101-401: " California Dreamin ' " is a song written by John and Michelle Phillips in 1963 and first recorded by Barry McGuire . The best-known version is by the Mamas & the Papas , who sang backup on the original version and released it as a single in December 1965. The lyrics express the narrator's longing for the warmth of Los Angeles during a cold winter in New York City. It is recorded in
202-423: A Carling Premier commercial in 1997, peaking at number nine. Billboard described the song as having "a fascinating new sound with well written commercial material" and praised Lou Adler 's production ." Cash Box described it as a "medium-paced, rhythmic shufflin' romantic woeser [sic] with a plaintive, lyrical undercurrent." The song is used repeatedly in the 1994 Hong Kong film Chungking Express as
303-664: A liver transplant in 1992. Several months later, photographs of him drinking alcohol in a bar in Palm Springs, California , were published in the National Enquirer . On March 14, 1994, during his first Howard Stern Show appearance since the transplant, he said, "Occasionally I have a drink", when asked if he still drank. Phillips spent his last years in Palm Springs, California , with Farnaz Arasteh, his fourth wife. On March 18, 2001, he died of heart failure in Los Angeles at
404-649: A televangelist preacher on Playing God . Although it was named as one of the top-10 music CDs of the year in Japan in 1995, the album was not released outside Japan until four years later. America fans were also treated to a concert album in 1995. Released by the King Biscuit Flower Hour Records, Inc., the concert was actually taken from a 1982 instalment of the King Biscuit Flower Hour radio show. Known as In Concert (not to be confused with
505-470: A 10-year abusive and incestuous relationship. In her memoir High on Arrival , Mackenzie wrote that the relationship began in 1979 when she was 19 years old. She said that the abuse began after Phillips raped her while they were both under the influence of heavy narcotics on the eve of her first marriage. On The Oprah Winfrey Show on September 23, 2009, Mackenzie Phillips said that her father injected her with cocaine and heroin . According to Phillips,
606-481: A beach house on the island of Kauai . The album, Harbor , released in February 1977, continued the trend of decreasing sales for the group. It was their first album to fail to score either platinum or gold, and none of its three singles charted. In May 1977 Dan Peek left the band. In his 2004 autobiography, An American Band , Peek states that he was voted out after missing a tour rehearsal but Bunnell later denied this
707-598: A central plot point and a cover by the Beach Boys was used on season 4 of Stranger Things . Michelle Phillips wrote the lyrics, "Well, I got down on my knees, and I pretend to pray," but Cass Elliot had sung "began" on the original recording and had continued doing so on tour until corrected by Phillips. According to Dan Daley: The Mamas & the Papas Additional musicians Production Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone. In
808-521: A compilation of America's best-known tracks in December 1975, History: America's Greatest Hits , which went platinum. Martin, who produced the album, also remixed the tracks culled from the group's first three albums. During early 1976, the group recorded its sixth studio album at Caribou Ranch near Nederland, Colorado , inspiring the album's title, Hideaway , which Martin produced. Released in April 1976,
909-609: A compilation titled Best of the Journeymen , have since been reissued on CD. He developed his craft in Greenwich Village , during the American folk music revival , and met future Mamas & the Papas members Denny Doherty and Cass Elliot there around that time. Lyrics in the group's song " Creeque Alley " describe this period. Phillips was the primary songwriter and musical arranger of
1010-488: A fuller live sound, adding Dave Atwood (who had played as a session musician on their debut album) on drums and David Dickey (formerly of the group Captain) on bass in late 1972. But their next tour was delayed until January 1973 after Peek fell ill with hepatitis . On 11 March 1973, Atwood was replaced by Dickey's former Captain bandmate, Willie Leacox. America's second album, Homecoming , was released in November 1972. Awarded
1111-517: A gold disc in December 1972, the album's million sales figure was confirmed by the RIAA in 1975. The group reached the top 10 again with Bunnell's " Ventura Highway ". Based on their first two albums, the group won a Grammy Award for Best New Artist of 1972. The group's output grew increasingly ambitious. Their third offering, Hat Trick , was released in October 1973 following several months of recording at
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#17329059515711212-510: A hit soundtrack album: the recording of "California Dreamin ' " by America was therefore given parallel release with the movie, another soundtrack item: "See It My Way" by session group F.D.R., serving as B-side . Both the America single and (in April 1978) the soundtrack album were issued by AIP on its own label (distributed by Casablanca): outside the US and Canada, Casablanca acted as label of release. By
1313-476: A liberal arts college for men in Hampden Sydney, Virginia , dropping out in 1959. Phillips traveled to New York in the early 1960s in the hope of gaining a record contract. His first band, The Journeymen, was a folk trio, with Scott McKenzie and Dick Weissman . They were fairly successful, putting out three albums, and had several appearances on the 1960s TV show Hootenanny . All three albums, as well as
