Former America drummer Willie Leacox dies aged 74

[goreds2]

America, best known for hits A Horse With No Name and I Need You, was formed in London in 1970 by Dewey Bunnell, Dan Peek, and Gerry Beckley. The trio achieved significant popularity in the 1970s releasing a string of hit albums and singles, many of which found airplay on pop/soft rock stations.

The family notice reported that Leacox would be “missed by his brother, Jim Leacox, and sister, Janie Casteel, their spouses, his nieces and nephews, his California friends, plus his many friends and fans around the world.” Noting his passion for music, the noticed added that “Wil would want to ensure that students receive the same inspiration and opportunities he received throughout his long and successful musical career,” suggesting that fans could send a memorial contribution to the family’s music education scholarship.

https://www.euroweeklynews.com/2022/...e-leacox-dies/

[westofyou]

My first concert, America at Pine Knob the day after Mama Cass died in 1974

[RichRed]

My first concert, America at Pine Knob the day after Mama Cass died in 1974

I saw America at an outdoor Va. Beach oceanfront concert in the ‘90s with my mom…is one of the uncoolest things I’ve ever posted.

[westofyou]

I saw America at an outdoor Va. Beach oceanfront concert in the ‘90s with my mom…is one of the uncoolest things I’ve ever posted.

The heat was hot and the ground was dry
But the air was full of sound

[Roy Tucker]

The heat was hot and the ground was dry
But the air was full of sound

The first few times I heard that song on the radio, I thought it was Neil Young.

[westofyou]

The first few times I heard that song on the radio, I thought it was Neil Young.

Neil's father did too, it really irked him. His father was a famous sportswriter and left their family when Neil was 12 or so, so he never was super close to him and the father was distant... that did not go over well

[BernieCarbo]

The first few times I heard that song on the radio, I thought it was Neil Young.

I played that song for a high school class in Hungary in 1974, and they thought it was cool that they could sing along to the la-la-la part because those were the only English words they knew.

[Sea Ray]

I saw America with my parents about 20 yrs ago at a Cincinnati Pops concert at Music Hall when Erich Kunzel was there. Maybe the best Pops concert I ever saw