Discovering bands like America, Bread, Three Dog Night, is the real prize in doing a channel like this. As huge as these bands were back in the day, it would be as if they never existed if not for youtube, cool grandparents, or channels like this to keep them alive. Keep it up boys... you've just barely scratched the surface!! "A Horse With No Name" has to be your next for America. It is another journey for sure.
Celebrities and pop stars come and go... Rudolf Valentino, Enrico Caruso, Bing Crosby, Bob Hope, Glenn Miller... Elvis and Little Richard and James Brown and the Beatles might be remembered a hundred years from now, but groups like Jefferson Airplane, America, Grand Funk Railroad, Seals and Crofts, and a thousand others that were household names for a few years will just disappear.
@@donwomick3413 So true. John Denver, The Spinners, Jim Croce, the list goes on. BJ Thomas died just recently. If it not for his death I would have completely forgotten all the great songs he had in the 70s. They're just not played anywhere anymore. It was such a joy going back on RU-vid and rediscovering them all again. Seems almost criminal that so much great music can seemingly just vanish into thin air.
I hadn't heard this song in 40 years or more. When I heard the first bar of the opening riff just now, it was like the sun breaking through the clouds. Just because there was so much great music back then, and my taste was rougher music, America just never got high on my list. But to hear it now, this song and their other big ones (Horse With No Name!) are, as you said, flawless -- they go down like the smoothest bourbon.
Born in 66..started really liking music around 78-79..started playing guitar couple years later. There is so much music... I'll never hear it all..so much I still don't know about ...and I know it's basic history...blues jazz etc. I like Alex and Andy their great. If I'm not prying what was/is the rougher music Rlln' Stns..punk perhaps. How Hound Dog Taylor?
@@alexgramm5170 Not prying at all, thanks for your interest. Rolling Stones absolutely, Led Zepplin, Jethro Tull, Eagles, King Crimson, Elton John, Yes, Pink Floyd, ELP, the Who, that's what I listened to in college '73-'74. I think there were more, but I can't remember lol. Tull, Floyd, Elton John and Eagles were the least rough, perhaps, but their songs often had a little more edge or texture to them than America, and there were so many bands in the soft rock category like America back then. The other thing was in high school '70-'72, I listened to Crosby Stills & Nash, Simon & Garfunkel, softer Beatles, so maybe I was exhausted on "soft" music as America was coming on the scene.
@@alexjbennett1017 Great!...about the same for me late 70S early 80s..84 grad. High school I was 17. Loved Stand Up by J. Tull with the pop up figures.
Alex is correct, ' brats' is the commonly used term for the children of servicemen and women. I, for instance, grew up as a 'Navy brat' as my dad was a career Navy man. America were Air Force brats, the sons of U.S. Air Force members who were, at the time of the band's origin, stationed in England, and they called themselves America so as not to be taken for a British band. Great band! You should definitely do "Horse With No Name" and "Tin Man", as two more super smooth classics by America.
@Jon M very true. My husband grew up in the Panama Canal Zone but wasn’t a military brat. He refers to himself as a government brat. But collectively people from the Canal Zone call themselves Zonians.
It is so weird watching you guys not knowing who America and Bread are as they were huge everyday , household names to every kid in the 70's. Now I know how my parents felt when I didn't know any of the bands they listened to in the 50's.
@@dennisdobbs1493Yep. The lead singer David Gates said they were trying to think of a name for their band and they saw a bread truck and the rest is history. Not the greatest band name in the world but it fit their style perfectly.
Try Seals and Croft! This 2 man group has some of the most memorable and mesmerizing songs of the 70's! Summer Breeze, We may never pass this way again and Diamond Girl for starters!
As I noted in comments for "Sister Golden Hair"; ground zero for America (and all classic soft rock) is "Horse With No Name"; one listen and you'll see why it was so iconic and has not aged like many other soft rock songs. As for Bread, despite the name they were biggest soft rock band of the 1970's, not only for their incredible songcraft by leader David Gates, but because listening to (or better yet, playing on a guitar) Bread songs like "I Want To Make It With You" or "Baby I'm-a Want You" and their biggest hit, "If" meant you were getting some that night.
