Multi-platinum-selling America returns to Maui to play their memorable hits
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Celebrating over five decades of enduring hits, legendary folk-rock band America will bring "The Happy Trails Tour 2026" to Maui Arts & Cultural Center's Castle Theater on Nov. 7.
With their sun-drenched melodies, soaring harmonies and intricate acoustic guitar work, America created a soundtrack for generations. Their catalog includes timeless classics such as "A Horse with No Name," "Ventura Highway," "Tin Man," "Lonely People," "Sister Golden Hair" and "You Can Do Magic."
Now enjoying a resurgence across social media, "A Horse with No Name" has joined Spotify's "Billions Club," surpassing 1 billion streams. Written by America's Dewey Bunnell as an imagined escape inspired by the rainy English countryside, the song became a cultural phenomenon, dethroning Neil Young's "Heart of Gold" atop the Billboard Hot 100 in 1972.
Missing the warmth of the Californian desert, in 1971, an 18-year-old Bunnell composed the song that would make them famous. A year later, "A Horse With No Name" propelled America to the top of the charts, and that success led to their win as best new artist at the Grammy Awards in 1972.
"It's still the gift that keeps giving," Bunnell said about the memorable song. "We've put together a pretty good catalogue of songs over the years, but that first song goes on forever. We did our first tour of the U.S., and it went to No. 1."
America's foundation was initially laid in England in the early 1970s. The sons of U.S. Air Force personnel stationed near London, Gerry Beckley, Dan Peek and Bunnell began playing together in high school. Soon, they had gigs in London, including opening for Pink Floyd and The Who.
"It was a fantastic time to be part of all that," he said. "We opened for Pink Floyd a couple of times, and we got on the bill with all kinds of great acts like Rod Stewart and the Faces. We opened one show for The Who headlining and Elton John."
America's memorable songs caught the attention of legendary Beatles producer Sir George Martin. When the band first began working with him, they couldn't help feeling a little awestruck. Martin had produced every Beatles studio album, from their 1963 debut, "Please Please Me," through "Abbey Road," cementing his place in music history.
"I was in awe of him as we all were because of the Beatles," recalled Bunnell. "We'd come with a batch of songs, and he would be, 'I like that one, or this one sounds like the other one.' He played some piano on things, and when we were in the studio, he'd say, 'Let's go back into the accessories room,' where all the bells and whistles were. We used the bell from 'Yellow Submarine' on one of the songs."
Their first album with Martin, "Holiday," was a major hit, producing the top singles "Tin Man" and "Lonely People."
Beginning as a trio and eventually working as a duo, they recorded seven albums with Martin, including "Harbor," which was recorded on Kauai and featured a Kauai sunset on the cover.
Some years ago Bunnell and Beckley released "Back Pages," their first album of covers, recording several iconic songs, opening with Simon and Garfunkel's "America," and including Joni Mitchell's "Woodstock" and a version of the Beach Boys' classic "Caroline No," which impressed its composer, Brian Wilson.
"It's probably my favorite Beach Boys song," said Bunnell. "Brian heard it, and he said he liked it. I really enjoyed that project."
America's last studio album, "Lost & Found," featured new songs recorded between 2000 and 2011 that showcased their classic sound, with standouts including "Driving" and "One Horse Town."
If there is one song that captures America's sound, Bunnell suggests it's their evocative road song "Ventura Highway."
"I've always said 'Ventura Highway,' especially of the songs that I've written. Everybody would think I'd say 'Horse With No Name.' I think 'Ventura Highway' seems to most encapsulate that feeling of the free wind blowing through your hair and my exuberance and sort of excitement with life and moving to the West Coast. It was a real explosion of being part of this new culture, a new vibe, and 'Ventura Highway' encapsulated that."
America will perform at 7:30 p.m. Nov. 7. Tickets start at $51, available at MauiArts.org.