RIP: Dan Peek

I saw on Bill Korch’s Facebook page that Dan Peek, formerly of America, passed away on Sunday. He succumbed to heart disease and an enlarged heart. He was found dead in his bed by his wife at their Farmington, Missouri home. His funeral will be held this coming Monday.

Like his partners in America, Gerry Beckley and Dewey Bunnell, Peek was a son of American airman stationed in London and his British wife. The band took its name from the Americana brand of jukeboxes and the fact they were citizens of a country they had rarely visited.

Peek left America in 1977 for a career in contemporary Christian music. Beckley and Bunnell continued as a duo. While Dewey Bunnell sang lead on their first hit “Horse with No Name,” it was the first time we heard the high harmonies of Dan Peek.

This #1 record was their biggest hit spending three weeks at the top of the charts and was certified gold. Their debut album, also a #1 release, was certified platinum. The album spent five weeks at the number one spot. It also serves as our TV Thursday song as it was featured in a Kohl’s commercial for Vera Wang.

Kohl’s Commercial from 2008

Rest in Peace Dan Peek.