About The Film

 

Logline

After 53 consecutive years of touring and over 5,000 electrifying performances, the iconic duo of America reflect on their past as they privately say goodbye to a lifetime together on the road.

Short Synopsis

Gerry Beckley and Dewey Bunnell, the founding members of the band America, have spent over five decades touring together, playing nearly 100 shows annually since their iconic hit "A Horse With No Name" skyrocketed them to fame fresh out of high school. During their 53rd straight year on the road, the duo makes the decision to step back from touring together. Without any public announcement, they plan to reveal their decision on stage at the final concert of their tour.

As they prepare to take the stage for what they’ve decided will be their final performance together, this film offers a moving portrait of two lifelong friends and collaborators whose music has endured generations, bringing audiences along for the emotional crescendo of America’s remarkable journey. 

Long Synopsis

Gerry Beckley and Dewey Bunnell, the founding members of the band America, have spent over five decades touring together, playing nearly 100 shows annually since their iconic hit "A Horse With No Name" skyrocketed them to fame fresh out of high school. During their 53rd straight year on the road, the duo makes the decision to step back from touring together. Without any public announcement, they plan to reveal their decision on stage at the final concert of their tour.

The documentary captures Gerry and Dewey's reflections on their legacy and the stories that shaped them as they count down to the final show.

Their story begins as children of U.S. military families, constantly uprooted and reshaped by a transient lifestyle. They first crossed paths at a high school battle of the bands, joined forces with Dan Peek, and created America—a group whose distinctive sound earned them a GRAMMY for Best New Artist after the global success of "A Horse With No Name."

Throughout the 1970s, America became synonymous with timeless hits like "Sister Golden Hair," "Ventura Highway," and "Lonely People." Their musical dreams were brought to life under the guidance of legendary Beatles producer George Martin—a surreal collaboration for two lifelong Beatles fans.

But fame came with challenges. Hollywood’s temptations and shifting dynamics led to Dan Peek's painful departure, a turning point in the band’s history that Gerry and Dewey address openly for the very first time.

Undeterred, they carried on, crafting new music, weathering industry changes, and finding stability in their enduring partnership.

As they prepare to take the stage for what they’ve decided will be their final performance together, this film offers a moving portrait of two lifelong friends and collaborators whose music has endured generations, bringing audiences along for the emotional crescendo of America’s remarkable journey.

Media

Screener

Trailer

Key Art

Stills

Directors’ Statement

Dewey and Gerry have chosen this film as the platform to publicly announce the end of their 53 consecutive years of touring together. It has been the ultimate privilege to get the chance to document America's farewell to a lifetime dedicated to one of the most iconic runs in music history. 

We wanted this movie to not only tell the story of a band that has left an indelible mark on the history of music, but also look beyond the surface of the rock-n-roll lifestyle to reveal the dreams, challenges, and enduring partnership that have defined America's unique trajectory throughout the band’s musical career.

Through candid interviews and intimate moments on the road, we hoped to paint a portrait that not only celebrates America’s musical legacy but also pulls back the curtain on the individuals behind their iconic songs.

Filmmaker Bios

Technical Info

Runtime: 01:35:27

Aspect Ratio: 4:3 (2880x2160)

Shooting Format: Digital, 16mm, and 8mm film

Sound Mix: Stereo, 5.1 surround

Screening Formats: DCP, Blu-ray, digital download, streaming

About The Band

America has about 12.6 million monthly listeners on Spotify, a remarkable figure for a band that debuted in the early 1970s and continues to attract global audiences today. On Spotify alone, the band’s catalog has accumulated over 2.49 billion total streams across all tracks, with “A Horse With No Name” approaching 970 million streams on its own. Their audience is not simply nostalgic but actively listening at scale across modern streaming platforms, placing America among the most enduring classic rock acts today.