Ventura Highway (Live 1977)

The Zoo Crew is spinning the classic "Ventura Highway (Live 1977)" by America from their album America Live, and the Zoo Freaks are loving this timeless track. Written by Dewey Bunnell in 1972 for the album Homecoming, the song’s origins trace back to a childhood memory. Bunnell has shared in interviews, like one with American Songwriter, that the song was inspired by a road trip with his family in 1963. They got a flat tire near Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, and while his father fixed it, Bunnell and his brother stood by the road, gazing at clouds that looked like “alligator lizards in the air,” a lyric that became iconic. The song’s title came from a freeway sign for Ventura he saw that day, though he later learned he’d mistaken the Ventura Freeway for a “highway,” a detail he’s laughed about since. That image of the Pacific Coast Highway and the open road vibe stuck with him, shaping this California anthem.

Another fun tidbit comes from the song’s curious connection to Prince. The lyric “purple rain” appears in “Ventura Highway,” predating Prince’s 1984 hit. In a 2020 interview, Bunnell said he’s often asked if Prince drew inspiration from it, but he has no proof, only noting Prince was just 14 when the song came out. He likes to think it might’ve sparked something, though. Fans on Reddit have also praised the song’s evocative power, with one user saying it “teleports you to junior high no matter what decade you were born in,” capturing its nostalgic pull. The live 1977 version, recorded during a peak performance period, showcases the band’s tight harmonies and energy, amplified by the crowd’s enthusiasm, as heard on America Live.

The song’s appeal extends to unexpected places. Bunnell recalled in a Songfacts interview that Jesse Ventura, the wrestler-turned-politician, became a fan because his wife loved America’s “A Horse With No Name.” When Ventura became governor of Minnesota, he invited the band to play at his 1999 inaugural celebration, tying his adopted name to the song. The 1977 live recording also highlights the band’s resilience after Dan Peek’s departure that year, with Bunnell and Gerry Beckley carrying on as a duo, their harmonies still pristine. Fans on Facebook often share stories of seeing America live in the ‘70s, noting how “Ventura Highway” always got the crowd singing along.

America began in London in 1970, formed by Dewey Bunnell, Dan Peek, and Gerry Beckley, all sons of U.S. Air Force personnel stationed there. According to their bio on venturahighway.com, the trio met in high school in the late 1960s, bonding over music and their American roots. They started performing locally, honing their folk-rock sound with tight vocal harmonies. After graduating, Peek joined the group, and they signed with Warner Bros. in 1970. Their 1971 self-titled debut album exploded with “A Horse With No Name,” a transatlantic hit that defined their early sound. The band’s mix of melodic pop, folk-jazz, and impressionistic lyrics set them apart, earning them a Grammy for Best New Artist in 1972. Despite Peek’s exit in 1977, Bunnell and Beckley kept America thriving, with hits like “You Can Do Magic” in 1982 and ongoing tours.

You can keep up with America on their official website, venturahighway.com, or follow them on social media: Facebook, Instagram, and X. Fans also gather at The Official Ventura Highway - A Tribute to the band America on Facebook, a group with over 260 members celebrating the band’s legacy. Another fan hub, the America Fans Facebook Group, connects Zoo Freaks and others sharing memories, concert photos, and love for tracks like “Ventura Highway.”