Dan Peek, Christian Rocker and Founder of Band America Passes Away at 60
Christian artist and founding member the band America, Dan Peek passed away at age 60 on Sunday. The cause of death is still unknown.
Peek wrote the hit song “Lonely People” for America. He left the band in 1977 to pursue a career in Christian music. Former band mate and friend, Dewey Bunnel commented about the death of Peek on his website: “I am so sorry to learn on Dans passing. Dan, along with Gerry [Beckley] and myself formed the band America as teenagers after being great friends in high school during the late 60’s. It was a joyous time for the three of us full of excitement and laughter.”
He added: “We created lasting music together and experienced a life that we could never have imagined. Although we eventually went our separate ways, his contributions to the music of ‘America’ have always been present and will last forever.”
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Third band mate Gerry Beckley also expressed his grief for the death of his friend.
“I am deeply saddened to hear the news of Dans passing. He was a dear friend for many years. Dan and his music will live on in the great songs he shared with us all.”
Peeks official website displays a simple message reading: “Dan Went to Heaven on July 24th.”
No other information about his death has been offered at this time.
According to Bunnel, Peek had no bad blood with the group and described his departure from the band as an “organic split”.
America enjoyed much success achieving three albums certified platinum with another three certified gold. They also had eight Top 40 hits by 1975.
Peek left the band after becoming disenchanted with the lifestyle of traveling bands; being surrounded by recreational drug use and sex. He became a born-again Christian and launched his solo career in Christian Contemporary music.
Peek’s title track off his first solo album “All Things Are Possible” reached number one in the Christian Contemporary music chart in 1979.
