Dan Peek, Founding Member Of America, Dead At 60

7/27/2011 3:17 PM ET

(RTTNews) - Dan Peek, who had a hand in founding the seminal folk group America, passed away this past Sunday at the age of 60, according to Billboard. Peek's cause of death remains unknown at this time.

"I am so sorry to learn of Dan's passing," former bandmate Dewey Bunnell stated on his website. "Dan, along with Gerry [Beckley] and myself, formed the band America as teenagers after being great friends in high school during the late '60s. It was a joyous time for the three of us, full of excitement and laughter. We created lasting music together and experienced a life that we could never have imagined. 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."
Along with America, Peek scored eight Top 40 hits in the early part of the 1970's, including "Horse With No Name."
Peek's website simply stated "Dan went to Heaven on July 24." He is survived by his wife Catherine.