1414-498: A major worldwide hit in early 1972. It sold over one million copies, and was awarded a gold disc by the RIAA in March 1972. America's debut album was released in the U.S. that same month, with the hit song added, and quickly went platinum . The album resulted in a second major chart success with Beckley's " I Need You ", which peaked at number 9 on the US charts. After their initial success,
1515-439: A mandatory America concert title. A live performance of the song by America is featured on In Concert , the band's 1996 album release of a 1982 live gig. The band's 1978 recording was included on the 2000 America retrospective box set Highway: 30 Years of America as well as on The Complete Greatest Hits in 2001. The Beach Boys recorded "California Dreamin ' " in 1986 for their greatest hits compilation Made in U.S. It
1616-433: A number of high-profile musicians, including the Beach Boys' Carl Wilson , Toto 's Jeff Porcaro , Christopher Cross and Dean Parks . Former Argent guitarist Russ Ballard , though, had the greatest effect on the group's fortunes. Ballard produced and played all of the instruments and sang most of the background vocals on a song he crafted especially for the band, called " You Can Do Magic ". The song rose quickly through
1717-468: A rock thing [compared to the original], [with] a full sound but reliant on the harmonies." The track was originally scheduled for a January 15, 1979, release which was delayed until after AIP's February 1979 pacting with Casablanca Records to distribute the California Dreaming soundtrack, Casablanca having recently managed to bolster the modest success of the film Thank God It's Friday through
1818-419: A second album was delayed by the relocation, as well as by an injury to Peek's arm. Deciding not to replace Samwell, the group opted to produce the album themselves. The trio began their move away from a mainly acoustic style to a more rock style with the help of Hal Blaine on drums and Joe Osborn on bass. With Peek playing lead electric guitar on more tracks, the group expanded from an acoustic trio to embrace
1919-479: A sentimental favorite of the band's members having been a setlist staple of the cover band in which all three had performed while London Central High School students in the late 1960s. The recording of "California Dreamin ' " by America was specifically made to play under the closing credits of the American International Pictures (AIP) movie release California Dreaming which had been shot in
2020-473: A song that featured a memorable opening guitar riff admittedly inspired by George Harrison 's " My Sweet Lord " and frank relationship lyrics inspired by Jackson Browne . The follow-up single, Beckley's ballad "Daisy Jane", also scored among the top 20 shortly after. Peek's reggae -influenced Woman Tonight was a third success (No. 44 in the US) from the album towards the end of the year. Warner Bros. released
2121-614: A star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2012. While their fathers were stationed at the United States Air Force base at RAF South Ruislip near London in the mid-1960s, Gerry Beckley , Dewey Bunnell , and Dan Peek attended London Central High School at Bushey Hall , where they met while playing in two different bands. Peek left for the United States for a failed attempt at college during 1969. Soon after his return to
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#17329059515712222-665: A tavern located in Oklahoma from another Marine during a poker game. His mother, Edna Gertrude (née Gaines), who had English ancestry, met his father in Oklahoma. According to Phillips's autobiography, Papa John , his father was a heavy drinker who suffered from poor health. Phillips grew up in Alexandria, Virginia, where he was inspired by Marlon Brando to be "street tough". From 1942 to 1946, he attended Linton Hall Military School in Bristow, Virginia. According to his autobiography, he "hated
2323-563: A three-week stint on the charts in October 1984. Their mainstream commercial success over, Beckley and Bunnell ended their Capitol contract with In Concert , released in July 1985. The album was recorded at the Arlington Theater in Santa Barbara, California on 1 June 1985. In Concert became the first America album to miss the charts entirely. Beckley and Bunnell spent the latter half of
2424-683: The Billboard Hot 100 chart and number 20 on the Billboard Rhythm & Blues Singles chart. The song was the A-side of a single which became a big hit when radio stations started to play the B-side with his cover of " Light My Fire ", which reached number 3 on the Billboard Hot 100 and was popular in many other countries around the world. This elaborate string version with jazz Latin influences serves as
2525-518: The Billboard album charts in October 2001, The Complete Greatest Hits was America's first charting album since Perspective in 1984. On the solo front, in February 2000, Beckley released Go Man Go , an album of remixed tracks from Van Go Gan . The original Van Go Gan finally had a domestic release that July with bonus tracks. June was the roll-out of another Beckley side project, Like A Brother , recorded with Robert Lamm and Carl Wilson under
2626-515: The 1985 Capitol release of the same name), King Biscuit experienced modest success with the album (though America themselves did not; it failed to break the charts). This success resulted in a new record deal with King Biscuit's subsidiary label, Oxygen Records. After rumours that Steely Dan producer Gary Katz would produce the project came and went, the album eventually reached stores in September 1998. The new album, entitled Human Nature after
