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AMERICA

Gerry Beckley, Dewey Bunnell and Dan Peek formed AMERICA in 1969 in England. After completing their first demo recordings the group was sent to another studio to work on their musical style. The resulting recordings were released in 1971 as their debut album. The first single release "A Horse With No Name" immediately jumped to the top of the charts. The single flip-side - "Everyone I Met Is From California" was for a long time one of the rarest tracks released by AMERICA.

AMERICA singles
	1971: AMERICA - A Horse With No Name (Dewey Bunnell) b/w Everyone I Meet Is From California (Dan Peek) (Warner Brothers 7555)
	1972: AMERICA - A Horse With No Name (Dewey Bunnell) b/w Sandman (Dewey Bunnell) (Warner Brothers)
	1972: AMERICA - I Need You (Gerry Beckley) b/w Riverside (Dewey Bunnell) (Warner Brothers 7580)
	1972: AMERICA - Ventura Highway (Dewey Bunnell) b/w Saturn Nights (Dan Peek) (Warner Brothers 7641)
	1973: AMERICA - Don't Cross The River (Dan Peek) b/w To Each His Own (Gerry Beckley) (Warner Brothers 7670)
	1973: AMERICA - Don't Cross The River (Dan Peek) b/w Till The Sun Comes Up Again (Warner Brothers)
	1973: AMERICA - Only In Your Heart (Gerry Beckley) b/w Moon Song (Dewey Bunnell) (Warner Brothers 7694)

AMERICA album
	1972: AMERICA - America (Warner Brothers BS 2576)
	1972: AMERICA - Homecoming (Warner Brothers K46 180)

The first album by the group simply was called "America". It was released in 1971 in England. Once their debut album had become a success AMERICA returned to the studio, to record the follow up album. In the studio they were assisted by session musicians on bass and drums. "Homecoming" becomes another success for AMERICA. During their concerts in Europe and America it became clear that they needed drums and bass for their concerts.

The group started to look for the right musicians. They met David Dickey and he became the bass player for AMERICA. During the recordings of their third album "Hattrick" Hal Blaine, who already had played on the "Homecoming" sessions, joined the band. Due to his work as a session musician he could not join AMERICA full time.

AMERICA singles
	1973: AMERICA - Muskrat Love (Willie Alan Ramsey) b/w Cornwall Blank (Dewey Bunnell) (Warner Brothers 7725)
	1973: AMERICA - Rainbow Song (Dewey Bunnell) b/w Willow Tree Lullaby (Dan Peek) (Warner Brothers 7760)
	1974: AMERICA - She's Gonna Let You Down (Gerry Beckley) b/w Green Monkey (Dewey Bunnell) (Warner Brothers 7785)
	1974: AMERICA - Green Monkey (Dewey Bunnell) b/w Rainbow Song (Dewey Bunnell) (Warner Brothers)

AMERICA album
	1973: AMERICA - Hattrick (Warner Brothers WPCP 4495)

After the release of "Hattrick" AMERICA was introduced to George Martin, the former producer of the BEATLES, in 1974. He liked the music of AMERICA and he already had some ideas to enrich the sound of the group.

George Martin accepted to produce the next album in England. During this time AMERICA met Willie Leacox, a drummer who really fit into the group. Now AMERICA was able to play all instruments they needed.

With George Martin the group was able to become superstars. He gave all the freedom the group needed to them but when it came to the final arrangements he helped with all his experience. The first result of their cooperation was the album "Holiday". The album was the biggest success of AMERICA up to that point. Their next joint album "Hearts" repeats the success and the single "Sister Golden Hair" climbs the charts all over the world. When the record company decided to release a "Best Of..." album in 1975 ("History Of America") George Martin remixed some of their older recordings to make them sound fresher. For the next years AMERICA were either playing concerts or recording new material. The group seemed to be everywhere.

