The Luhrs Performing Art Center 2022-23 season has been hit after hit. On Thursday, Jan. 12, the hits kept coming when the beloved British-American rock band, America, took the stage to play some of their familiar favorites.

The band consists of original members Gerry Beckley and Dewey Bunnell, as well as new band- mates Ryland Steen (drummer), Rich Campbell (bass guitarist) and Steve Fekete (backup vocals), who sang through the vast history of the band’s discography.

The band opened the night with a performance of the 1974 soft rock tune “Tin Man.” Some of the other standout performances of the night included “Ventura Highway,” “Driving,” “Cornwall Blank/Hollywood” and even a cover of the Beatles’ song “Nowhere Man.” During their hour-and-a-half set, the band also covered “You Can Do Magic” by Russ Ballard and “California Dreamin” by The Mamas & The Papas. Naturally, the night concluded with their most recognizable song, “Sister Golden Hair.” It should also be noted that this stellar performance was the band’s first concert of the new year.

America was founded in 1970 in London by the aforementioned Beckley and Bunnell, as well as Dan Peek. They released their first album titled “America” in 1971, which included tracks such as “A Horse with No Name” and “Sandman.” Their follow-up album “Homecoming” in 1972 would also be the debut of some of their most popular songs and was the album that pushed the group into stardom. With 18 albums, the band has stuck together for over 50 years and hasn’t missed a beat. Unfortunately, founding member Dan Peek passed away at 60 on July 24, 2011.

If you could not catch America while they were bringing down the roof at the Luhrs Center, the band will be making their next stops in Florida with two back-to-back performances in Sarasota and Jacksonville on Jan. 19 and 20. The next show to take the stage at Luhrs will be The Doo Wop Project on Thursday, Feb. 2, at 7:30 p.m. For more information and the rest of the Luhrs Center’s schedule, visit luhrscenter. com/events.

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