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Ambrosia

Ambrosia is a progressive rock band that emerged in the early 1970s and achieved significant success in the United States. The band's music blended elements of progressive rock, pop, and soft rock, resulting in a unique and melodic sound. Ambrosia's lineup consisted of David Pack (vocals, guitar), Joe Puerta (bass, vocals), Christopher North (keyboards), and Burleigh Drummond (drums, vocals).

Ambrosia was formed in 1970 in southern California. The original members met while studying at the California Institute of the Arts. Initially, they performed as a backing band for various artists and developed their musical skills.

In 1975, Ambrosia released their self-titled debut album, which garnered critical acclaim. It featured the hit singles "Holdin' on to Yesterday" and "Nice, Nice, Very Nice." The album's success helped them gain recognition and a growing fanbase.

Ambrosia's music combined progressive rock elements with pop sensibilities. They were known for their intricate and layered arrangements, incorporating elements such as classical music influences, jazz fusion, and symphonic textures. Their sound was characterized by lush harmonies, intricate guitar work, soaring vocal melodies, and dynamic keyboard parts.

The band achieved their greatest commercial success with their third album, "Life Beyond L.A." (1978). The record included their biggest hit, "How Much I Feel," which reached the top 10 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. The album also featured the popular tracks "Livin' on My Own" and "Life Beyond L.A."

In the 1980s, Ambrosia released two more studio albums, "One Eighty" (1980) and "Road Island" (1982). These albums showcased a shift towards a more pop-oriented sound, with a greater emphasis on radio-friendly songs. They had success with singles like "Biggest Part of Me" and "You're the Only Woman (You & I)." However, the band experienced some lineup changes during this period.

After the release of "Road Island," Ambrosia went on hiatus in the mid-1980s. The members pursued individual projects and collaborated with other artists. In the late 1980s, the band briefly reunited to release a new album, "Somewhere I've Never Traveled" (1988), which received positive reviews but did not achieve significant commercial success.

Ambrosia continued to perform sporadically in the 1990s and 2000s. They often toured with other notable acts from the progressive rock era. Despite not releasing new studio albums in recent years, the band's music has endured and continues to be appreciated by fans of progressive and soft rock.

Ambrosia's unique blend of progressive rock and pop sensibilities, combined with their skilled musicianship and harmonies, contributed to their distinct sound and success. Their songs have remained popular and continue to be enjoyed by fans of classic rock and progressive music.


Ambrosia I (1970 - 1978)
  • David Pack - vocals, guitar
  • Christopher North - keyboards
  • Joe Puerta - bass, guitar
  • Burleigh Drummond - drums

Ambrosia II (1978 - 1979)
  • David Pack - vocals, guitar
  • Joe Puerta - bass, guitar, keyboards
  • Burleigh Drummond - drums

Ambrosia III (1979 - 1981)
  • David Pack - vocals, guitar
  • Christopher North - keyboards
  • David C. Lewis - keyboards
  • Joe Puerta - bass, guitar
  • Burleigh Drummond - drums
  • Royce Jones - percussion, drums

Ambrosia IV (1981 - 1982)
  • David Pack - vocals, guitar
  • Christopher North - keyboards
  • Bruce Hornsby - keyboards
  • Joe Puerta - bass, guitar
  • Burleigh Drummond - drums
  • Royce Jones - percussion, drums
Band goes on hiatus. During that time, Hornsby and Puerta form Bruce Hornsby and the Range.
Ambrosia V (1989 - 2001)
  • David Pack - vocals, guitar
  • Christopher North - keyboards
  • Tollak Ollestad - keyboards
  • Shem von Schroeck - guitar, vocals
  • Joe Puerta - bass, guitar
  • Burleigh Drummond - drums

Ambrosia VI (2001 - 2003)
  • Doug Jackson - guitar, vocals
  • Christopher North - keyboards
  • Tollak Ollestad - keyboards
  • Shem von Schroeck - guitar, vocals
  • Joe Puerta - bass, guitar
  • Burleigh Drummond - drums

Ambrosia VII (2003 - 2005)
  • Doug Jackson - guitar, vocals
  • Christopher North - keyboards
  • Tollak Ollestad - keyboards
  • Joe Puerta - bass, guitar
  • Burleigh Drummond - drums

Ambrosia VIII (2005 - 2009)
  • Doug Jackson - guitar, vocals
  • Ken Stacey - guitar, vocals
  • Christopher North - keyboards
  • David C. Lewis - keyboards
  • Joe Puerta - bass, guitar
  • Burleigh Drummond - drums

Ambrosia IX (2005 - 2009)
  • Doug Jackson - guitar, vocals
  • Ken Stacey - guitar, vocals
  • Christopher North - keyboards
  • David C. Lewis - keyboards
  • Shem von Schroeck - guitar, vocals
  • Joe Puerta - bass, guitar
  • Burleigh Drummond - drums

Ambrosia X (2009 - 2012)
  • Doug Jackson - guitar, vocals
  • Rick Cowling - guitar, vocals
  • Christopher North - keyboards
  • Joe Puerta - bass, guitar
  • Burleigh Drummond - drums

Ambrosia XI (2012 - 2014)
  • Doug Jackson - guitar, vocals
  • Rick Cowling - guitar, vocals
  • Christopher North - keyboards
  • Mary Harris - keyboards
  • Joe Puerta - bass, guitar
  • Burleigh Drummond - drums

Ambrosia XII (2014 - 2021)
  • Doug Jackson - guitar, vocals
  • Ken Stacey - guitar, vocals
  • Christopher North - keyboards
  • Mary Harris - keyboards
  • Joe Puerta - bass, guitar
  • Burleigh Drummond - drums

Ambrosia XIII (2021 - 2023)
  • Doug Jackson - guitar, vocals
  • Kipp Lennon - guitar, vocals
  • Christopher North - keyboards
  • Mary Harris - keyboards
  • Joe Puerta - bass, guitar
  • Burleigh Drummond - drums

Albums:
  • "Ambrosia" (1975)
  • "Somewhere I've Never Travelled" (1976)
  • "Life Beyond L.A." (1978)
  • "One Eighty" (1980)
  • "Road Island" (1982)



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Last Revised: June 21, 2023
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