AMERICA singles
	1974: AMERICA - Tin Man (Dewey Bunnell) b/w In The Country (Dan Peek) (Warner Brothers 7839)
	1974: AMERICA - Lonely People (Dan & Catherine Peek) b/w Mad Dog (Gerry Beckley) (Warner Brothers WBS 8048)
	1975: AMERICA - Sister Golden Hair (Gerry Beckley) b/w Midnight ((Dewey Bunnell / Gerry Beckley) (Warner Brothers WBS 8086)
	1975: AMERICA - Con Tu Pelo Tan Dorado (Gerry Beckley / J. M. Pater) b/w Company (Dewey Bunnell) (E: Hispa Vox 45-1287 (SN))
	1975: AMERICA - Daisy Jane (Gerry Beckley) b/w Tomorrow (Dan Peek) (Warner Brothers WBS 8118)
	1975: AMERICA - Daisy Jane (Gerry Beckley) b/w Woman Tonight (Dan Peek) (Warner Brothers)
	1975: AMERICA - Woman Tonight (Dan Peek) b/w Bell Tree (Gerry Beckley) (Warner Brothers WBS 8157)
	1976: AMERICA - Simple Life (Dan Peek) b/w A Horse With No Name (Dewey Bunnell) (JPN: Warner Brothers P-101W)

AMERICA album
	1974: AMERICA - Holiday (Warner Brothers K 56 045)
	1975: AMERICA - Hearts (Warner Brothers BS 2852)

In 1975 David Dickey did not want to go to Europe with AMERICA so he was temporarily replaced by Calvin Samuels, who had played with CROSBY, STILLS, NASH & YOUNG in the early seventies. During their tour of Europe AMERICA also plays in the GERMAN TV show "Musikladen". This concert is released on a special video CD and on an audio CD in 1995. The concerts is also released on DVD 2001.

AMERICA album
	1975: AMERICA - Horse With No Name (Mastertone MM501) (Video CD + Audio CD of German Musikladen concert)

AMERICA DVD
	1975: AMERICA - Musikladen Live (Radio Bremen 4 031778 120078) (released 2001)

After their return to America David Dickey returned to the group just in time to record the album "Hideaway".

AMERICA singles
	1976: AMERICA - Today's The Day (Dan Peek) b/w Hideaway Part 2 (Dewey Bunnell) (Warner Brothers WBS 8212)
	1976: AMERICA - Today's The Day (Dan Peek) b/w Amber Cascades (Dewey Bunnell) (Warner Brothers)
	1976: AMERICA - Amber Cascades (Dewey Bunnell) b/w Who Loves You (Gerry Beckley) (Warner Brothers WBS 8238)
	1976: AMERICA - She's A Liar (Gerry Beckley) b/w She's Beside You (Dan Peek) (Warner Brothers)

AMERICA album
	1976: AMERICA - Hideaway (Warner Brothers WPCP 4791)

In 1976 Gerry Beckley, Dewey Bunnell and Dan Peek added Jim Calire (keyboards and saxophone) and Tom Walsh (percussion) to the line up. This new augmented group followed George Martin to Hawaii, to spent holidays and to record their next album at the same time.

AMERICA singles
	1977: AMERICA - God Of The Sun (Gerry Beckley) b/w Down To The Water (Dewey Bunnell) (Warner Brothers 8373)
	1977: AMERICA - Don't Cry Baby (Dan Peek) b/w Monster (Gerry Beckley) (Warner Brothers)
	1977: AMERICA - Slow Down (Dan Peek) b/w Sarah (Gerry Beckley) (Warner Brothers)

AMERICA album
	1977: AMERICA - Harbor (Warner Brothers WPCP 4792)

During another tour in 1977, their first without Dan Peek, they recorded an album, which was released later on as "America Live".

AMERICA album
	1977: AMERICA - Live (Warner Brothers 56434)

During their lenghty tours the group was able to develope their own style. Jimmy Calire, who did not only play the keyboards but also added some fine saxophone playing, refreshed the music of AMERICA. The first release featuring the guitar of Mike Woods was a recording of the old MAMAS AND PAPAS song"California Dreaming", which they recorded for the doundtrack to the film of the same name. The live album was the last album AMERICA had to give to Warner Brothers. In 1978 Dewey Bunnell and Gerry Beckley started to look for a new recording contract. Finally they signed a contract with Capitol Records. After signing the contract they went into a recording studio to record their first album for the new label. The album was released in 1979.

