A+ A A-

237. America

Rate this item
(0 votes)

Many a Rock band had an ironic name or they just simply took the name of the geographic place they were from. In the case of the band America, neither was true. They were basically a British Folk Rock band who chose a name that paid homage to their American parents.

 

Maybe it was because they were devoid of that sarcastic irony that a lot of bands have led to America being disrespected. Maybe it was because their first big hit sounded so much like Neil Young that were branded as unoriginal. The many fans that refused those negative labels found a Folk Rock group with rich harmonies and producers of some solid Soft Rock (is that an oxymoron?) music that generated them a large fan base. As the critics didn’t pander over them either, we have a hard time seeing America in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, but with a series of songs that have held up reasonably well, they may eventually get the respect that they haven’t quite gotten as of yet.

 

 

 

 

The Bullet Points:

 

Eligible Since:

1996

 

Country of Origin:

United Kingdom (London, England)

 

Nominated In:

Never

 

Why They Will Get In:

Their hits have aged very well.

 

Why They Won’t Get In:

The critics were not fans of them.

 

Essential Albums:

America (1971)

Homecoming (1972)

Hearts (1975)

View from the Ground (1982)

 

Our Five Favorite Songs as Chosen by Each Member of the NIHOF Committee:

A Horse with No Name (From America, 1971)

Ventura Highway (From Homecoming, 1972)

Don’t Cross the River (From Homecoming, 1972)

Sister Golden Hair (From Hearts, 1975)

You Can Do Magic (From View from the Ground, 1982)

 

www.venturahighway.com

Should America be in the Hall of Fame?

(You must be registered and logged in to vote!)
Definitely put them in! - 14.3%
Maybe, but others deserve it first. - 71.4%
Probably not, but it wouldn't be the end of the world. - 0%
No opinion. - 0%
No way! - 14.3%
Last modified on Saturday, 16 March 2013 21:16

Comments   

 
+1 #1 Musicologist999 -0001-11-29 19:00
Their hit songs have held up very well indeed---" A Horse With No Name" still gives me the tingles, and "Ventura Highway" is another home run, amongst many others. They sing great, they play great, and they are a pleasure to listen to. Soft Rock they may be, but America's music is brilliant Soft Rock. Don't know if they'll ever make it into the Hall Of Fame, but I'd be happy if they do.
Quote
 
 
0 #2 Pete 2013-01-20 01:57
They were not British, went to Armed Service
High School, parents were in the US Armed Service.
Quote
 
 
0 #3 P Smith 2013-01-29 13:51
How lame does a band have to be to turn album names into a running gag? Most of America's records start with the letter "H" (e.g. "History", their not-so-greatest hits). At least when Greg Kihn made jokes out of album names, it was funny.

If any of the soft-rock bands of the early 1970s deserves notice, it's David Gates and Bread. They had much better songs and actually had some meat in their performances despite their "accessible" sound.
Quote
 

Add comment


Security code
Refresh

Login

Click an icon to login instantly with your social account. (If you are logged into Facebook, clicking the Facebook icon will log you in to Not in Hall of Fame instantly.)

Search

  • Everclear
    With a handful of hits and constant comparisons to Nirvana, it will be interesting to see if Everclear receives any kind of consideration to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Our guess is that they won’t, as this was primarily a solid band that was able to gain a level of success and captured Grunge era angst as well…
    Add new comment

red gold blue

© 2009-2012 Kirk Buchner & David Johnson