A new documentary about the veteran pop-rock group America will get its world premiere at the Newport Beach Film Festival on Tuesday, October 22, at the Lido Theater in Newport Beach, California. The film, titled I Need You: 53 Years of the Band America, features a behind-the-scenes look at the group’s farewell trek with founding member Gerry Beckley.
Videos by American Songwriter
Beckley retired from touring before the launch of America’s Ride On Tour 2024.
Beckley and fellow America co-founder Dewey Bunnell will take part in a Q&A session following the Lido Theater screening. The film’s directors, Dustin Elm and David Breschel, also will participate in the event. The conversation will be moderated by Denny Tedesco, director of the music documentaries The Wrecking Crew and Immediate Family.
I Need You offers an intimate look at Beckley and Bunnell’s 53-year partnership as members of America. It profiles the band’s history and musical legacy, and well as capturing the group’s final show with Beckley. In March 2024, Beckley announced that he was retiring from touring with the group “to spend more time with my family and friends.” He also reported that he’ll “remain an active member of the band.”
Beckley and Bunnell have been friends since high school. They co-founded America in 1970 with the late Dan Peek. After Peek left the group in 1977, Beckley and Bunnell continued on as the band’s co-leaders. Among the many well-known songs written by either Bunnell or Beckley are “A Horse with No Name,” “I Need You,” “Ventura Highway,” “Sister Golden Hair,” and “Tin Man.”
Other Screenings of I Need You
I Need You also will be shown on November 4 at the Ojai Film Festival in Ojai, California, and November 10 at the Coronado Island Film Festival in Coronado, California.
The directors also will take part in Q&A sessions at those screenings, but not Bunnell or Beckley.
For more information about the documentary, visit TheAmericaDoc.com.
The Directors’ Statement About I Need You
The filmmakers, Elm and Breschel, issued a joint statement regarding the new America documentary.
“Dewey and Gerry have chosen this film as the platform to publicly announce the end of their 53 consecutive years of touring together,” they said. “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.”
The directors continued, “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.”
The added, “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.”
America’s Upcoming Tour Plans
America’s Ride On Tour features 16 more performances his year. The trek continues with an October 18 concert in Hershey, Pennsylvania, and is plotted out through a December 7 show in St. Petersburg, Florida.
Tickets for America’s shows are available now via various outlets, including StubHub.
America’s Most Recent Release
America’s most recent album is Live from the Hollywood Bowl 1975, which was released in April 2024. The album was recorded on August 3, 1975, at the famous Los Angeles venue. The band was accompanied at the show by an orchestra by legendary Beatles producer George Martin.
Meanwhile, Beckley, who has mounted a prolific solo career in recent years, released his latest studio album, simply titled Gerry Beckley, in June.
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