Complete List Of Ambrosia Band Members

From the sun-soaked shores of Southern California, Ambrosia emerged in 1970 as a progressive rock experiment that would evolve into one of the era’s most successful crossover acts. Formed in Los Angeles as a quartet with guitarist/vocalist David Pack, bassist/vocalist Joe Puerta, keyboardist Christopher North, and drummer Burleigh Drummond, the band took their name from Greek mythology meaning “nectar of the gods.” Originally called “Ambergris Mite,” they discovered another band was using a similar name and turned to the dictionary for inspiration. Their vision embraced “all shades, textures, colors and styles” of music, blending progressive rock with pop sensibilities that would define their career.

The band achieved remarkable commercial success with five Top 40 hit singles released between 1975 and 1980, including the Top 5 hits “How Much I Feel” and “Biggest Part of Me,” and Top 20 hits “You’re the Only Woman (You & I)” and “Holdin’ on to Yesterday.” Ambrosia released five studio albums during their initial run from 1975 to 1982, earning multiple Grammy nominations and reaching Gold status with several releases. Their debut album “Ambrosia” (1975) peaked at number 22 on the Billboard 200, followed by “Somewhere I’ve Never Travelled” (1976), “Life Beyond L.A.” (1978), “One Eighty” (1980), and “Road Island” (1982). The band disbanded in 1982 after their final album’s commercial disappointment but reunited in 1989 for touring and have continued performing with various lineups ever since.

Despite experiencing member changes over five decades, most of the original founding members remain active with the group. Puerta, Drummond, and North continue as core members, maintaining the band’s musical legacy while adapting to contemporary touring demands. David Pack, who departed permanently in 2000, was the primary songwriter behind their biggest hits and has pursued a successful solo career and production work. The band’s enduring popularity stems from their unique ability to blend progressive complexity with radio-friendly accessibility, creating a sound that bridged the gap between art rock and mainstream success.

David Pack

David Pack co-founded Ambrosia in 1970 and served as the band’s primary guitarist, lead vocalist, and chief songwriter throughout their most successful period. Born July 15, 1952, Pack first met Joe Puerta at age 15-16 when they played together in a band called The Sentry’s, later forming a “supergroup” of musicians from the South Bay of Los Angeles at age 18. David Pack was co-founder, guitarist and main vocalist for the band Ambrosia. His collected works as a performer and producer have sold over forty million units worldwide. Pack wrote and sang most of Ambrosia’s biggest hits, making him the creative driving force behind their commercial success.

Pack appeared on all five of Ambrosia’s studio albums from their 1975 debut through 1982’s “Road Island.” He wrote and sang lead vocals on their certified gold singles “Biggest Part of Me” (1980), “You’re the Only Woman (You & I)” (1980), and “How Much I Feel” (1978). He co-wrote and sang lead on the band’s first top 20 hit, “Holdin’ on to Yesterday” (1975). His songwriting contributions extended beyond hit singles to encompass much of Ambrosia’s progressive catalog, including complex arrangements that showcased his guitar work and vocal harmonies. Pack’s musical partnerships extended to notable collaborations with Alan Parsons, contributing to the first Alan Parsons Project album and later work.

Pack left Ambrosia permanently in 2000 after conflicts arose when remaining members performed concerts without him while he was on vacation with his family, fraudulently advertising that Pack would be performing. Pack’s final show with the band was on November 4, 2000, in Chandler, Arizona. After leaving Ambrosia, Pack pursued an extremely successful solo career and became a highly sought-after producer and collaborator. His 1985 solo album “Anywhere You Go” generated three charting singles, including “I Just Can’t Let Go” (US AC #13), a collaboration with Michael McDonald and James Ingram. In 1988, he recorded a duet with Bette Midler titled “I Know You by Heart,” featured in the film “Beaches.”

