Revisiting "America"

I went to see America perform at the Tulsa state Fair in September. This is something like the 4th time I have seen America over the years. Back in their so called "Heyday" (miod 70's), I saw them at the Tulsa Civic Center. Grat show! It was opened by Chad of Chad and Jeremy.. who was trying to make a solo career after the 60's furor had died down
At that show, all three guys, Dan, Dewey and Gerry played and harmonized. It was fantastic!
I had been turned on to the 1st America LP by my younger brother Tim. He bought the LP because of the song "Horse with No Name." I was, at that time, into a little harder edge of music... even though I had my bubble gum side, and my love for anything any of the ex-Beatles was doing, my collection had strayed into ZZ Top blues ( which they were doing then rather than the later MTV stuff like the "Eliminator" LP. As a side note.... Billy Gibbons can kick ass on a guitar), Nugent and etc.
The America LP was haunting. There at the tail end of the Vietnam War was a song about being drafted ( Sandman), and folky tunes that included "Riverside", "Three Roses" and "I Need You."
Seemed like everything they touched became a hit. The 2nd LP, "Homecoming" had the same folk oriented standard guitars. "ventura Highway" made me ant to drive that road. Te 3rd LP, they introduced some electric to, including some Joe Walsh solo.
Took my high school sweetheart to the show (even though she was destined to break up with me that winter...not even "Muskrat Love: could save that relationship!) WE had "way Back" seats, but they were great!
Dan Peeks eventually left the band to pursue a Christian oriented music career. Gerry and Dewey continued on. They scored the soundtrack to an animated version of a great book by Peter Beagle, "The Last Unicorn." "You can Do Magic" was classic America harmony.
I saw them again in the 80's at the Tulsa River parks floating stage, Once again, a great show. Then, I didn't see them agaion for 20 years. I know they passed nearby on their regular toursm, but between coaching and raising a new family, I missed a lot of concerts!
Just a couple years ago, I wnet with my son, Fletch, who had developed a love for classicl rock music, to see them play in Oklahoma City at the open Zoo Amphitheater. They opend the show for Chicago. Both ends of the show were better than expected. Gerry and Dewey were still great in their vocals and the music was tight. Chicago played a great set even though the band had been a revolving door of musicians for years.. since te early death of Terry Katt and the 80's departure of peter Cetera. A few of the originals are there... and they played like they were still in 1974. It was powerful.
I always check the fair schedules to see if there's anyone worth going to see. I rarely go to the fair now unless there's a band to see. The last couple had been disappointing. A few years ago, "Grand Funk," my first concert band, played there, but the only original member was Don Brewer the drummer. No Mark Farner. Then. last year, went to see another fav of mine, "Blue Oyster Cult." It rained like crazy, forcing the outdoor show to be moved into the fairgrounds pavilion and delayed till the finish of the rodeo that evening. Lead Guitarist Buck Dharma was delayed in Dallas because of the storm, and his licks were played by a back up ( who did a great job... but ti wasn't Buck) and the crowd was small because of the hellacious rain storm.
I was excited to see "America" listed at the big outdoor Oklahoma stage. I told some buddies about it.. and Max, fellow coach and teacher, was fired up about it. Max made me burn a best of CD so we could listen to it on the way to the show.
Max showed up at my house in his pick up to drive us to the show. As soon as I got in, he handed me a beer. I was a little nervous... open container, etc. We stopped to pick up Doonie, who brought 2 more beers out for each of us to drink on the 20 minute drive to the fairgrounds.
By the time we got to the stage, after stopping to buy another expensive fair beer, we stationed ourselves in the best seating possible... just behind the preferred seating section and waited, gossiped and sipped the most expensive cheap beer ever.
The sun finally dipped below the horizon and the band stepped on the stage. They played almost everything, including a few tunes from their new CD. Max was insistent that he, not pnly did not want to hear "Muskrat Love" at the show, but "By God", I better not put it on the CD I burned either.
It took me back. Their vocals were right one. The music was terrific. They had lost nothing, nor had they become one of those "oldies" bands that simply lived on 20 year old songs. It was like I was there in the 70's again, except for the fact that my date then was much cuter than Max or Doonie.
Just one month before the show, original member Dan Peeks had passed away. If I remember correctly, the immediate cause of death was unknown. He died in his sleep at teh age of 61.
I can still recall his soft vocals on songs such as "Lonely People." Great musician.