Dan Peek (November 1, 1950 – July 24, 2011)^[1] was a musician best known as a member of the rock band America from 1970 to 1977, together with Gerry Beckley and Dewey Bunnell. He contributed lead and backing vocals, guitars, bass, keyboards, and harmonica to their recordings during his tenure in the band. As a member of America, Peek contributed with four Top 100 singles: "Don't Cross The River" (#35), his most successful single "Lonely People" hit (#5), "Woman Tonight" (#44), and "Today's the Day" (#23). "Lonely People" and "Today's the Day" also hit number 1 on the Billboard AC charts. Although he did not write them, "Ventura Highway", "Sister Golden Hair", "Tin Man (song)", and "A Horse with No Name" are also collaborations of Peek's.

Peek, who was born in Panama City, Florida, left the band shortly after the February 1977 release of the Harbor album. Years of life on the road had taken a toll on him. He renewed his Christian faith, and had begun to seek a different artistic direction than Beckley or Bunnell. He went on to sign with Pat Boone's Lamb & Lion Records, and found success as a pioneering artist in the emerging Christian pop music genre. Outside of rejoining Beckley and Bunnell on stage on one spontaneous occasion several years after, Peek never reunited with America, contrary to various inaccurate reports which have arisen over the years, but that was in the context of Peek's solo career, and not as America. Peek's debut solo album, All Things Are Possible was released in 1979. Chris Christian co-wrote, produced, and contributed backing vocals on "All Things Are Possible" and was the first Contemporary Christian Hit to reach the Billboard charts, reaching the Top 10 in the A/C Billboard chart and number 1 in the Christian charts. Another song on the album was "Love Was Just Another Word", which was recorded in LA and written by Chris Christian and Steve Kipner. Gerry Beckley and Dewey Bunnell contributed the background vocals. This was the last time the three original members of "America" recorded together. Peek followed "All Things Are Possible" with "Doer of the Word". "Doer of the Word" was a number 1 Christian hit and Gerry Beckley sang background vocals on the record, but Gerry Beckley did the recording at Chris Christian's studio in Dallas and Dan was not present.

Peek would later release an autobiography entitled An American Band, based on America's most successful period, and his own spiritual journey.^[2]

Peek's first album and single became big hits on contemporary Christian music (CCM) radio stations and charts. The single "All Things Are Possible" not only hit number 1 on the CCM singles chart, it also crossed over to the Billboard singles and adult contemporary charts, becoming one of the earliest CCM's crossover hits.

Peek lost much of the momentum gained by the success of his initial hit by not releasing a second album for five years, 1984's Doer of the Word. While several of his songs would make the CCM charts, none crossed over to the Pop or Adult Contemporary charts. The delay really may have cost Peek in that regard with the title track, "Doer of the Word", which was an upbeat, very "America-like" song that was backed by Beckley. It hit number 2 on the CCM charts. 1986 saw the release of his Electrovoice album, again to the CCM market, which included a remake of "Lonely People", featuring a very similar lead vocal treatment and overall arrangement that was done on the original America version years prior. He changed some of the song's lyrics to reflect his Christian faith, for example the lines "And ride that highway in the sky" and "You never know until you try" became "And give your heart to Jesus Christ."

Peek spent much of the 1990s in semi-retirement, occasionally recording music at his home in the Cayman Islands. He released several solo projects and collaborated with Ken Marvin and Brian Gentry as "Peace" on three albums. In the years before his death, Peek released music via his web page.^[2]

Peek died in his sleep on July 24, 2011 at age 60 at his home in Farmington, Missouri.^[1]

Table Key:
CCM – Contemporary Christian Music Chart
BB – Billboard Pop Singles Chart
AC – Billboard Adult Contemporary Chart
CB – Cash Box Singles Chart

• Official website
• Dan Peek at AllMusic
• Dan Peek at IMDb
• Official America Homepage
• Official America fans page

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