Outside of his solo work, Pack has produced numerous high-profile projects, most notably “The Songs of West Side Story – A Tribute to Leonard Bernstein” (1996), a RIAA-certified Gold album featuring 27 legendary artists including Aretha Franklin, Phil Collins, Selena, and TLC. Pack served as Music Director for President Clinton’s Inaugural Galas and events for artists like Barbra Streisand, Elton John, and Madonna. He has worked as an advisor to companies ranging from Avon to Kodak and cites Quincy Jones and Leonard Bernstein as his principal musical mentors. His career achievements include Grammy wins for production work and collaborations with artists across multiple genres, cementing his reputation as one of music’s most versatile creators.

Joe Puerta

Joe Puerta co-founded Ambrosia in 1970 as the band’s bassist and vocalist, forming the rhythm section foundation alongside drummer Burleigh Drummond. Joseph Puerta, along with David Pack, Christopher North, and Burleigh Drummond, created a unique blend of progressive, pop, and rhythm & blues which garnered them heavy rotation on FM radio, in addition to multiple Grammy nominations, box-office sellouts, and platinum slabs aplenty. Puerta’s bass artistry is as adventurous as the ensemble he commandeers, plying harmonic counterpoint and pocket grooves as the songs warrant. As one of the band’s primary vocalists, he contributed harmony vocals throughout their catalog and occasionally took lead vocal duties.

Puerta appears on all of Ambrosia’s studio releases, from their 1975 debut through their final album “Road Island” in 1982. He co-wrote several of the band’s songs, including their first hit “Holdin’ on to Yesterday.” His bass playing formed a crucial element in Ambrosia’s sophisticated arrangements, particularly evident on progressive tracks like “Drink of Water” and “Nice, Nice, Very Nice.” Puerta’s vocal harmonies were integral to the band’s signature sound, complementing Pack’s lead vocals and contributing to the group’s rich harmonic textures. His bass work demonstrated equal facility with progressive complexity and pop accessibility, adapting to the band’s evolution from art rock to mainstream success.

When Ambrosia went on hiatus in 1982, Puerta joined Bruce Hornsby and The Range as bassist and backing vocalist, becoming a founding member of the group. This period marked a significant chapter in Puerta’s career, as the band’s unique fusion of rock, folk, and jazz resonated with a broad audience. Their debut album “The Way It Is” (1986) became a huge success, with the title track reaching number one on the Billboard Hot 100. Puerta’s contributions to hits like “Mandolin Rain” and “The Valley Road” helped establish the band’s distinctive sound. His vocal harmonies and arrangements were crucial parts of Bruce Hornsby & the Range’s appeal, and he played a key role in their early success.

After his work with Bruce Hornsby & the Range, Puerta returned to Ambrosia when the band reunited in 1989. He has remained with the band continuously since then, touring internationally and maintaining their legacy as a live act. Joe Puerta has started a studio near his suburban Milwaukee home, The Exchange, where he’s produced several artists including Les Lokey, Big Nick & the Cydecos, Alaria Taylor and The Good Luck Joes. His production work extends his musical influence beyond performance, nurturing new talent and exploring different musical styles. Puerta continues as one of Ambrosia’s core members, providing both musical leadership and business acumen in managing the band’s ongoing career in the modern era.

Christopher North

Christopher North co-founded Ambrosia in 1970 as the band’s keyboardist, bringing a mysterious and dramatic stage presence that became legendary in their Los Angeles hometown. Born Christopher Reed North on January 26, 1951, in San Francisco, he grew up in San Pedro, California, playing in various bands through junior high and high school including The Proones, The Livin End, and Thee Exceptions. In 1968 he formed the psychedelic rock band Blue Toad Flax with Tom Trefethen playing organ and singing lead vocals. Joe Puerta famously discovered North in a dimly lit backyard shed, describing the scene where “Chris was there, playing the organ with a bottle of wine on the top…smoking a cigarette, and there was a girl massaging his shoulders as he played.”

North appeared on Ambrosia’s first two albums, contributing heavily to their progressive rock sound with his Hammond organ and piano work. He is known for his very intense live performances that captivated audiences during the band’s early years. His keyboard arrangements were fundamental to establishing Ambrosia’s sophisticated musical identity, particularly evident on tracks like “Nice, Nice, Very Nice” and “Drink of Water.” Christopher North, who had family obligations and was not totally happy with the group’s shift away from the sound of the first two albums, had left the group in 1977 during the album’s recording. His departure came as the band was transitioning from their progressive roots toward a more pop-oriented direction for their breakthrough album “Life Beyond L.A.”