Also, that “filtered through two different sine waves on two different synths” lead guitar in “If” is iconic and was really hard to reproduce until the digital age. I still haven’t figured out how to reproduce it in Logic Pro. But I will…
@@LeChaunce I've reproduced it onstage using a combo of auto-wah, phase shifter and light tremolo. But the song is just as effective (I'd offer more effective) played solo on an acoustic guitar.
@@LeChaunce Unfortunately, I do not remember the settings (or even the brand of boxes I used) but I do remember the chain: auto-wah first for primary effect, then phaser to soften and give it "spacier" feel, then I found adding slight tremelo gave effect more depth, keeping it spacy but also keeping the wah definition. Hope that helps. Haven't played that style of music in awhile; normally play more in the style of classic rock, post-punk and indie, as well as blues.
Prince used the line "I've been hit by purple rain" as the inspiration for the title of his song "Purple Rain". The America song was inspired by a family trip: Dewey Bunnell, the song's vocalist and writer, has said that the lyric "alligator lizards in the air" in the song is a reference to the shapes of clouds in the sky he saw in 1963 while his family was driving down the coast from Vandenberg Air Force Base near Lompoc, California, where they had a flat tire. While his father changed the tire, his brother and he stood by the side of the road and watched the clouds and saw a road sign for "Ventura". from Wikipedia
I grew up in Tulsa Oklahoma, David Gates went to Rogers High. His brother, Zach, was my little sister's optometrist. We were Elementary School aged through the 70s. In that decade, Tulsa Oklahoma was the land of Land of Shelter Records- Leon Russell, Delaney & Bonnie, JJ Cale, Carl Radle, Jamie Oldaker, and David Gates. Then the great Jim Keltner. The GAP BAND, New Grass Revival Dwight Yokham & George Straits manager a Tulsan in the 80s. Gary Busey too Tony Randall went to Central High. Todd Van Fleet, another drummer came later. It's called the Tulsa Sound. East Texas Swing, Country & Blues,... Eric Clapton took a band of Tulsa musicians on tour. Dylan, George Harrison sightings at Pendletons Fried Chicken. David Gates was said to be very disciplined. Very focused. Not much of the musician party thing. I think this country is in dire need or a huge dose injection of 70s music. Music was so prevelant in everything.. Ok. Too long Be safe & Rock on Regardless!
Even though it came in second on the pole, you should still hit Seals & Crofts, either Summer Breeze or Diamond Girl, very similar to this yet uniquely different...
I'm not exactly sure why but here are what pop into my head after this song: Glenn Campbell - Wichita Lineman Yes - America Carol King - Its too late Allman Brothers - Melissa George Harrison - Give me love Cat Stevens - Wild World Yall keep cool and hydrate mi amigos!
They had me with the first line.Chewing on a piece of grass walking down the road.Brought me back to my childhood. This song is special.Makes me happy whenever I hear it.
I used to drive home on the Ventura Highway from my girlfriend's house, through the low rolling hills of Thousand Oaks/Agoura Hills/Calabasas, and I distinctly remember this song coming on the radio on a beautiful, mellow, sunny spring day; very little can touch that memory of just cruising along to this great tune.
When this song came out I was living in La Conchita near Ventura/ Santa Barbara county line. Very near where the writer had stopped along the highway next to the ocean there is no where else it could have been to be inspired to write this. I was 11. Oh yeah, and catching alligator lizards was my second favorite sport behind bodysurfing. Lol.
@@michaelrush3403 Agreed. I lived in Encino at the time, and my girlfriend was out in Simi Valley, so out the 101 I'd go, cutting over the 23 at Thousand Oaks. Good times.