2727-557: The Billboard Hot 100 in 1983. The group continues to record material and tour regularly. Its 2007 album Here & Now was a collaboration with a new generation of musicians who have credited the band as an influence. America won a Grammy Award for Best New Artist and were nominated for Best Pop Vocal Group at the 15th Annual Grammy Awards in 1973. The group was inducted into the Vocal Group Hall of Fame in 2006 and received
2828-474: The Record Plant Studios in Los Angeles. Again self-produced, the album featured strings, harmonicas, an eight-minute title track, and tap dancing. Beckley, Bunnell, and Peek were once again joined by Blaine on drums, while Osborn was replaced by their touring bassist, David Dickey. The album was not as successful as Homecoming , featuring only one modestly successful single, " Muskrat Love " (number 67 in
2929-593: The Ventura Concert Theater joined with Stephen Bishop and Andrew Gold directed by Sheldon Osmond. Also in 2005, America appeared on the PBS concert series Soundstage with long-time friend Christopher Cross and a guest appearance by rock photographer Henry Diltz on banjo. In April 2006 after a few solo concerts, Beckley released his third solo album, Horizontal Fall , which was largely ignored by both critics and buyers. His 2011 follow-up, Unfortunate Casino , met
3030-475: The 1970s, the trio was famous for its close vocal harmonies and light acoustic folk rock sound. The band released a string of hit albums and singles, many of which found airplay on pop and soft rock stations. The band came together shortly after the members' graduation from high school in the late 1960s. In 1970 Peek joined the band and they signed a record deal with Warner Bros . The following year, they released their self-titled debut album , which included
3131-476: The 1980s focusing on their live show, performing well over 100 times a year around the world. While America remained a hot ticket on the touring circuit, they were unable to land a recording contract in the years after they left the Capitol label. By the early 1990s, the development of compact discs led to the reissuing of many older popular albums, providing acts such as America with revived sales. During 1991, America
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3232-516: The Beach Boys along with John Phillips, Michelle Phillips and Roger McGuinn . Denny Doherty was on the East coast and declined; Cass Elliot had died in 1974. Credits sourced from Craig Slowinski and Andrew G. Doe. The Beach Boys unknown – bass, drums, acoustic lead guitar, synthesizer Credits sourced from Disco GS and Allmusic guide. Released as a single on RCA Records in the summer of 1968, José Feliciano 's arrangement reached number 43 on
3333-480: The Ground failed to achieve gold-rated sales, it scored as high as number 41 on the album charts, a significant improvement over the previous few releases. Having had success with Ballard, Beckley and Bunnell asked the former Argent performer to produce their next album, Your Move , in its entirety. In the end, Ballard wrote most of the songs and performed most of the instruments in addition to his production duties. For
3434-551: The Hollywood Hills and socializing with stars such as Jack Nicholson , Warren Beatty , and Roman Polanski . The Mamas and the Papas broke up in 1968 largely because Cass Elliot wanted to go solo and because of personal problems between Phillips, his wife Michelle, and Denny Doherty, including Michelle's affair with Doherty. As Michelle Phillips later recounted, "Cass confronted me and said 'I don't get it. You could have any man you want. Why would you take mine?'" Michelle Phillips
3535-606: The London area, including some highlights at the Roundhouse in London's Chalk Farm district. They were eventually taken on by producer Ian Samwell , best known for writing Cliff Richard 's 1958 breakthrough hit " Move It ", and his partner Jeff Dexter , and through their efforts were eventually contracted to Kinney Records (UK) in March 1971 by Ian Ralfini and assigned to the UK Warner Bros. label. Their first album, America (1971) ,
3636-470: The Mamas and the Papas as part of the event as well. The festival was planned in just seven weeks, and was developed as a way to validate rock music as an art form in the way jazz and folk were regarded. It was the first major pop-rock music event in history. He also co-produced the film Monterey Pop (1968) with the group's producer Lou Adler . John and Michelle Phillips became Hollywood celebrities, living in
3737-693: The Mamas and the Papas. In a 1968 interview, Phillips described some of his arrangements as "well-arranged two-part harmony moving in opposite directions". After being signed to Dunhill , they had six Billboard Top Ten hits – " California Dreamin' ", " Monday, Monday ", " I Saw Her Again ", " Creeque Alley ", " Words of Love " and " Dedicated to the One I Love ". Phillips helped promote the Monterey International Pop Music Festival held June 16– 18, 1967, in Monterey, California; he performed with
3838-542: The Papas were inducted into the Rock 'n' Roll Hall of Fame on January 12, 1998, and the Vocal Group Hall of Fame in 2000. B-side: "April Anne" B-side: "Cup of Tea" America (band) America are a British-American rock band formed in London in 1970 by English-born American Dewey Bunnell and Americans Dan Peek and Gerry Beckley . The trio met as sons of US Air Force personnel stationed in London, where they began performing live. Achieving significant popularity in
3939-568: The Rise , and wrote music for films. Between 1969 and 1974, Phillips and Waïte worked on a script and composed over 30 songs for a space-themed musical called Man on the Moon , which was eventually produced by Andy Warhol but played for just two days in New York after receiving disastrous opening night reviews. Phillips moved to London in 1973, where Mick Jagger encouraged him to record another solo album. It
