Co-founder of the band America dies

Dan Peek, one of the founders of the Grammy-winning band America, has died according to a posting on Peek's web site.

Visitors to DanPeek.com are greeted with the words "Dan went to Heaven on July 24 2011" and a video of Peek performing "Lonely People."

On the band's site, America members Dewey Bunnell and Gerry Beckley expressed their sympathies.

"We were deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Dan Peek yesterday," a statement said." Our thoughts and prayers are with the Peek family."

Bunnell told Billboard that Peek, 60, was "semi-retired." He reportedly lived with his wife Catherine in the Cayman Islands.

According to Billboard, America had three platinum and gold albums as well as eight Top 40 hits between 1971-75. Peek launched a solo career in 1979 with the Christian contemporary hit, "All Things Are Possible" after becoming a born-again Christian and leaving the band.

Bandmate Bunnell payed tribute to Peek on the America site.

"We created lasting music together and experienced a life that we could never have imagined," Bunnell wrote. "Dan was an equal and integral part of that early history, and I have never forgotten the good times we spent making that music and learning about life together. "

Bunnell and Beckley have continued the group.

Lonley People
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