Festival News: Ambrosia Announced For RoSfest 2008 Friday Headliner
"It gives us extreme pleasure to announce Ambrosia as our [RoSFest's] Friday night headliner for 2008, but first a little band history.
"Ambrosia formed in 1970, in the South Bay/San Pedro area of Southern California. The musicians were inspired by the progressive rock era, and developed a large regional following for their inventive musicianship and skillful arranging. Ambrosia came to national prominence in 1975 with the release of their self-titled debut album on 20th Century Fox Records. Ambrosia was produced and engineered by the legendary Alan Parsons, and featured the top ten hit 'Holdin' On To Yesterday,' as well as the FM classic 'Nice Nice, Very Nice." After lengthy touring, the band returned in 1976 with Somewhere I've Never Traveled, also produced and engineered by Parsons. The album yielded the title song, which quickly became an FM favorite. Both Ambrosia and Somewhere I've Never Traveled received Grammy nominations, and set the stage for the band's signing to Warner Bros. Records. During that time the group also scored a top 40 hit with a cover of The Beatles classic 'Magical Mystery Tour,' from the motion picture All This And WWII.
"In 1980, Warner Bros. released One Eighty, a smash LP that produced two of the year's biggest hits, 'You're The Only Woman' and 'Biggest Part Of Me.' Though a headlining world tour and three Grammy nominations followed, one of the biggest honors bestowed upon them was Quincy Jones' declaration that 'Biggest Part Of Me' was one of his all time favorite songs.
"Ambrosia released their fifth and final album, Road Island, in 1982. From the Ralph Steadman cover illustration, to the James Guthrie (Pink Floyd's The Wall) production, to the album's dark central themes, Road Island was a conceptual, adventurous work of art that brought forward Ambrosia's exceptional talents. It also marked the end of an era for the band.
Well, 30+ some odd years after their splash onto the scene and a brief cessation of activity from the mid-'80s to the mid-'90s, the band is STILL kicking tunes and taking names. Three of the original quartet of Joe Puerta, Burleigh Drummond & Christopher North remain, as they and frontman David Pack had differences of opinion over musical direction and sought different paths. The newest iteration of Ambrosia boasts the edgy, youthful shredding of Doug Jackson on lead axe, the seasoned jazz 'n' jam-tinged stylings of long-time band collaborator David Lewis (Shadowfax) on second keys and making another return with the band is 12 year vet and vocalist Shem Von Schroeck rounding out this six piece band.
"Upon speaking with Burleigh Drummond & Christopher North they agreed to give something special to the RoSfesters and perform music from their more progressive albums Ambrosia, Somewhere I've Never Traveled and their fifth album Road Island.
"This promises to be a very special show so make your plans to catch Ambrosia on the RoSfest stage on May 2nd as our Friday night headliner.
"Be sure to head on over to the RoSfest website and check out the MP3 on the Ambrosia page. rosfest.com/Performers-2008/Ambrosia.htm"
[Source: George Roldan & Tom Smith, RoSFest]