4040-605: The UK the following year, the three began making music together. Starting out with borrowed acoustic guitars, they developed a style that incorporated three-part vocal harmony with the style of contemporary folk-rock acts such as Crosby, Stills, & Nash . Eventually, the trio dubbed itself America, inspired by the Americana jukebox in their local mess hall, and chose it because they did not want anyone to think they were British musicians trying to sound American. They played their first gigs in
4141-408: The US), penned by Texas folk singer Willis Alan Ramsey . A Captain & Tennille cover of the song reached the top 10 in late 1976. After the disappointing commercial performance of Hat Trick , America chose to enlist an outside producer for their next album. They were able to secure the services of producer George Martin and recording engineer Geoff Emerick , who played a major role in shaping
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4242-480: The United States, although Beckley's "Survival" scored the top of the charts in Italy. The album's sales peaked at number 142. America's next album, View from the Ground , released in July 1982, had the group finally score another commercial success. The album, recorded under the working title Two Car Garage , featured a number of songs produced by the duo themselves. As with Alibi (1980), Beckley and Bunnell brought in
4343-477: The Wolf King of L.A. , in 1970. The album was not commercially successful, although it did include the minor hit "Mississippi", and Phillips began to withdraw from the limelight as his use of narcotics increased. He teamed up with Adler again to produce Robert Altman 's 1970 film Brewster McCloud and also wrote the songs for the film. Phillips produced his third wife Geneviève Waïte 's album Romance Is on
4444-464: The Word , on Home Sweet Home Records . Once again produced by Chris Christian, the album's title track featured Beckley on backing vocals. Peek issued two more solo albums over the next few years: Electro Voice (1986) and Crossover (1987). Meanwhile, America opted for a decidedly different style from their previous offerings for their 12th studio album, Perspective , released in September 1984. Ballard
4545-564: The age of 65, days after completing recording sessions for a new album. He is interred at Forest Lawn Cemetery in Cathedral City , near Palm Springs where later his third wife Geneviève Waïte was buried as well. Phillips married Susan Adams of a wealthy Virginia family on May 7, 1957. They had a son, Jeffrey, and a daughter, Mackenzie . While touring California with The Journeymen , Phillips met teenager Holly Michelle Gilliam , with whom he had an extramarital affair. The affair caused
4646-400: The album featured an eclectic group of songs. Despite garnering generally positive reviews, the album was a commercial failure. During 1995, Beckley delivered his debut solo album. Entitled Van Go Gan , the album experimented with various styles and sounds. Comedian Phil Hartman (who during his career as a graphic artist had designed several America album covers) was featured as the voice of
4747-456: The album in a similar manner to The Beatles ' Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band , Samwell convinced them to perfect their acoustic style, instead. The debut album, America , was released in late December 1971 to only moderate success, although it sold well in the Netherlands, where Dexter had taken them as a training ground to practice their craft. Samwell and Dexter subsequently brought
4848-526: The album received positive reviews for its imaginative blending of elements of classic America tunes into familiar holiday standards. Included were three new tracks, including a Bunnell-penned ode to Ventura Highway called Christmas in California , featuring Beckley on lead vocals. One month later, America released a live album, The Grand Cayman Concert . Recorded the previous April in the Cayman Islands ,
4949-533: The album's first single, was culled from hired songwriters and failed to make the Hot 100. The next single, "Can't Fall Asleep to a Lullaby", was co-written by Bunnell, Journey 's Steve Perry , Robert Haimer, and Bill Mumy , the latter of Lost in Space and Babylon 5 fame. Although neither track was played on popular radio, both did achieve minor success on the adult contemporary charts. The album peaked at number 185 during
5050-549: The album's two singles, " Today's the Day " and " Amber Cascades ", managed to reach Nos. 23 and 75, respectively, on the Billboard pop chart. The two singles hit number one and 17, respectively, on the Billboard adult contemporary chart. Songs such as "Jet Boy Blue" and "Don't Let It Get You Down" were programmed on FM stations. Martin's implementation of more complex instrumentation on America's albums proved somewhat overwhelming to
5151-411: The band on stage, often compelling them to switch from instrument to instrument during songs. For their 1976 tour, the group expanded their stage line-up to include Jim Calire on keyboards and sax and Tom Walsh on percussion, so they could more comfortably perform Martin's arrangements. Martin and the trio went to Hawaii during late 1976 to work on the group's seventh studio album, which was recorded in
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#17329059515715252-630: The charts in August 1983. "The Border" was much more successful on the adult contemporary charts, where it scored number four (even bettering "You Can Do Magic"). It also made number 24 on the Dutch top 40. A second single, Ballard's "Cast the Spirit", failed to chart. The album itself, released in June 1983, was reasonably successful at number 81, but something of a disappointment, when compared to its predecessor. America's work
