Gerald Linford "Gerry" Beckley, a multifaceted artist, was born on September 12, 1952, in Forth Worth, Texas, to an American father and an English mother.
From a tender age of three, Beckley began his musical journey by playing the piano, and a few years later, he started playing the guitar. In 1962, he was a guitarist in the instrumental surf-rock band the Vanguards in Virginia.
In 1967, Beckley's father became the commander at the U.S. Air Force Base at West Ruislip near London, England, and Gerry attended London Central High School in Hertfordshire, where he played in various school bands and met fellow musicians Dan Peek and Dewey Bunnell.
The trio formed the folk-rock group America in the late 1960s, and in 1971, the band released their self-titled debut album. America has since recorded over twenty albums and enjoyed a steady succession of hit songs throughout the 1970s and 1980s, including "A Horse With No Name," "Sister Golden Hair" (which Beckley wrote),"Ventura Highway," "Tin Man," and "You Can Do Magic."
In addition to his work with America, Beckley has also recorded solo albums, such as "Van Go Gan," "Go Man Go," and "Happy Hour." He has collaborated with numerous notable musicians, including Brian Wilson and Carl Wilson of The Beach Boys, Robert Lamm of Chicago, acclaimed singer/songwriter Jimmy Webb, Dave Mason, Rick Danko, and Dan Fogelberg.
Beckley is married and has two sons, Joe Beckley and Matt Beckley. He continues to perform worldwide with Dewey Bunnell as a member of America.
