" and made their mark in America (no pun intended). Though born in America and raised acquainted with American culture, the trio lived predominantly in Britain as youngsters. Their nostalgic view of America and its liberties as a country led them to the name of their band.

One of America's most classic and popular songs is "I Need You", their first intended single for radio as well as the first song written by Gerry Beckley. Today their songs remain popular among classic rock enthusiasts and those with an appreciation for the mellow tunes and meaningful lyrics used by these three musicians. Other hit songs are as follows: "Ventura Highway", "Sister Golden Hair", "A Horse with No Name" (first and biggest hit in the United States), "Sandman", "Chasing the Rainbow", "Tin Man" (one of my favorites as far as lyrics go), and more.

After nine days I let the horse run free'Cause the desert had turned to sea.There were plants and birds and rocks and things,There was sand and hills and rings.The ocean is a desert with its life underground,And a perfect disguise above.Under the cities lies a heart made of ground,But the humans will give no love.

~"A Horse with No Name" (1971) 

After many phases of new members entering and leaving the group, the three British musicians remained a part of the band until their breakup in 1977.  (As seen in the below pictures, George Martin, producer for the Beatles, also produced for America.)  In 2011, Dan Peek died at the age of 60. As an example of the intense drug and alcohol abuse during this psychedelic era, Peek dedicated the rest of his life to Christian music as a source of comfort after splitting off from his fellow musicians. As a whole, America was one of the few bands to start and end humbly and maintain simple appearances toward the public, unlike the more exaggerated media-imposed domination of the Beatles.

Enjoy viewing the pictures and videos below featuring America. Notice the hip and time-appropriate style that is evident in nearly all of their photos... jeans, jeans, a t-shirt, jeans, long hair, and more jeans.

America as depicted in their 1972 Live Concert Album

Left to Right: Dewey Bunnell, Dan Peek, Gerry Beckley

Left to Right: Dan Peek, Gerry Beckley, Sir George Martin, and Dewey Bunell

 

July 3, 1976: Bi-Centennial concert performed with the Beach Boys and Santana at Anaheim Stadium

"I Need You"

"Sister Golden Hair"

The Kings of Classic Rock: The Beginning of a Music Revolution

In any club, at most parties, and along numerous city streets, loud techno and 21st century pop music can be heard, blaring from stereos and speakers. Young people across the globe listen passionately to today's hits, download digital music albums, watch their favorite bands on YouTube, and attend concerts. Music is heavily ingrained in our country's culture, beginning notably at the turn of the 20th century. Though today's generation is familiar with less modern styles of music, there is a lack of understanding of its history, which germinated from the seed of new technology and social change. As Blues-inspired Rock 'n Roll phased out, a new genre of music was born from the kings of classic rock: The Beatles. 

Even today, in the midst of a generation in love with erratic beats and computer-generated tunes, The Beatles are one of the most famous bands in the history of music. As the British quartet introduced a new genre to the American music industry, they birthed a new era of music. Media release, records, concerts, and the meanings of songs themselves took a revolutionary turn. Music began to stray from the superficial topics of Rock 'n Roll towards topics of social concern and influence. Since then, artists have taken bigger steps forward in the direction of true self-expression while revolutionizing media and advertising techniques.

These artists’ daring moves left a lasting impression on their fans, giving rise to several music fan “groups”. The hippies and rockers of the ‘60s, ‘70s, and ‘80s were deeply influenced by the classic rock they enjoyed, inspiring grand-scale events calling for peace and love, such as Woodstock (1969). At the turn of the seventh decade in the last century, disco became the pop of the ‘70s, with many classic rock enthusiasts swearing by “Death Before Disco,” a slogan used to express loyalty toward classic rock and distaste for the more upbeat dance music. Nonetheless, American culture adopted a new meaning of music.

Moreover, with the recent introduction of television, hosted shows such as "The Ed Sullivan Show" featured emerging bands. When the Beatles participated in the so-called "British invasion," they too were featured on The Ed Sullivan Show, thus kick-starting their career in America. Numerous bands and artists before then also gave rise to their careers through this show, beginning with the age of Rock 'n Roll in the '50s; thus began the revolution of the music industry. 

Take a stroll down Abbey Road to discover the impact and influence of various classic rock artists. Delve into the recent history of music, the lives and secrets of the artists, and the meanings of their creations. Enjoy the fun facts and videos included in the blog... "Dream On"!