Harrah's, Las Vegas Concert

February 14-15, 1998

AMERICA headlined at Harrah's in Las Vegas Nevada on Friday & Saturday nite Feb. 14th & 15th. Both shows were smashing successes with sell-outs both days. Each nite, many people were turned away & the enthusiastic Valentine's crowds showed their approval with standing ovations. The management of Harrah's was extremely pleased, especially in light of all the other competitive activity going on around the strip.

The setting was quite splendid. The decor of the venue's seating was mainly a rich velour black with a stage backdrop of black with lights to emulate the stars on a summer nite. AMERICA really looked classy on stage & the shows were magnificent enough to bring out the local TV people for interviews. The management of Harrah's did a class A job in promotion. They had flyers in every room, articles on AMERICA in the local entertainment magazines & a huge marquee on the main strip w/GERRY & DEWEY'S foto. Some fotos from the show are displayed below, as well as a foto of AMERICA'S guitar at the HardRock Cafe in Las Vegas. There were also large laminated displays announcing the show w/GERRY & DEWEY'S picture - throughout the casino & hotel. As a matter of fact, I should mention that some person or person's absconded with the laminated posters, however I heard that security has the person on tape & a warrant will be issued for their arrest. Why of all the nerve! If J. Edgar Hoover were still around he'd have them under arrest.

AMERICA soothed & comforted the crowd w/THREE ROSES, LAST UNICORN, TO EACH HIS OWN, TIN MAN, RIVERSIDE,& DAISY JANE among others. Then they rocked the house with GREEN MONKEY, NEVER BE LONELY & SANDMAN & everyone was on their feet screaming for more. The crowd volume really shook the house & Harrah's management. You know AMERICA'S songs get better w/age. I always say that good songs take me to a different place in time & the best one's, such as AMERICA'S, make me find my own home. Well I just got home, but I am not really home, yet. AMERICA'S music is real. Lord I have been saved again. By the way saw Kelly there & Dave from South Carolina. I think they may be able to expound on this journey w/AMERICA. New CD, the world awaits you.

Click on the photos below to see a larger version. A few of the fotos w/AMERICA were done during the sound check, so their clothes are more casual.

Independence Day

by Penny Levin

from February 15, 1998 SHOWBIZ

America Makes Fireworks in Vegas

AMERICA, not the count but the popular group that made "A Horse With No Name" and "Ventura Highway" massive hits, takes to the stage at Harrah's, Feb. 15.

The band brings its unique blend of character, craft and songs to Harrah's for this very special concert.

It is also special that two of the group's members, Gerry Beckley and Dewey Bunnell, have been friends for more than 27 years, and met when they were in London.

Beckly, Bunnell, and Dan Peek met at Central high school in London. They were sons of America servicemen and were in various dance-type school bands, including a group called Daze.

When the boys graduated in 1969, they briefly went their separate ways. Beckley worked in a warehouse, while considering a career in art of architecture.

Bunnell tried acting school, and Peek went to college. As fate would have it, the three high school pals found themselves reunited when they were in a snack bar outside London. It was there where they decided to pursue their musical interests.

Beckley and Bunnell's youthful talents already had drawn much attention. At 16, Beckley wrote "I Need You," and at 18 Bunnell wrote a song about the environment that became their trademark, "A Horse With No Name."

Speaking of names, the band's name reportedly developed from several sources, including the name on a jukebox. The name was "Americana," and at the time the boys were in London and feeling somewhat homesick for the good old United States -- hence America.

Their first LP, via Warner, was not overly successful, but the group added one more cut -- "A Horse With No Name" -- and produced one of the most stunning, popular and dynamic recordings, the legendary America album in 1971. The group's impressive musical abilities brought it worldwide acclaim and attention.

America was honored in 1972 with a Grammy Award for the Best New Artist, partly due to the hit "Ventura Highway."

In 1973, America released another masterpiece "Hat Trick," which, according to the band, took an enormous effort to produce. At this point the men decided to hire a producer. That man was George Martin, the man who produced the Beatles.

Some of America's finest work came in the 80s, even though there was more of a creative burden created after Peek's departure.

Now in 1998, the group has more than 160 songs and 20 albums to its credit. America is working on a new release. The group is also slated to perform about 150 live performances worldwide. The group tours throughout the U. S., as well as in Europe, South America, Australia and Asia.

America just seems to be picking up steam, so there has never been a better time to cheer for the red, white and blue.

Take it as your civil duty to check out America at Harrah's before that patriotic spirit splits.