5353-425: The charts, leading Bunnell sarcastically to dub the album Silent Record . During the latter part of 1979, Calire and Walsh were dropped from the on-stage line-up. Session bassist Bryan Garofalo replaced Dickey in 1980 and Bradley Palmer took over from Garafalo in 1981. America continued to evolve as the 1980s began. For their next album, Alibi , released in August 1980, Beckley and Bunnell sought fresh personnel in
5454-424: The concert featured just Beckley and Bunnell on acoustic guitars, a throwback to the earliest days of their career. Included were their most familiar songs along with a few that were almost never performed live, such as Wind Wave and Pigeon Song . Both albums failed to chart. After this, the band ceased recording and concentrated on their consistently lucrative touring schedule. In early 2003, Bradley Palmer left
5555-802: The dissolution of his marriage to Adams; subsequently he married Gilliam on December 31, 1962, and she thereafter became Michelle Phillips. The couple had one child together, Chynna Phillips , vocalist of the 1990s pop trio Wilson Phillips . Denny Doherty and Michelle started an affair in 1965. Phillips and Michelle divorced in May 1969. Phillips married his third wife, actress and model Geneviève Waïte , on January 30, 1972. The couple had two children, Tamerlane and Bijou Phillips . Phillips and Waïte divorced in 1985. Phillips married his fourth wife, painter and artist Farnaz Arasteh, on February 3, 1995. In September 2009, eight years after Phillips's death, his eldest daughter Mackenzie alleged that she and her father had
5656-504: The film's trailer, America's "California Dreamin ' " was also cited in the movie's poster), and despite its lowly chart peak, America's "California Dreamin ' " remake was more successful than any of their first five Capitol single releases, none of which ranked in the Hot 100 (the band's sixth Capitol single release, " You Can Do Magic " in 1982 afforded the band a sole latter-day top ten hit). "California Dreamin ' " continued to be featured in America's live gigs eventually being established as
5757-457: The final months of 1977 for release in the summer of 1978 although the movie was held back from wide release until March 16, 1979 with America recording the song "California Dreamin ' " in the autumn of 1978: Beckley and Bunnell agreed to record the song after being (at least partially) shown the movie – (Gerry Beckley quote:) "We liked what we saw" – and the track was recorded at Studio 55 (Hollywood): (Gerry Beckley quote:) "We did it more as
5858-598: The first in its nearly 50-year history to reach the top spot on a Billboard chart. John Phillips (musician) John Edmund Andrew Phillips (August 30, 1935 – March 18, 2001) was an American musician. He was the leader of the vocal group the Mamas & the Papas and remains frequently referred to as Papa John Phillips . In addition to writing the majority of the group's compositions, he also wrote " San Francisco (Be Sure to Wear Flowers in Your Hair) " in 1967 for former Journeymen bandmate Scott McKenzie , as well as
5959-718: The first single from Holiday , the Bunnell-penned " Tin Man ", which reached number four, featuring cryptic lyrics set to a Wizard of Oz theme. " Lonely People " (written by Peek ) followed Tin Man into the top 10 in early 1975, becoming Dan Peek's only credited song to reach that high on Billboard, peaking at number five. Martin worked with the trio again for their next LP, Hearts , recorded in Sausalito, California , and released in March 1975. America scored its second chart-topping success with Beckley's " Sister Golden Hair " in mid-1975,
6060-508: The form of producers Matthew McCauley and Fred Mollin . They also employed players from the West Coast, such as the Eagles ' Timothy B. Schmit , Leland Sklar and Steve Lukather , to help improve their sound. Alibi eschewed the strings and brass of a typical George Martin project in favour of a more popular-rock style. It also became the third studio album in a row without a successful single in
6161-430: The group's career. Included were a handful of alternative mixes and demos such as an early take of a stripped-down Ventura Highway . A year later, in August 2001, Rhino released a trimmed-down single disc compilation, The Complete Greatest Hits , which assembled all of the group's 17 charting Billboard singles. The disc also included two newly recorded songs, World of Light and Paradise . Peaking at number 152 on
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#17329059515716262-416: The group's new style with a cover of The Mamas & the Papas ' " California Dreamin' " in March 1979. It was featured on the soundtrack for the 1979 movie California Dreaming . Although the movie was unsuccessful and the soundtrack was issued by an obscure distributor known as American International, the single reached number 56 on the charts. America's first studio album without Peek, Silent Letter ,
6363-541: The head of Dunhill Records , by Barry McGuire . In thanks to Adler, they sang the backing vocals to "California Dreamin ' ", with members of the session band The Wrecking Crew , on McGuire's album This Precious Time . Adler, impressed with the Mamas and the Papas, then had the lead vocal track re-recorded with Denny Doherty singing, but paired with the same instrumental and backing vocal tracks, and an alto flute solo by Bud Shank , reportedly improvised. The guitar introduction
