Happy Birthday To One Of America’s Finest: Dewey Bunnell

Dewey Bunnell burst upon the music scene in 1971 with along with the rest of America with the fabulous single, “A Horse With No Name.” At the time, America was a trio that also included Gerry Beckley and Dan Peek. Peek left the group in 1977 and America has been helmed by Beckley & Peek ever since.

Bunnell was the son of an American Air Force pilot and his English wife. He was born in Harrogate (Yorkshire). Bunnell met Beckley, and Peek at London Central Elementary High School. The three teenagers formed their band and recorded their album, calling themselves America because they didn’t want anyone thinking they were British trying to sound like Americans. Initially, their album didn’t include “A Horse with No Name,” but it was later reissued when the single made No.3 in the UK in early 1972. It’s one of those songs that resonates with all sorts of people for all sorts of reasons.

In the following six years, they released seven studio and live albums as well as a greatest hit package on Warner Bros. George Martin Their producer. When the band switched to Capitol Records for 1979’s Silent LetterMartin was retained as producer. After that, other producers were drafted and Beckley and Bunnell took over the position.

A constant throughout the band’s 20 plus albums has been the quality of the songwriting. Beckley and Bunnell both write independently, but sometimes together and with other writers outside of the band. But they’re perhaps known for “A Horse with No Name,” a song that none other than Michael Jackson reworked on his posthumous album, Xscape, as “A Place With No Name.”

Interestingly Michael’s sister Janet used another of Bunnell’s songs from America’s second album. “Ventura Highway’s” opening guitar riff and hook is sampled on Janet’s 2001 song “Someone to Call My Lover.” Her producers, Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis were influenced by America and “Ventura Highway” listening to KDWB 63 AM while growing up in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

We’ve compiled a selection of Bunnell’s songs on our playlist below, most notably selections from the beautiful Hourglass that includes a wonderful song co-written by Beckley and Bunnell called “Young Moon.” Check it out, among the many other gems, below.

In celebration of Dewey Bunnell’s birthday, this article will be republished today.

Follow the Dewey Bunnell’s View Of America playlist to hear some of his best recordings.

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