Dan Peek facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Dan Peek
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Peek performing in 1972
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | Daniel Milton Peek |
| Born | November 1, 1950 Panama City, Florida, U.S. |
| Died | July 24, 2011 (aged 60) Farmington, Missouri, U.S. |
| Genres | Folk rock, soft rock, country rock, contemporary Christian |
| Instruments | Vocals, guitars, bass, keyboards, harmonica |
| Years active | 1969–2011 |
| Labels | Warner Bros., Lamb & Lion |
Daniel Milton Peek (born November 1, 1950 – died July 24, 2011) was an American musician. He was best known as a member of the folk rock band America from 1970 to 1977. He played in the band with Gerry Beckley and Dewey Bunnell. Many people call him a "pioneer" in contemporary Christian music, which means he helped start this type of music.
Contents
Early Life
Dan Peek was born in Panama City, Florida, on November 1, 1950. His father was in the U.S. Air Force, so his family moved around a lot.
Starting in 1963, Dan went to school in London, England. He also attended high school in San Angelo, Texas, for a year. In 1968, his family moved back to London. This is where he met Dewey Bunnell and Gerry Beckley at London Central High School. They would later form the band America.
In 1973, Dan married Catherine Maberry. They wrote several songs together, including the hit song "Lonely People".
When Dan was a young boy, he had a sickness called rheumatoid arthritis. This made his joints hurt and swell. He had to stay in the hospital for weeks, far from his family. His parents could only visit him sometimes. This experience stayed with him. Years later, he decided to sell five of his old guitars. He donated the money, which was $50,000, to the Ronald McDonald House Charities. This charity helps families of sick children stay close to hospitals.
Music Career
Joining America
After a short time at college in Virginia, Dan Peek returned to London in 1969. Soon, he, Gerry Beckley, and Dewey Bunnell started making music together. They had all been classmates at London Central High School.
Dan was known for singing the high parts in their songs. He also sang lead vocals and played many instruments. These included guitar, bass, keyboards, and harmonica. As a member of America, Dan helped write or co-write four songs that made it into the Top 100. These songs were "Don't Cross the River", "Lonely People", "Woman Tonight", and "Today's the Day". He sang the main vocals on all of them. "Lonely People" and "Today's the Day" even reached number one on the Billboard Adult Contemporary charts.
Dan decided to leave the band America in 1977. He was tired of constantly traveling and the lifestyle that came with being a famous musician. In 2004, he wrote a book about his time with the band called An American Band: The America Story. He said it was hard to write because it brought back some difficult memories.
Solo Music and Christian Faith
Life on the road with America had been tough for Dan. He decided to focus on his Christian faith. He wanted to make a different kind of music than Gerry and Dewey. He signed with Pat Boone's Lamb & Lion Records. There, he became a successful artist in the new Christian pop music style.
Dan's first solo album, All Things Are Possible, came out in 1979. The main song from the album, "All Things Are Possible", became a big hit. It reached the Top 10 on the Billboard Adult Contemporary chart. It also hit number one on the Christian music charts. This made it one of the first Christian songs to become popular with a wider audience.
Another song on the album was "Love Was Just Another Word". Gerry Beckley and Dewey Bunnell sang background vocals on this song. This was the last time all three original members of America recorded music together. The album was even nominated for a Grammy Award!
Dan waited five years before releasing his second solo album, Doer of the Word, in 1984. This album reached number 2 on the Christian charts. Gerry Beckley also sang background vocals on this album. In 1986, Dan released Electrovoice. This album included a new version of "Lonely People". He changed some of the words in the song to show his Christian faith. For example, "And ride that highway in the sky" became "And give your heart to Jesus Christ".
During the 1990s, Dan mostly stayed out of the spotlight. He recorded music at his home in Bodden Town, on Grand Cayman Island. He released several solo projects. He also worked with Ken Marvin and Brian Gentry in a group called "Peace". Before he passed away, Dan released music through his website. His last musical work was singing on a song for the album Steps on the Water by Etcetera in 2011.
He also published his book, An American Band, which told the story of America's most successful years and his own spiritual journey.
Later Years and Passing
Dan Peek passed away peacefully in his sleep on July 24, 2011. He was 60 years old. He died at his home in Farmington, Missouri. He was buried in Zolman Cemetery in Farmington.
See also
In Spanish: Dan Peek para niños