6464-611: The key of C-sharp minor . "California Dreamin ' " became a signpost of the California sound , heralding the arrival of the nascent counterculture era. It was certified three-times platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America in June 2023 and was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 2001. In 2021, Rolling Stone placed the song at number 420 in its " 500 Greatest Songs of All Time " list. The song
6565-472: The most part, Beckley and Bunnell were singers on an album that Ballard had crafted for them, although they did contribute some of their own material. On one track, Bunnell decided to rewrite Ballard's lyrics, and the successful song " The Border " was the result. Set to the backing of the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra and the saxophone work of Raphael Ravenscroft , the single scored number 33 on
6666-550: The name Beckley-Lamm-Wilson. Dan Peek resurfaced in 1999 with a new website and his first solo release in many years, Bodden Town . As part of a contemporary trend of recycling oldies recordings to create new hits, Janet Jackson 's 2001 single " Someone to Call My Lover " sampled the Ventura Highway guitar riff and rose to number three on the Billboard pop charts . In October 2002 the group released its first Christmas album , Holiday Harmony . Produced by Andrew Gold ,
6767-512: The name of Beckley's home recording studio, was accompanied by a modest commercial blitz. The first single, Beckley's From a Moving Train , featured a strongly acoustic style. The track received considerable airplay and moderate success in adult contemporary formats. Reports claimed that the song was a major success in the popular charts in Spain. A second attempt at a single in Wednesday Morning
6868-530: The oft-covered " Me and My Uncle ", which was a favorite in the repertoire of the Grateful Dead . Phillips was one of the chief organizers of the 1967 Monterey Pop Festival . Phillips was born August 30, 1935, in Parris Island, South Carolina . His father, Claude Andrew Phillips, was a retired United States Marine Corps officer. On his way home from France following World War I, Claude Phillips managed to win
6969-711: The opening track of Feliciano's 1968 hit album Feliciano! (gold status in 1968), and was heard in a key sequence in Quentin Tarantino's 2019 film Once Upon a Time in Hollywood and is included on its soundtrack . Credits sourced from album liner notes. A tropical house version by German DJ/remixer Freischwimmer was released in 2015. This version reached number one on the Billboard Dance Club Songs chart in its February 13, 2016, issue. "Dreamin" had never before hit No. 1 on any ranking, making this version
7070-441: The performance featured a backing orchestra conducted by Elmer Bernstein . The concert was recorded shortly after Peek left the group. The album was only mildly successful on the popular charts; whereas all of their previous albums, even Harbor , had at least made the top 30, Live just barely made it onto the album chart, peaking at No. 129. After more than two years without new studio material, Beckley and Bunnell presented
7171-554: The place," citing "inspections," and "beatings," and recalls that "nuns even watched us take showers". He formed a musical group of teenage boys, who sang doo-wop songs. He played basketball at George Washington High School , now George Washington Middle School in Alexandria, Virginia, where he graduated in 1953, and gained an appointment to the United States Naval Academy . However, he resigned during his first (plebe) year. Phillips then attended Hampden–Sydney College ,
7272-441: The pop charts and scored as high as number eight on the Billboard pop-singles chart for a number of weeks during October 1982, the band's first major success in seven years. Following "Magic" was the single " Right Before Your Eyes ". Written by Ian Thomas (brother of comedian Dave Thomas of Strange Brew fame), and produced by Bobby Colomby , the single barely missed a spot in the top 40 during early 1983. Although View from
7373-554: The rounds in the media in an anti-drug campaign, helping to reduce his prison time to a month in jail, of which he spent three weeks (one week off for good behavior) at Allenwood Prison Camp, in Allenwood, Pennsylvania . Upon his release, he re-formed the Mamas and the Papas with Mackenzie Phillips, Spanky McFarlane (of the group Spanky and Our Gang ) and Denny Doherty . Throughout the rest of his life, Phillips toured with various incarnations of this group. His autobiography, Papa John ,
7474-590: The sexual abuse ended when she became pregnant and did not know who had fathered the child; she said these doubts led her to have an abortion her father paid for. She stated, "I never let him touch me again." Geneviève Waïte, John's wife at the time, denied the allegations, saying they were inconsistent with his character. Michelle Phillips , John's second wife, also stated that she had "every reason to believe [Mackenzie's account is] untrue". Chynna Phillips , Michelle Phillips's daughter, stated that she believed Mackenzie's claims and that Mackenzie first told her about
7575-485: The sexual assault during a phone conversation in 1997, approximately 11 years after the events had ended. Bijou Phillips , Mackenzie's half-sister from her father's marriage to Geneviève Waïte, has stated that Mackenzie informed her of the sexual abuse when Bijou was 13 years old, and the information had a devastating effect on Bijou's teenage years, stripping her of her innocence and leaving her "wary of [her] father". She also stated, "I'm 29 now, I've talked to everyone who
7676-568: The song peaked at No. 4 in March on both the Billboard Hot 100 , lasting 17 weeks, and Cashbox , lasting 20 weeks. "California Dreamin ' " was the top single on the Billboard end-of-the-year survey for 1966 . As well, it tied for #1 on the Cashbox end-of-the-year survey with SSgt. Barry Sadler 's " Ballad of the Green Berets ". "California Dreamin ' " reached number 23 on the UK charts upon its original release, and re-charted after its use in