Great choice! This song perfectly captures the feeling of a sunny afternoon, driving up the California coast. Coming from Florida myself, this song painted such a vivid picture in my head, that soon after I turned 18, I headed to California & found myself driving along the Pacific coast, in the Hollywood hills, and on the Ventura freeway (the 134), among others. I was living the dream! SoCal was EVERYTHING I’d hoped for. It did not disappoint. I lived there quite a few years, got married there, and we have since moved on, but I miss California SO much! Absolutely gorgeous, and the people were so nice. Time for a road trip!
Fantastic. Congratulations. I share this new video tribute to "Ventura Highway" - America ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-xS87l5yb3os.html I hope you like it.
Fantastic. Congratulations. I share this new video tribute to "Ventura Highway" - America ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-xS87l5yb3os.html I hope you like it.
Thanks lads,from a 62 year old Brit. You are not only reminding me of the music of my youth but also introducing me to cool stuff that passed me by. My cd collection is expanding nicely.
They still tour the casino and festival circuit heavily. Beckley and Bunnell will both talk to you like old buddies if you catch them at the bar after the show.
They've played our little small town festival twice since 1997. So has Kansas, Three Dog Night and Blood, Sweat & Tears. Single timers include everyone fron Blue Õyster Cult to WAR. The "oldies" bands/artists are slowly leaving us, but the festival circuit can still come up with a few surprises.
Alex is 100% correct. The term brat is for kids whose parents are in the military. Their fathers were stationed in Britain i believe when they formed the band.
I'm so happy to see that young people are appreciating music I grew up with. America is a great band! Some other suggestions would be Cat Stevens, Seals and Crofts.
There is a Ventura Hwy on the west coast in Ventura, California. There's plenty of sunshine and beautiful beaches. I've played this song while driving down Ventura Hwy. Great reaction.
Sooo glad you two are covering America...cool fyi...band member David Dickey (RIP) actually settled in my hometown ...his daughter and my oldest son became extremely close friends and Leah was at our home ALOT ...my husband has played w David D and was at his home one evening when David stopped playing w friends to take his "weekly Sunday call from....DON HENLEY!!" 😳 My hubby had the privilege of speaking briefly w Mr Henley... Sadly David passed away from cancer and his family moved ...but he was as much an amazing person as he was a musician. Keep up the good work 👏. .David would be sooo honored a new generation is listening to the band
•Summer by War • Hot time in The Summertime. Sly and the Family Stone • Summertime. By Mungo Jerry. • School's out for Summer. By Alice Cooper • Summer Breeze. Seals and Croft.
When I worked for Heart (40 yrs. ago) as a roadie, I had to a white convertible and drove down Ventura Highway, then on the 101 Hwy. ... of course listening to this song. And whole album. So much fun. ;-)
Songs like this really make a Friday. Funny that you mentioned Bread, because that was my suggestion if you wanted another band to compliment America. They have a good amount of hits. Great acoustic guitar and soul-touching harmonies. Lyrically, they are strong story tellers. I would suggest "Baby, I'm a Want You" or "Everything I Own." "Everything I Own" is among the most beautiful homages to a deceased father. "Diary" is a song about a guy who reads his girlfriend's diary - with a twist.
@@bobriedel3277 Someone liked them. They had hits. I can listen to Zep's Black Dog and also listen to Bread, and appreciate what both bring to the table. By the way, how many songs by Bread did you listen to before you came to that conclusion?
This came out the summer I learned to drive, so I was... 15? Takes me right to being in the car with my Dad, the open road, windows down, harmonizing together.... one of the best summers ever. Ventura Highway still makes both of us smile. :) You MUST do "A Horse With No Name!"
My favorites, other than the 2 you've now done, are Daisy Jane, Don't Cross The River, Only In Your Heart, A Horse With No Name, Sandman, Tin Man, Lonely People, and a few others.
@@jameswolfe8853 Yeah, that was off the top of my head, but I knew I was missing some. That's shy I said "and a few others" 😊 Thank you for your comment, and reminding us all about that last one.
