Interview: America's Gerry Beckley: why They Never Reunited With Dan Peek

You can now join our mailing list and have access to all our videos.
America had 11 Top 40 hits and 2 number 1 songs. Their first was 1972's “A Horse With No Name” and then 1975's “Sister Golden Hair.” They had seven Top 10 hits. Their most fruitful period were the seventies when they were a trio with Gerry Beckley, Dewey Bunnell and Dan Peek who left in 1977 and passed in 2011. When I talked to Beckley I had to ask him the obvious question. (Clip 002)

They were a trio for seven years but a duo for 41 years. Beckley says they are different than many band that might not be the real deal anymore. (Clip 005)

John Beaudin has been in major market radio (Edmonton, Vancouver & Calgary) for 35 years and a music journalist since 1989. He graduated from Broadcasting school as a news man so he would have the skills to write about the artists that inspired him since he bought his first album, “Madman Across The Water” by Elton John as a teen. In the 80's Beaudin was the host of the syndicated radio show “The Cross Canada Report” which had two version (Rock and A/C). Beaudin was also asked to be a judge at the Juno Awards (Canada's answer to the Grammys) Twice. He has anchored every position in radio including morning and afternoon drive and was a Program and Music Director for The Breeze and California 103 in Calgary. He currently hosts the popular Lovesongs at QM-FM in Vancouver and on iHeartRadio.

[mrDCunningham]

Dan left on his own accord. Touring and being a star led him down the path that he didn't want. He found the Lord and had to get out for his own piece of mind. America was a great band.

[dking]

Dan was a great guy and had a GREAT sense of humor. I met him in a unique fashion when he played a 'lunch' set at UM-St. Louis back in the late 80's/early 90's. I remember they announced he was on his way but was going to be a bit late so I decided to head to the restroom. I was standing at one of two urinals when I heard the door bust open and a guy run in and say "gotta piss, gotta piss..." He runs up to the urinal, starts to do his business, lets out a big sigh and says "oh man, that was a heck of a long ride." I look over (I know, against the rules) and who is standing there? Dan Peek! Like an idiot I said "Hey! You're Dan Peek!" and he says "Yup! Nice to meet you! I'd shake your hand but, uh...you know"...Standing at the sink after washing our hands we talked for a few minutes, and I asked "the question": 'you think the three of you will ever play together again?' He laughed and said "maybe when Gerry stops hating my guts and Dewey wakes up; that's not likely to happen...ever..." He then took the time to sign my "America Complete" songbook and went on to play a great show. A great memory for me...

[freddieblue]

Gerry helped Dan with his first solo stuff after they broke up. People change and move on. I love them in all forms.

[ALong-foso]

America ‘s best music was with Dan Peek. They were never the same without him.

[davidrowell]

Here's a little from me on perspective. From all this, let's just be grateful that from 1972-77 we got some pretty great stuff from these 3 guys - the 6 years that they played together are really a long time in music when you consider all the rehearsals, recordings, gigs, travelling, promotion etc. that they went through together, on top of their personal lives. Whilst I genuinely understand fans' anger, disappointment & frustration at good (and great) bands breaking up, really, we need to all be glad that ANY of them had some productive and happy years in the first place. Dominant personalities, shifting priorities, egos, royalties and the classic 'creative differences' are natural; all these and more conspire to break up the vast majority of bands in the end. Whether that end is a year, 30 years, a decade or 6 months along the road, no one truly knows. Not even the band itself is often aware of its own impending demise. Blaming people for breakups &/or non-reunions is ultimately pointless, but fans still do it because they seem to need a reason to hold on to. For me, the 70's were better because 'America' was a part of it. As John Lennon said..."you've got the records, what more do you need?"

[uncleelmer]

I read Dan Peek's book which you can get on Amazon. He also is all over Youtube giving his reasons for not getting back to America. I think as fond as I am of Gerry Beckley and Dewey Bunnell (and I have seen them at least twice that I can recall), the fact remains that aside from "Magic" in 1982 that their hits were as a threesome and not a duo. They would not have been America without Dan Peek. I think the real reason is that I suspect that America did not want to work with Dan after all those years. I recall the book seeming to suggest that before he passed Dan Peek was warming up to the reunion idea but I suspect that maybe Gerry wasn't cool with it. To each his own. Dan's book is good. Check it out.

[ulyssesjohnparado]

america the band since the 70's has been a staple for me! legendary...still listening to them up to this pandemic february-2021!