7777-466: The sound of the Beatles . Sessions took place at AIR Studios in London. The resulting album, Holiday , was released in June 1974 (by this time the group had consciously begun naming their albums with titles starting with the letter H ). With Martin's guidance, the album's style was very different from America's first three efforts, as he enhanced America's acoustic sound with strings and brass. During
7878-424: The spring of 1979, America were involved in sessions for their Capitol Records debut album Silent Letter and were either unable or uninterested in promoting their version of "California Dreamin ' " which single proved unable to buoy its parent film's faltering box office take. However the publicity inherent in the film's release was evidently enough to afford minor hit status to America's soundtrack item (heard in
7979-684: The spring of 1979, the band America reached No. 56 on the Billboard Hot 100 with their remake of "California Dreamin ' " which was the first studio recording by America as the duo of Gerry Beckley and Dewey Bunnell without third founding member Dan Peek , who had departed the group in 1977. Bunnell – who sang lead – and Beckley – who sang background – self-produced the track which featured America's touring musicians: David Dickey, drummer Willie Leacox, guitarist Michael Woods, percussionist Tom Walsh, and Jim Calire who played keyboards and also saxophone. America performed "California Dreamin ' " at least once in concert in 1974, "California Dreamin ' " being
8080-455: The summer/fall of 1974, bassist Calvin "Fuzzy" Samuels (formerly of Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young and Manassas ) was called to fill in for Dickey, who had come to Europe but then flown home inadvertently. Samuels played some shows and also appeared live with the group on the German TV program Musikladen on November 13, 1974. The trio soon found themselves in the top 10 once again with
8181-516: The touring band after 22 years and was replaced, first by Chas Frichtell, then by Trent Stroh, until Richard Campbell (formerly toured with Three Dog Night , Natalie Cole and Dave Mason ) came in permanently. Record labels occasionally offered new DVDs, such as a re-release of America's 1979 concert film, Live in Central Park , a 2004 concert at the Sydney Opera House and a 2005 show at
8282-590: The tracks of the Half Stoned or The Lost Album album were released as Pay Pack & Follow a few months after Phillips's death. In 1975 Phillips, still living in London, was commissioned to create the soundtrack to the Nicolas Roeg film The Man Who Fell to Earth , starring David Bowie . Phillips asked Mick Taylor to help out; the film was released in 1976. In 1981, Phillips was convicted of drug trafficking . Subsequently, he and his daughter Mackenzie made
8383-411: The transatlantic hits " A Horse with No Name " and " I Need You ". Their second album, Homecoming (1972), included the single " Ventura Highway ". Over the next several years, the band continued to release hit songs, including " Muskrat Love " on Hat Trick (1973), "Tin Man" and " Lonely People " on Holiday (1974) and " Sister Golden Hair " and " Daisy Jane " on their 1975 record Hearts . It
8484-489: The trio played a series of North American club and college dates in early 1972, and decided to dismiss Samwell and Dexter and relocate to Los Angeles, California, signing with the David Geffen / Elliot Roberts stable at Lookout Management. By 1973, the band had left Lookout to go with John Hartmann and Harlan Goodman after the latter two had broken away from Geffen/Roberts to set up their own management firm. The recording of
8585-560: The trio to Morgan Studios to record several additional songs. One of them was a Bunnell composition called "Desert Song", which Dexter previously demonstrated during studio rehearsals in Puddletown , Dorset, at the home of Arthur Brown . The song had its public debut at the Harrogate Festival, four days later, to great audience response. After several performances and a TV show, it was retitled " A Horse with No Name ". The song became
8686-499: Was able to offer four new tracks as part of a collection issued by Rhino Records called Encore: More Greatest Hits , which was designed to complement the group's original 1975 retrospective. America's resurgence caught the eye of Chip Davis of American Gramaphone Records, who signed the group to his label. In May 1994, America released its first new studio album in a decade, Hourglass . Produced primarily by Beckley and Bunnell, with help from Hank Linderman and Steve Levine ,
8787-579: Was also featured on several soundtracks during this period. Beckley and Bunnell provided vocals to several Jimmy Webb compositions for the film The Last Unicorn in 1982. The soundtrack became popular in Germany and the group frequently plays its title track when touring in that country. America also recorded "Love Comes Without Warning" for the 1984 Steve Martin comedy The Lonely Guy . Dan Peek emerged from several years of musical obscurity during May 1984, releasing his second solo Christian album, Doer of
8888-400: Was also in 1975 when America released History: America's Greatest Hits , a compilation of hit singles, which was certified multi-platinum in the United States and Australia. Peek left the group in 1977 and their commercial fortunes declined, though they returned to the top 10 in 1982 with the single " You Can Do Magic ". The band's final Top 40 hit was " The Border ", which reached no. 33 on
