From London To LA was written in tribute to the great classic rock band
America, who had many hits during the 1970's including Horse With No
Name, Daisy Jane, and Lonely People.
To explain the song we have to explain a tiny bit of America band history.
Gerry Beckley, Dewey Bunnel, and Dan Peek are sons of U.S. Air Force
members who were stationed in London in the late 1960s. All three attended
the same high school, and at different times they each played with one another
in bands, but never all three together. After high school all three formed the
band. After their first big hit and first tour of the U.S. they returned to
London, then suddenly decided to move to L.A.
Imagine being 17 years old, having a number one hit on the U.S. charts, and
telling your family, friends, and music associates you're moving to L.A. That's
what the guys did, and what the song tries to capture.
Says Al: "Although I was a huge fan of the America band in my early years of
playing guitar, I had sort of lost touch with them, and had never seen them play
live. One reason for that was that I had performed so frequently for so many
years I didn't see any other bands. Another reason of course was that
America had not produced newly-recorded material in quite a while. One day
in late-2004 I was searching the internet for ideas for special Christmas gifts
for Barbi and the kids. I saw that America was going to play at the Coach
House in San Juan Capistrano - very near our home - that December. I
surprised Barbi and Samantha with tickets for the three of us. It was to be
Samantha's first concert, and I thought America would be a wonderful choice
for her first concert. Barbi and I share a love for a huge variety of music, so
I was pretty confident she would enjoy the band. I had no idea just how great
a gift that concert would be for the two of them, and what an important musical
experience it would be for me. We went to the concert and had a fantastic
time. After the concert, I was amazed that Gerry and Dewey, the two
remaining original members, stayed to meet fans and sign autographs. So we
met them. Here's a photo of Barbi and Samantha with Gerry and Dewey:.
America, who had many hits during the 1970's including Horse With No
Name, Daisy Jane, and Lonely People.
To explain the song we have to explain a tiny bit of America band history.
Gerry Beckley, Dewey Bunnel, and Dan Peek are sons of U.S. Air Force
members who were stationed in London in the late 1960s. All three attended
the same high school, and at different times they each played with one another
in bands, but never all three together. After high school all three formed the
band. After their first big hit and first tour of the U.S. they returned to
London, then suddenly decided to move to L.A.
Imagine being 17 years old, having a number one hit on the U.S. charts, and
telling your family, friends, and music associates you're moving to L.A. That's
what the guys did, and what the song tries to capture.
Says Al: "Although I was a huge fan of the America band in my early years of
playing guitar, I had sort of lost touch with them, and had never seen them play
live. One reason for that was that I had performed so frequently for so many
years I didn't see any other bands. Another reason of course was that
America had not produced newly-recorded material in quite a while. One day
in late-2004 I was searching the internet for ideas for special Christmas gifts
for Barbi and the kids. I saw that America was going to play at the Coach
House in San Juan Capistrano - very near our home - that December. I
surprised Barbi and Samantha with tickets for the three of us. It was to be
Samantha's first concert, and I thought America would be a wonderful choice
for her first concert. Barbi and I share a love for a huge variety of music, so
I was pretty confident she would enjoy the band. I had no idea just how great
a gift that concert would be for the two of them, and what an important musical
experience it would be for me. We went to the concert and had a fantastic
time. After the concert, I was amazed that Gerry and Dewey, the two
remaining original members, stayed to meet fans and sign autographs. So we
met them. Here's a photo of Barbi and Samantha with Gerry and Dewey:.
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| Free Verse Music from the heart for the world |
| SONG |
| From London To LA © 2005 Albert Mora |
| Background |
"The song Horse With No Name hit the charts in the U.S. precisely when I
got my first guitar. I was fourteen and I immediately became addicted to
playing guitar. The first song I learned was Horse With No Name. My best
friend Loui Nieto, who was also learning to play guitar from his older brother
Emilio Nieto, asked me to play with him at a talent show at his church. Loui was
Mormon. Before the curtain opened someone announced that we were up next
and all the teeny-bopper girls in this very conservative church rushed the stage
screaming! I am Catholic so I was scared the Mormon dads would kick us out.
We opened with Horse With No Name and the screaming never stopped.
Fortunately, the parents were also big America fans, and they cheered us right
alongside their daughters. So the first song I learned to strum and sing and
played in public was Horse With No Name, and I've played many more of
their tunes through the years.
"When we saw America in December 2004, the beauty of their music and
power of their live performance just knocked me off my feet. Since that day
I've become borderline-obsessed with the band. I don't apologize for it -
they've earned my loyalty through their talent and hard work. They've been
doing it for over 30 years!
"In January 2, 2006 we had another America-thrill. I contacted Steve
Lowry, who manages the official America fans web site
(accessbackstage.com/america). After listening to From London to LA, Mr.
Lowry placed a link on the front page of his site to From London To LA. What
an honor! Now America fans from around the world visit freeverseband.com.
"The third original member of America, Dan Peek, left in 1977. We know
Dan has heard From London to LA. I ordered Dan's book An American Band
from his web site (DanPeek.com). The book arrived with the following
inscription by Dan:
Al & Samantha Mora, Enjoyed your song "From London To L.A."
Samantha has a great voice! Dan Peek.
Dan, we thank you very much for your kind compliments!
"By now we also think Gerry and Dewey have also heard the song. On May 27,
2006, we (Al and Samantha) handed Gerry and Dewey each a copy of the
From London To LA CD at an America concert in Terra Haute, Indiana. You
can see photos from that show by hitting the Photos button in the navigator
bar above.