Despite leaving during the recording of their most commercially successful period, North returned as a touring member when the band reunited. For the 1978 touring band, North returned and the group added a second keyboardist, David C. Lewis, as well as an additional singer, Royce Jones. This arrangement allowed North to rejoin the band while accommodating the additional musical demands of their expanding sound. North and the other members of Ambrosia contributed to the album “Tales of Mystery and Imagination” by The Alan Parsons Project, participating in one of progressive rock’s most celebrated collaborative efforts.

Throughout Ambrosia’s various reunions and lineup changes, North has remained one of the band’s core members alongside Puerta and Drummond. He continues to tour with the band, bringing his distinctive keyboard style to both their progressive material and their hit songs. Christopher North has faced health challenges in recent years, with Shem von Schroeck returning during the whole of 2024 (and will continue on into 2025) to stand in for Christopher North, who was undergoing a successful battle with throat cancer. He played organ and piano on the hit songs “Galilee” and “Rock ‘N’ Roll Preacher” from the debut album by Chuck Girard and also on Girard’s 1980 album “The Stand,” demonstrating his contributions to other artists’ work beyond Ambrosia. North’s intense live performances and keyboard mastery remain integral to Ambrosia’s live presentation and their connection to their progressive rock heritage.

Burleigh Drummond

Burleigh Drummond joined Ambrosia in 1970 as the founding drummer, completing the original quartet that launched the band’s career. The band discovered Drummond through auditioning drummers, and he immediately clicked with the musical chemistry being developed by Pack, Puerta, and North. Burleigh Drummond created a unique blend of progressive, pop, and rhythm & blues which garnered them heavy rotation on FM radio, in addition to multiple Grammy nominations, box-office sellouts, and platinum slabs aplenty. As the band’s rhythmic foundation, Drummond’s drumming style contributed equally to their complex progressive arrangements and their radio-friendly pop hits.

Drummond appears on all five of Ambrosia’s studio albums, providing the rhythmic backbone for both their art rock epics and their mainstream successes. He co-wrote several songs throughout the band’s catalog, including “Life Beyond L.A.” and contributing to various album tracks. His drumming style adapted seamlessly to the band’s evolution from progressive complexity to pop accessibility, demonstrating technical proficiency whether supporting intricate musical passages or driving their hit singles. Drummond’s percussion work was particularly crucial during their most successful period, anchoring songs like “How Much I Feel,” “Biggest Part of Me,” and “You’re the Only Woman” that defined their commercial peak.

When Ambrosia disbanded in 1982, Drummond pursued various musical projects before the band’s reunion in 1989. Burleigh Drummond drummed for roots CCM supergroup Lost Dogs for several albums, expanding his musical horizons into Christian contemporary music. He and Mary Harris co-founded their own group, Tin Drum, which has released three albums to date. Tin Drum also became a production company with such varied artists on their roster as bluesman Mighty Mo Rodgers and kids-oriented gospel act Kingdom Bound. This entrepreneurial venture demonstrated Drummond’s business acumen and commitment to supporting diverse musical artists beyond his work with Ambrosia.

Drummond has remained one of Ambrosia’s core members since their 1989 reunion, continuing to tour internationally and maintain the band’s legacy. “We have a communication musically that has developed over 50 years,” Drummond offers. “I don’t consider myself the greatest drummer in the world, but our rhythm section is great.” Drummond is married to current band member Mary Harris, and together they formed a family musical group with their singing/instrument-playing son and daughter. Both children have pursued music professionally, with their son initially studying to become a doctor before switching to music, and their daughter earning substantial income through busking and restaurant performances. Drummond’s family life intertwines with his musical career, creating a multigenerational approach to music-making that extends Ambrosia’s influence into the next generation.