AMERICA recording
	1978: AMERICA - California Dreaming (John & Michelle Phillips) (released on the soundtrack album "v.a. - California Dreaming"; American International AILP 3001)

AMERICA singles
	1979: AMERICA - California Dreaming (John & Michelle Phillips) b/w ? (American International AI 700)
	1979: AMERICA - Only Game In Town (Casey Kelly / Julie Didier / Lewis Anderson) b/w High In The City (Gerry Beckley / Dewey Bunnell) (Capitol 4752)
	1979: AMERICA - All My Life (Gerry Beckley) b/w One Morning (Dewey Bunnell) (Capitol 4777)
	1979: AMERICA - All Around (Gerry Beckley / Dewey Bunnell) b/w 1960 (Gerry Beckley) (Capitol 4817)

AMERICA album
	1979: AMERICA - Silent Letter (Capitol 064-85 917)
	1979: AMERICA - Live In Central Park (Pioneer) (Laser Disc)

AMERICA DVD
	1979: AMERICA - Live In Central Park (EMI 724354 464294)

AMERICA singles
	1980: AMERICA - You Could've Been The One (J. Batdorf / S. Sheridan) b/w Catch That Train (Dewey Bunnell) (Capitol)
	1980: AMERICA - Hangover (Dewey Bunnell) b/w One In A Million (Gerry Beckley) (Capitol)
	1980: AMERICA - Survival (Gerry Beckley) b/w Only Game In Town (Casey Kelly / Julie Didier / Lewis Anderson) (Capitol)
	1980: AMERICA - Right Back To Me (Gerry Beckley) b/w ? (Capitol)

AMERICA album
	1980: AMERICA - Alibi (Capitol 064-86 201)

The recording experiences led to the idea to transfer the new fresh sound to the concerts. Dewey Bunnell and Gerry Beckley started to restructure AMERICA. Willie Leacox and Mike Woods stayed in the new line up but David Dickey who wanted to record his own compositions left AMERICA and joined BLUE STEEL.

For the next recordings all members of AMERICA went to the recording studio, but Dewey Bunnell and Gerry Beckley also used many session musicians for the recordings. The same was repeated for all of the studio recordings of the eighties. If one listens to the live recordings, which were recorded during the eighties ("King Biscuit Flower Hour Presents America In Concert" 1982 and "America In Concert" 1985), it is difficult to understand the reasons for this decision, as the live recordings in most cases sounded better than the studio recordings.

AMERICA singles
	1982: AMERICA - You Can Do Magic (Russ Ballard) b/w Even The Score (Dewey Bunnell) (Capitol 5142)
	1982: AMERICA - Right Before Your Eyes (Ian Thomas) b/w Inspector Mills (Gerry Beckley) (Capitol 5177)
	1982: AMERICA - Jody (Russ Ballard) b/w Inspector Mills (Gerry Beckley) (Capitol)
	1983: AMERICA - The Border (Russ Ballard / Dewey Bunnell) b/w Sometimes Lovers (Gerry Beckley) (Capitol 5236)
	1983: AMERICA - Cast The Spirit (Russ Ballard) b/w My Dear (Dewey Bunnell) (Capitol 5275)
	1984: AMERICA - Special Girl (E. Schwartz / D. Tyson) b/w Unconditional Love (Gerry Beckley) (Capitol 5398)
	1984: AMERICA - (Can't Fall Asleep To A) Lullaby (Dewey Bunnell / Steve Perry / Bill Mumy / Robert Haimer) b/w Fallin' Off The World (Dewey Bunnell / Bill Mumy) (Capitol 5430)

AMERICA album
	1982: AMERICA - View From The Ground (Capitol 064-400 111)
	1982: AMERICA - The Last Unicorn (Virgin 205 732)
	1982: AMERICA - King Biscuit Flower Hour Presents America In Concert (King Biscuit Flower Hour Records 07108 80012) (released 1995)
	1983: AMERICA - Your Move (Capitol 064 7122771)
	1984: AMERICA - Perspective (Capitol 064-24 0216)
	1985: AMERICA - In Concert (Capitol 064-24 0385)

