QUESTION - RON, WHAT IS DAN PEEK'S CONNECTION TO SYRACUSE ?

Former "America" co-founder Dan Peek was born November 1, 1950 in Panama City, Florida. He was one of three members of the national recording group "America". Dan resided in Oneida, NY and then in North Syracuse, NY at age eight. His father was in the U.S. Air Force stationed three years at  Syracuse's Hancock Field. Dan attended Roxboro Road Middle School in the North Syracuse School District.

His father was then reassigned to the United Kingdom, where Dan attended high school.in England. He first band "Daze" (high school) started the formation of the group "America". After one year in College, Peek along with with Gerry Beckley and Dewey Bonnell obtained a small financial advance from Warner Brothers Records and the rest is history.

 American opened for such national acts as Pink Floyd, Cat Stevens and Elton John before hitting the Billboard charts with their song "A Horse with No Name".  This smash hit led to the releases on others " Woman Tonight", "Tin Man", "Sister Golden Hair", "Don't Cross the River", "Today's The Day" and " Lonely People".

America with Dan Peek did perform in Syracuse twice. The first at the Great American Music Fair at the New York State Fairgrounds w/ Beach Boys, Jefferson Starship and others- September 2, 1975. The final time September 1, 1976 at the War Memorial. During this performance Dan Peek did mention on stage his North Syracuse years.

Dan left America (the band) in 1977 and a short time later released his first solo album "All Things Are Possible" (MCA Songbook- 1978). Other US & UK solo recording followed "Doer of the Word" (1984), "Electro Voice" (1986), "Crossover" (1987), "Bodden Town" (1999-2000) and "Guitar Man" (2002) to name few a few. Peak also had a cd single "On Wings of Eagles".

Dan Peek sadly passed away on July 24, 2011 in Farmington, Missouri at age 60...