Loved America, Bread, 3 Dog Night, back in the day. My go-to songs for the era. Bread's David Gates; phenomenal voice. Try America's Horse With No Name.
Stunning! I am 60 years old and German. Actually, musically I come from the Black Music area of the 70s and early 80s + Ska. But this debut album from America titled: Homecoming has been with me since the first day I heard it in 1972. The titles Tin Man,The Horse with no Name and Ventura Highway are for landmarks in the Soft Rock area. I instantly get in a good mood and wish I was on a road on the California coast. This album is simply superb and I will be listening to it to the last day.
This song ages like fine wine. Amazing melody + chill vibes + time = S Tier A nickel extra- this song is the first, I can think of, to mention purple rain.
Prince, the artist that loved to sue people at the drop of a hat over his music, took the term Purple Rain from this song and made it into a song, album and movie without permission from Dewey Bunnell, the original songwriter, and was never even called out on it. Dewey Bunnell is a nice guy.
This song paints such a beautiful, warm, sunkissed colored Southern Californian vibe...."Ventura Highway In the sunshine, where the days are longer, the nights are stronger than moonshine". Yes, A&A the perfect driving song. Love America. "TIN MAN", "LONELY PEOPLE", "I NEED YOU", and the deeper cut "MOON SONG". Check 'em out. I'm so glad you want to hear more.🌞
Please react to the runner up in this poll, "Summer Breeze" by Seals and Croft. Or check out "I'd really Love To See You Tonight" by England Dan and John Ford Coley. 🏝
This song opening closes the film “We Are Marshall” and brings the last mega-goosebumps that film constantly raises. Yes, the character in the scene has embarked on a life-changing moment and road trip. Perfect.
For this acoustic singer songwriter rabbit hole, it's got to be "Cat Stevens" (now Yusuf Cat Stevens). He's the most spiritual Cat (no pun intended) in the genre. America , Bread are probably the best of what's considered adult contemporary (soft rock aka Yacht rock easy breasy, sometimes cheesy), yet still not even close to the emotion "Cat Stevens" evokes. He is the most moving emotiinal singer songwriter period. Check -" Wild World" "Moonshadow' & Father and Son" for starters.
@@jotoole129 I know a lot of people love that song but it doesn't do it for me. I go for Bitter Blue, Peace Train, Wild World, Oh Very Young, Another Saturday Night, and if they are hitting Cat you have to go back to the early The First Cut Is the Deepest.
If you like America, there's no reason to not also check out Bread. Both are early '70s soft rock artists, and Bread's David Gates was both a good singer and a good songwriter. I'd probably star with "Everything I Own", but "If" is a beautiful ballad. "Bread" was late 60's slang for "money", so the double meaning may have been part of why they chose the band name. But I wouldn't worry about how good the band name is. What kind of a name for a band is "The Beatles"?
Grew up listening to my parents' copy of Best of Bread. Great melodies and lyrics. VERY soft and sometimes on the corny side, but when you're in a sensitive mood it can't be beat
The Beatles were big fans of Buddy Holly & the Crickets, which is why they named themselves after another insect. They just changed up the spelling to have the word "Beat" in it
@Otis Dylan yes to all of this! And I think Bread would be a great pathway to Glen Campbell, who they’ve also yet to discover. He was such a master. One of my favorite videos on RU-vid is David Gates singing a medley of Bread songs with Glen Campbell on Campbell’s variety show. That performance is absolute perfection. There wasn’t anything that Glen Campbell couldn’t do.
Never was a huge fan of the group, but I love watching these guys as they listen to songs for the first time, and their reactions and discussions. I watch even when I'm not a fan of the song.
Other America classics include A Horse With No Name (their biggest hit / best song), Tin Man, Lonely People and You Can Do Magic... all phenomenal songs
I Was 12 when this came out. My sister was 13. She's so literal, she could not deal with the non-sequitur lyrics "oh come on Joe you can always change your name". This was the first song I learned on guitar with major 7 chords.