"And our connection with America continues to grow. I have seen the band
three times now. Barbara has seen them four times. In the summer of 2006, I
recorded background music for three America songs - Horse With No Name,
Tin Man, and Ventura Highway, for a concert we played in Hobart, Indiana.
Later, I decided to spend a Saturday adding all the lead and background vocals
to all three songs. On December 2, 2006 I again contacted Steve Lowry
asking if he might like to add another link to his page to my America Covers.
He said yes! You can hear those covers by clicking on the America button on
the navigation bar.
"Thanks to America for the inspiration, to all our friends at
venturahighway.com for their support, to Dan Peek for the kind inscription,
and to Steve Lowrey for adding the links to the American Fans home page
(accessbackstage.com/america)."
got my first guitar. I was fourteen and I immediately became addicted to
playing guitar. The first song I learned was Horse With No Name. My best
friend Loui Nieto, who was also learning to play guitar from his older brother
Emilio Nieto, asked me to play with him at a talent show at his church. Loui was
Mormon. Before the curtain opened someone announced that we were up next
and all the teeny-bopper girls in this very conservative church rushed the stage
screaming! I am Catholic so I was scared the Mormon dads would kick us out.
We opened with Horse With No Name and the screaming never stopped.
Fortunately, the parents were also big America fans, and they cheered us right
alongside their daughters. So the first song I learned to strum and sing and
played in public was Horse With No Name, and I've played many more of
their tunes through the years.
"When we saw America in December 2004, the beauty of their music and
power of their live performance just knocked me off my feet. Since that day
I've become borderline-obsessed with the band. I don't apologize for it -
they've earned my loyalty through their talent and hard work. They've been
doing it for over 30 years!
"In January 2, 2006 we had another America-thrill. I contacted Steve
Lowry, who manages the official America fans web site
(accessbackstage.com/america). After listening to From London to LA, Mr.
Lowry placed a link on the front page of his site to From London To LA. What
an honor! Now America fans from around the world visit freeverseband.com.
"The third original member of America, Dan Peek, left in 1977. We know
Dan has heard From London to LA. I ordered Dan's book An American Band
from his web site (DanPeek.com). The book arrived with the following
inscription by Dan:
Al & Samantha Mora, Enjoyed your song "From London To L.A."
Samantha has a great voice! Dan Peek.
Dan, we thank you very much for your kind compliments!
"By now we also think Gerry and Dewey have also heard the song. On May 27,
2006, we (Al and Samantha) handed Gerry and Dewey each a copy of the
From London To LA CD at an America concert in Terra Haute, Indiana. You
can see photos from that show by hitting the Photos button in the navigator
bar above.
"And our connection with America continues to grow. I have seen the band
three times now. Barbara has seen them four times. In the summer of 2006, I
recorded background music for three America songs - Horse With No Name,
Tin Man, and Ventura Highway, for a concert we played in Hobart, Indiana.
Later, I decided to spend a Saturday adding all the lead and background vocals
to all three songs. On December 2, 2006 I again contacted Steve Lowry
asking if he might like to add another link to his page to my America Covers.
He said yes! You can hear those covers by clicking on the America button on
the navigation bar.
"Thanks to America for the inspiration, to all our friends at
venturahighway.com for their support, to Dan Peek for the kind inscription,
and to Steve Lowrey for adding the links to the American Fans home page
(accessbackstage.com/america)."
| Lyrics |
Mom how have you been?
Great to hear you
Wish I could be near you
Yes I left too soon
Had to go
Had to make that show
I rode my horse away
From London to LA
But you stayed in my heart
Dad I hope you're fine
I sure miss you
We'll make up the time
Yes I left too soon
Had to grow
Had to make that show
I rode my horse away
From London to LA
But you stayed in my heart
Great to hear you
Wish I could be near you
Yes I left too soon
Had to go
Had to make that show
I rode my horse away
From London to LA
But you stayed in my heart
Dad I hope you're fine
I sure miss you
We'll make up the time
Yes I left too soon
Had to grow
Had to make that show
I rode my horse away
From London to LA
But you stayed in my heart
Rode highways in the sky
I could not say goodbye
Cause I can't see you cry
Ooo, Ooo
Ooo, Ooo
Ben my royal friend
Magic castles
That we built together
Left you all alone
Had to know
Had to make that show
I rode my horse away
From London to LA
With you...
I could not say goodbye
Cause I can't see you cry
Ooo, Ooo
Ooo, Ooo
Ben my royal friend
Magic castles
That we built together
Left you all alone
Had to know
Had to make that show
I rode my horse away
From London to LA
With you...
| Credits |
Lead and Background Vocals Samantha Mora
Lyrics, Melody, Instruments Al Mora
Lyrics, Melody, Instruments Al Mora
| Technical Information |
Recording Software Protools Digi 001.5.3 2000
Steel String Acoustic Guitar Sigma Martin DM 4B 1994
Classical Guitar Yamaha CG 01 2001
Electric Guitar Gibson Les Paul Custom 1979
Guitar Amp Roland Micro Cube 2005
Electric Bass Fender Squire 2000 (plugged to board)
Drum Machine Roland Rhythm Composer TR 505 1985
Microphones Shure SM58
Steel String Acoustic Guitar Sigma Martin DM 4B 1994
Classical Guitar Yamaha CG 01 2001
Electric Guitar Gibson Les Paul Custom 1979
Guitar Amp Roland Micro Cube 2005
Electric Bass Fender Squire 2000 (plugged to board)
Drum Machine Roland Rhythm Composer TR 505 1985
Microphones Shure SM58
| Dewey Bunnel |
| Gerry Beckley |
| Samantha Mora |
| Barbara Mora |
| The Coach House San Juan Capistrano Dec 11, 2004 |