8989-433: Was around during that time, I've asked the hard questions. I do not believe my sister. Our father [was] many things. This is not one of them." Jessica Woods, daughter of Denny Doherty , said that her father had told her that he knew "the awful truth" and that he was "horrified at what John had done". In 1996, a Golden Palm Star on the Palm Springs, California , Walk of Stars was dedicated to Phillips. The Mamas and
9090-407: Was fired briefly in 1966 for having affairs with Gene Clark and Doherty. She was replaced for two months by Jill Gibson , their producer Lou Adler's girlfriend. Although Phillips was forgiven and asked to return to the group, the personal problems continued until the group split. Elliot went on to have a successful solo career until her death in 1974. Phillips released his first solo album, John,
9191-449: Was out and synthesizers and drum machines were in. Several different producers, including Richie Zito , Matthew McCauley (who had already produced the aforementioned track "Love Comes Without Warning" that appeared earlier that year in the film The Lonely Guy ) and Richard James Burgess , helped create an electronic popular style that was very common during the 1980s but drastically different from America's usual style. " Special Girl ",
9292-508: Was performed by P. F. Sloan . McGuire's original vocal can be briefly heard on the left channel at the beginning of the record, having not been completely erased. The single was released in late 1965 but was not an immediate breakthrough. After gaining little attention in Los Angeles, a radio station in Boston was the catalyst to break the song nationwide. After making its chart debut in January 1966,
9393-626: Was produced by Terry Melcher and featured Roger McGuinn of the Byrds on 12-string guitar . This version of the song was referenced in the lyrics of the Dead Milkmen 's 1988 novelty hit " Punk Rock Girl ". Although the song only charted at a modest number 57 on the Billboard Hot 100 , it reached number 8 on the Billboard Adult Contemporary chart and it was supported by a music video that saw heavy rotation on MTV. The video featured
9494-497: Was published in 1986. With Terry Melcher , Mike Love , and former Journeymen colleague Scott McKenzie , he co-wrote the number-one single " Kokomo " for the Beach Boys . The song was used in the 1988 film Cocktail and was nominated for a Grammy Award (Best Song Written specifically for a Motion Picture or Television) and a Golden Globe Award for Best Song. His years of drug addiction resulted in health problems that required
9595-533: Was recorded at Trident Studios in London and produced by Samwell and Dexter, who became the trio's manager. Dexter also gave the band their first major gig, 20 December 1970, at Implosion at the Roundhouse, Chalk Farm, as the opening act for The Who , Elton John , Patto , and the Chalk Farm Salvation Army Band and Choir, for a Christmas charity event. Although the trio initially planned to record
9696-604: Was released in June 1979 on their new label, Capitol Records . The album, once again produced by George Martin, was recorded in Montserrat in the West Indies with the members of the live band: David Dickey, Willie Leacox, Michael Woods (their former roadie, who joined their touring band in late 1977 on lead guitar), Jim Calire and Tom Walsh. The group began to use songs from other songwriters as they sought to increase their commercial success. The album scored no higher than number 110 on
9797-429: Was somewhat less successful. The album failed to garner the sales that Oxygen was expecting and America was once again without a record deal. The next few years had the group's catalogue expand with a number of side projects, reissues of older albums on CD, and several major retrospective releases. In July 2000 Rhino released Highway: 30 Years of America , a three-CD box set which included 64 remastered tracks spanning
9898-472: Was successful and Peek became a pioneering artist in the emerging Christian popular music genre. The title track entered the Billboard pop charts in early 1979, peaking at No. 78. Meanwhile, Beckley and Bunnell decided to continue as America, ending their contract with Warner Bros. with the release of their first concert LP, Live , during October 1977. Recorded at the Greek Theater in Los Angeles,
9999-512: Was the case, saying that the decision to leave had been Peek's, after he recently had renewed his Christian faith following years of recreational drug use and had begun to seek a different artistic direction from Beckley or Bunnell. Nevertheless, Peek goes on to say in his book that he takes full blame for the group's fracturing. Peek contracted with Pat Boone 's Lamb & Lion Records and issued his first solo album, All Things Are Possible , in 1978. The album, produced by Chris Christian ,
10100-406: Was to be released on Rolling Stones Records and funded by RSR distributor Atlantic Records . Jagger and Keith Richards produced and played on the album, as well as former Stone Mick Taylor and future Stone Ronnie Wood . The project was derailed by Phillips's increasing use of cocaine and heroin, which he injected, by his own admission, "almost every fifteen minutes for two years". In 2001,
10201-602: Was written in 1963 while John Phillips and Michelle Phillips were living in New York City during a particularly cold winter, and the latter was missing sunny California. John would work on compositions late at night and brought Michelle the first verse one morning. At the time, John and Michelle Phillips were members of the folk group the New Journeymen, which evolved into the Mamas and the Papas . They earned their first record contract after being introduced to Lou Adler ,
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