America on 'Horse With No Name' | The Big Interview

Gerry Beckley and Dewey Bunnell of the band America talk about how famous music producer George Martin helped them hone their musical talents, how their famous songs "Ventura Highway" and "Horse With No Name" came to be, and more on The Big Interview!

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[Afriqueleblanq]

And here I am, listening almost 53 years later, just as I did in '71

[TC-eoeb]

Gerry and Dewey, if you happen to read this, please know that as a teenager growing up in the mid 1970's, your music had a huge effect on my life and still does to this day. A few year ago my wife and I flew from Wisconsin to southern California. We rented a car and drove the PCH north of Malibu and played your America CD listening to Ventura Highway and Horse. Words cannot adequately describe the experience. We also saw you in concert in Milwaukee summer of 2023. Your music is timeless. Thanks for the memories.

[firefighterps]

Horse with no name was not only the first record I ever bought, but the first item I ever spent my own money on. Thank you, gentlemen.

[MsLoverockmusic]

I'm glad they mentioned Dan Peek towards the end and his important contributions to America.

[leworsmiley]

“This is for all the lonely people, thinking their life has pass them by” Thank you very much, im so encouraged now😊❤️

[glowaves]

These two with Dan Peek were such a beautiful trio and blend of harmonies.

[CaliKiwi-]

“America’s” songs are an integral part of my childhood soundtrack.. I can’t believe they aren’t in the Hall of Fame!

[rubicon-ohkm]

These three gentlemen are all part of the soundtrack of my youth. Hearing America songs sitting in the back of my parents '71 Town & Country and hearing Dan Rather every night on the CBS news while eating dinner with the family. Timeless memories.

[raynagel]

My God how I LOVED this group America one of the all time best!!

[kimberley-xuff]

America is one of my favorite groups. Thank you Dan Rather. From Canada 🇨🇦

[milessep]

I’d like to share something that happened to me while on holiday in LA. I’m an Aussie that had never been to the US. We visited Disneyland, and on our drive back from Anaheim to West Hollywood where we were staying, on the freeway I saw a sign that provided a lane direction to exit for Ventura. Automatically Ventura Highway rang in my head. I hadn’t heard the song for years, yet I was singing the tune all the way back.

The lady that we were staying with in West Hollywood would have a music channel on her TV that just played in the apartment all day. When I walked through the door, I couldn’t believe it, but Ventura Highway was playing. I was just blown away at the coincidence.

[beowulfthedane]

America, Bread, Carpenters, Jim Croce, John Denver, Olivia Newton John, ELO, Steve Miller, Bob Segar, Guess Who, Eagles, .38 Special were and still are my favorites. They all still get airplay, and covers of their songs are good. Not as good as the originals, of course. None of them screeched and all of them had songs that could touch your soul.

[tracythorleifson]

America - such a great band! Terrific interview!

[kylewood]

These guys wrote some of the most beautiful music, there records were revolving around my turntable during the mid 70’s quite often!

[DJ-bjku]

Great interview. Both very intelligent guys. These songs were the soundtrack of my youth.

[kenskinner]

Brilliant band, brilliant music and real musicians. Thank you for the music.

[nikolaibarbarich]

Sister Golden Hair is my favourite song. My daughters mother, who is no longer with us, loved that song as well. Absolutely phenomenal band from the best decade of music.

[guitartec]

Horse With No Name obviously has hit a musical nerve with countless people, me included! I remember when and where I heard it in 1971 for the first time. It struck me in a musical way that literally re-shaped my brain. From the odd lyrics to the heavily reverb'd mysterious bongos (or congas) in the background that sound like the clip-clop of a horse along with the textured vocal harmonies were what took me back, even tho I didn't know any of this at the time. Plus as a budding guitarist, I could hear it was simple to play on the guitar. Another thing to note is that while it "sounds" like a simple melodic two-chord progression, it's anything but simple. There's a 12 string guitar texturing as well as a second 6 string filling in with a more complex version of the 2 basic chords. Strum it in the least bit wrong and even non-guitarists can tell you're playing it wrong. There's a bass fill after the first verse when the drums come in which gets the song chuggin'. This amazing tune captures people in a big way even 50 years later.

[jimluciano]

Dewey and Jerry, you were such a part of my childhood musical soundtrack. You hooked me in 72 with horse and I’ve been listening ever since. Saw you in Pompano Beach last fall. I so appreciate your music. Keep on trucking and thanks!!!

[russelldaye]

Wonderful interview, no pretensions or arrogance. Simply accomplished musicians. 🎼🎶🎵