After 1985 AMERICA seemed to have retired. There still were a few concerts but it should remain quiet till 1993. Rhino Records had asked AMERICA to record some new songs for a "Best Of..." compilation, which they were planning. "Encore" featured some new recordings. The five musicians really enjoyed their new cooperation in the studio and so they decided to become active again. In 1994 they released their first new album in almost ten years - "Hourglass". The next album was released in 1998 under the title "Human Nature". In 2000 Rhino released a 3-CD-retrospective covering the whole career of the group. The compilation even had some unreleased demo recordings. In 2001 another "Best of..." album was released and again this album had some new recordings. In 2002 AMERICA returned to their well known creativity. During the summer they recorded a christmas album together with Andrew Gold. Andrew Gold did not only produce the album but he also played all of the instruments.

AMERICA singles
	1994: AMERICA - Young Moon (Dewey Bunnell / Gerry Beckley) (American Grammophone)
	1994: AMERICA - Hope (Gerry Beckley) (American Grammophone)
	1994: AMERICA - Last Two To Dance ( ? ) (?)
	1998: AMERICA - From A Moving Train (Gerry Beckley) (Oxygene Records)
	1998: AMERICA - Wednesday Morning (Gerry Beckley) ( Oxygene Records)
	1998: AMERICA - Moment To Moment (Gerry Beckley / Phil Galdston) (Oxygene Records)

AMERICA album
	1991: AMERICA - Encore (Rhino Records 8122 70529 2)
	1994: AMERICA - Hourglass (American Grammophone 007198 767087)
	1998: AMERICA - Human Nature (Oxygene Records 324590004 2)
	2000: AMERICA - Highway / 30 Years Of America (Rhino Records 8122 79887 2)
	2001: AMERICA - Complete Greatest Hits (Rhino Records)
	2002: AMERICA - Holiday Harmony (Rhino Records 8122 74498)

AMERICA DVD
	1999: AMERICA - In Concert / Ohne Filter Live (InAkustik 07787 65077)

AMERICA album
	2002: AMERICA - The Grand Cayman Concert (America)

When AMERICA returned to the stage in January 2003 the bass player was Trent Stroh. Dewey Bunnell and Gerry Beckley did not want to rush things up, so they asked some friends to sit in. Trent Stroh played with AMERICA in January and February 2003.

AMERICA DVD
	2004: AMERICA - Live At The Sydney Opera House (Roadshow Entertainment1042389)
	2005: AMERICA - Live From Arena Monterrey, Nuevo Leon, Mexico

Early 2005 Gerry Beckley and Dewey Bunnell had the idea of playing a concert together with some of their best friends. They got in contact with Andrew Gold and asked him whether he could assemble a special band for that occasion. In the end Andrew Gold came up with an interesting band, which he was leading not only for some solo songs but also for the guest appearance of Stephen Bishop and finally for the AMERICA & FRIENDS songs.

AMERICA & FRIENDS 2005
Gerry Beckley gtr/pno/vcl	Dewey Bunnell gtr/vcl	Andrew Gold gtr/kybds/vcl	Richard Campbell bs/vcl	Dave Beyer dr	Luis Conte pcs	Mark Goldenberg gtr/vcl	Ana Guigui vcl	Louie Medina pcs	Jim Wilson kybds

After some rehearsals the group finally played and recorded a concert at the Ventura Theatre, CA on April 23rd, 2005. The recording was released in combi-set of one DVD and one CD, each containing the same songs.

AMERICA & FRIENDS DVD
	2005: AMERICA & FRIENDS - Live At The Ventura Theatre (Evovideo 897012 120446)

Early 2006 AMERICA went back into a studio and started to record their next studio album. The album is called "Here And Now" and it is a 2 CD set. The first CD contains all new material and the second shows a live performance of the greatest hits.

AMERICA 16 4/05 - ...
Gerry Beckley gtr/pno/vcl	Dewey Bunnell gtr/vcl	Mike Woods gtr/vcl	Richard Campbell bs/vcl	Willie Leacox dr/pcs

AMERICA album
	2006: AMERICA - Here And Now (Burgundy Records)