[larrypeek-ityo]

i saw America three times in concert in Atlanta Georgia they were all great shows. All with Dan Peek

[Steve-tkfo]

I still think they made a big mistake in not reuniting with Dan Peek for at least one album and/or tour not matter what he says in this pre-2011 interview. It wouldn't have killed them to do it and it would've been a nice gesture to Dan Peek and the original America fans.

[jeffreyjacobs]

DAN PEEK was strung out from drugs, booze, too much travel, work, hindered personal life .... and finally CAME TO CHRIST .... and saved his life .... for THAT IN HIS OWN WORDS was what he needed and praises God then and thereafter ! God bless all three ... Dan is in Heaven Will listen to him when My Time Comes . GBjj

[austinpowers]

I don't understand why everyone in the comment section continues to argue about this topic. People change, and that's okay. Dan made his decision and I think we should respect it. To me personally, it doesn't matter the reasons why he left, there could've been a multitude of reasons. We'll never fully know. Which reason is the true reason? No idea! That's not for me, or us to decide. We weren't there, therefore we truly cannot speak on the matter! and it's even more silly to argue and get into angry debates about it.

There's a side to every story, obviously Gerry/Dewey are going to give their side of the story, just as Dan gives his, and all are going to remember it differently. I don't blame anyone for the choices they made. It is what it is.

What's even worse is when I see people villainizing Dan, Dewey, and Gerry in comment sections. I hate it. We can never truly know if any of these men are/were assholes cause most of us were never truly around them! It's unfair to blindly attack and to take turns blaming each member. This is unfair to them, and to us. Yes, we can go off of interviews and articles, and each to their own. But I feel like picking sides is useless.

I love both versions of America. Of course none of these men were perfect angelic saints! Duh! Shit happens. Money happens. drugs happen. Creative disagreements happen. changes in friendships happen.

And quite frankly, this whole drama happened such a long time ago and it's so pointless to fight over who was "right" It is none of our business. I can only hope that the other members respected and treated Dan well after he left. I wish vice versa did Dewey/Gerry. It's heartbreaking to imagine them all bad mouthing Dan or each other. I can't deny weather it happened or not. Who knows. All I hope is that everyone can just respect everyone else and move on. Cause at this point, things are just getting silly.

I personally never choose sides.

[danielcrowe]

I loved their music then and I love their music now and it's sad that there was never a reunion. What we as fans have to remember and accept is that this is a business, and when people go their separate ways in the music industry the ties are severed and probably the only thing to bring them back together is the probability of a large amount of money/royalties from touring and new record deals. They were magical as a trio; Gerry and Dewey are great as a duo. I wish that they could have settled their differences, but Dan's no longer with us. May he rest in peace.

[rebeccatracy]

Dan did the difficult thing…he took the narrow road. He left the drugs, sex, and pitfalls of fame behind. He did what God required of him. His eternity is better than anything this vapor of a life has to offer. Following Jesus in this life costs, but the rewards are unmatched in Heaven . ✌️

[synthvault]

What would we do without these videos and John? Another great post. America are so important and moreso to me as a guitarist for their acoustic inspiration and work. RIP Dan Peek :(

[the--outlawdoestech]

One, Dan Peek Left the band in 77’ Became a born-again Christian as well as a Christian contemporary artist. Secondly, for him to reunite with the band Would’ve brought back memories that sent him downward, And thirdly, He died of a heart attack in his sleep in 2011.

[djcrane]

They are/were all good people. Big respect for not resorting to negativity like a lot of other bands.
I'm not even sure Dan WANTED to rejoin the band.

[groundedapollo]

America's best years were those with Dan Peek in the in the group. Dan struggled with drugs and other temptations as well as weariness from the extensive touring that so many other rock stars fall prey to. Of course there were other interpersonal issues with Gerry and Dewey. Read Dan's book to gain a bit more insight.
Great band! See Musikladin's video to see the best performance of the band with Dan IMO!

[frankb]

In reality the success America had after Dan Peek left was miniscule compared to when he was contributing songs. His songs were and still are some of my favorite songs from this group and I was always disappointed that they didn't let him back in the band. Gerry and Dewey are amazing talents but perhaps they could have done better than playing county fairs if they had allowed a reunion.

[TonyMontana-goqe]

Always Loved them. Don't cross the river is my favorite America song.

[jeffokriya]

"today´s the Day" is one of my all-time favorites. Fabulous band.