Sunday January 3, 2021 “Sister Golden Hair” America
I was talking with my grandson Spencer, a budding guitarist the other day about the group America, such a fine band (trio), but often pigeonholed by their two really big hits “A Horse with No Name” and “Ventura Highway”. But they had so many additional maybe minor hits, all lovely songs.
When America was starting out, like many other groups, they competed in a ‘battle of the bands’ and they were runners-up to a then unknown group who won the battle, Genesis. The band name America was arrived at when they had seen the success that then a new band, Chicago, had achieved and they figured if a band named after a city could do so well, imagine how well a band named after a country could do.
A number of America’s later albums/songs including today’s tune were produced by George Martin, who produced all of the Beatles albums. “Sister Golden Hair'' would be George Martin’s first non Beatle number one song, he had twenty up to this point. In total America have recorded twenty seven albums, forty seven singles and had five number one songs and they remain a quiet force in the world of acoustic superstars.
A side note, acclaimed songwriter Jimmy Webb (“Rhinestone Cowboy”, “Wichita Lineman” and so many others) is godfather to main America singer/songwriter Gerry Beckley’s first son Matthew, also a musician who tours with acts like Katy Perry, Ke$ha and Britney Spears..
Stay safe and well...and enjoy this live version from America, then a duo.