America co-founder Dan Peek dies at 60

By Rima Bek

Farmington, MO (Hollywood Today) 07/26/11—Singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist Dan Peek, who co-founded Grammy Award-winning folk rock band ‘America’, was found dead on Sunday in Missouri, KSDK reports. The cause of his death is still unknown.

Peek was born in Florida, but traveled and attended many different schools during his youth. In the late 1960s, he attended high school in London and met fellow musicians Gerry Beckley and Dewey Bunnell. It was then that ‘America’ was formed and went on to produce chart-topping hits such as “Horse With No Name” (1972), “Ventura Highway” (1972) and “Lonely People” (1974).

Neil Portnow, chief executive of The Recording Academy which gives out Grammy Awards, said Peek was “a dynamic individual and great talent.” Portnow noted that Peek was a multi-talented musician who played the guitar, bass, keyboards, and harmonica.

In 1977, Peek left the band, experienced a spiritual awakening and pursued a career in contemporary Christian music after years of drug use. Two years later, he launched his first solo album “All Things Are Possible.” The same-titled single not only became a #1 hit on Christian contemporary music charts, but crossed over to Billboard and other adult contemporary music charts.

His website simply said, “Dan went to Heaven July 24, 2011.” While it hurts to hear about the death of such an inspirational individual, it’s great to know that he’s in a better place.