For literal, read "literate." Even at 13, she could recognize abysmal writing. One can only conclude that the writers didn't give a damn about wordcraft.
Their earliest hits were all Bunnell's songs - Horse, this one, Tin Man. He wrote lyrics that are totally open texts. Beckley and Peek wrote more conventional love songs.
I heard in an interview with Beckley and Bunnell that you can recognize who wrote what by how many chords. "Dewey's songs have 2 chords. Mine have 138" - Gerry Beckley. Haha.
@@catherinelw9365 But Dewey’s chord choices are so great! He uses such interesting voicings and tunings. Three Roses, Moon Song, Rainbow Song, Cornwall Blank … only Dewey could come up with those chords
I have seen America several times over the years, most at festivals, and as great as Buckley and Brunnell’s voice, I miss Dan Peak’s voice, and was saddened when he left the band, and even sadder of his passing years ago
If you haven't already, Daisy Jane is another anesthetic one. It's so smooth that you almost listen to it subconsciously. Simple piano, haunting violin, and warm harmonies.
Tin Man is utterly fantastic - in my all time top 10. It's another song with a heavy George Martin influence, and if you really listen there are some tiny nuances that really make it.
It’s so great to see you hear this for the first time. It’s my favorite song of all time. I was 12 when it came out and remember jumping into a pile of leaves singing it.
"You Can Do Magic" is another good one by them. I remember when I was a kid and someone put together a video of Ralph Sampson (who was a 7'4" center at UVA at the time, and was supposed to be the next NBA superstar) and set it to that song. The video was cool and the song is great, but I shouldn't have believed the hype.
I grew up with that song playing at every junior high dance, so fun, or a sing along on the bus ride home. Oh, the good ol days. Imagine the smiles on all our faces, the entire bus singing. Played on an 8 track. Mid 70s.
I saw your heads bobbin’ there… An incredibly great groove in that song, laid down by LA Wrecking Crew members Hal Blaine on drums and Joe Osborn on bass. And flawless production by George Martin.
Nothing held Bread back. It's smooth soft rock. PROUDLY call myself an Army brat. Born on a military base and traveled the WORLD. I've been places people only dream of. The flower of the military child is... the dandelion. We blow all over with the wind and set down roots wherever we may land.
The story I heard about how America chose their name was that they were all Air Force brats with parents stationed in England, where they formed the band. When they were working out what to have as their name, they were listening to a juke box labeled or branded "Americana", which inspired them to try America as their band name.
That's not what I heard. They formed the band in the UK where their parents were stationed. They wanted their first audiences to know that they were the real deal and not just putting on a fake accent. A lot of the UK bands of that period were influenced by American musicians and adopted what was termed a 'Mid - Atlantic ' accent. (Although 'Dewey' Bunnell was actually born in Yorkshire, in the UK, and has dual citizenship, he was brought up in a pretty insular environment in an Airforce base, and with US Department of Defense schooling in London with other American and Canadian pupils)
I am so glad you both like it, i walk to theses songs and this one always makes me sad and happy at the same time. My early teen years. You would love Bread
They were all around 18 years old living in the UK with their parents in the Air Force when this song and album were created. One of the greatest bands of the late era.
Bread is also slang for money. The Wilson sisters from Heart were also military brats. Kids of career military who grow up on or around various military bases.
Any time I hear this song I think of my years going to school in San Diego. The song came out around that time. It was a special time in my life when I was pretty much carefree.
So I'm driving in to work yesterday morning and this song comes on. I'm humming away thinking "the guys really need to do this song, it's a different flavor for them." Fast forward to lunchtime, I get a notification that they just posted this video! Serendipity at its finest! Much love 💚 💚
"Siri" can you play America again. I want the 70's back. Every America song has a memory. You loved "Sister Golden Hair" , I don't think this will disappoint.