Doug Jackson

Doug Jackson joined Ambrosia as guitarist in 2001, replacing David Pack after Pack’s permanent departure from the band. Jackson, a Colorado native who grew up playing jazz in Evergreen and attended the Berklee College of Music, had previously filled in for Pack for some shows in the late 1990s before becoming the band’s full-time guitarist. Doug Jackson was on the band’s radar from their early days—they had called on Jackson to substitute in the early 1990s, but he was sick and couldn’t take the gig. His formal joining marked the beginning of a new era for Ambrosia without their founding guitarist and primary songwriter.

Jackson appears on Ambrosia’s post-Pack recordings and has been part of their extensive touring schedule since 2001. He was in place on guitar for their 2001 shows, except for one gig at Stone Mountain Park in Georgia on August 25 where Steve Farris (from Mr. Mister) subbed for him. Jackson’s guitar work honors the legacy of Pack’s compositions while bringing his own jazz-influenced style to the band’s sound. His technical background from Berklee College of Music provides the musical sophistication necessary to handle both Ambrosia’s progressive material and their hit songs, maintaining the band’s reputation for musical excellence.

Jackson’s role extends beyond guitar playing to include vocals and occasional songwriting contributions. Later in 2009, Rick Cowling (formerly with Kenny Loggins) came in on vocals, guitar, and keyboards, though Ollestad still appeared with the band from time to time, most recently in 2010 when Doug Jackson was out playing guitar for Gary Wright. This demonstrates Jackson’s versatility and demand as a session musician beyond his Ambrosia commitments. His ability to step away for high-profile session work while maintaining his position in Ambrosia showcases the respect he commands in the music industry.

Jackson continues as Ambrosia’s lead guitarist, participating in their ongoing touring schedule and helping to introduce their music to new generations of fans. His presence has allowed the band to maintain their musical integrity while adapting to a post-Pack era. Jackson played in an opening band for Ambrosia in 1989, giving him a unique perspective on the band’s legacy and fan expectations. His long-term commitment to the band, spanning over two decades, demonstrates his dedication to preserving and evolving Ambrosia’s musical tradition. Through his work with the group, Jackson has become an integral part of their continuing story, bridging their classic period with their contemporary incarnation.

Additional Notable Members

Several other musicians have played crucial roles in Ambrosia’s extended history. David C. Lewis served as additional keyboardist during key periods, including the late 1970s tours and returning intermittently through the 2000s. Former keyboardist for the band, David Cutler Lewis, died of brain cancer on June 7, 2021, marking the loss of a significant contributor to the band’s sound. Shem von Schroeck joined as a touring member in the 1990s, playing multiple instruments and providing vocals. Shem then left in 2003 to join Kenny Loggins’ band but returned in the fall of 2022, this time on drums, to sub for Drummond, who was recovering from back surgery.

Mary Harris has been a long-standing member since the 2000s, contributing keyboards and vocals while also being married to Burleigh Drummond. The current lineup includes original members Puerta, Drummond and keyboardist Christopher North, along with Doug Jackson (guitars), Mary Harris (keyboards/vocals) and Kipp Lennon (lead vocals). Kipp Lennon (from the Venice, California band Venice) joined on lead vocals to start the 2021 tour as the band began their post lockdown era, Ken Stacey having exited during their downtime in 2020. These musicians have helped Ambrosia maintain their touring presence and musical quality while honoring the legacy established by the original quartet.

Robert Berry (vocals, guitars), formerly of 3 and GTR, joined temporarily in 2004–2005, and singer/guitarist Ken Stacey became a member in 2005 before his later departure. Rick Cowling (formerly with Kenny Loggins) came in on vocals, guitar, and keyboards in 2009, contributing to the band’s evolving sound. Each of these contributors brought their own musical expertise while respecting the established Ambrosia tradition, ensuring the band’s continued relevance and appeal to both longtime fans and new audiences discovering their music through contemporary touring and streaming platforms.

Check out more Ambrosia articles on ClassicRockHistory.com Just click on any of the links below……

Top 10 Ambrosia Songs

Complete List Of Ambrosia Albums And Discography

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