1950 Dan Peek, American rock vocalist and guitarist (America), born in Panama City, Florida (d. 2011)
Known for singing the high harmonies, Dan Peek contributed lead and
backing vocals,
guitars,
bass,
keyboards, and
harmonica to their
recordings during his tenure in the band.
[8] As a member of America, Peek wrote or co-wrote four Top 100 singles: "
Don't Cross the River" (No. 35), "
Lonely People" (No. 5), "Woman Tonight" (No. 44), and "
Today's the Day" (No. 23), all of which he also sang lead on.
When Peek was a young boy, he suffered from rheumatoid arthritis and had to be hospitalized for weeks 100 miles (160 km) away from the family home; his parents could only visit occasionally. Peek remembered this experience when, about a year before he died, he decided to dispose of five of his vintage guitars. Because the
Ronald McDonald Houses exist to provide housing for families of hospitalized children close to hospitals around the United States and the world, Peek donated these five guitars to the San Diego house, which were subsequently sold to a collector, resulting in a $50,000
donation.