David Pack
David Pack | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Background information | |
| Born | David Robert Pack July 15, 1952 |
| Genres | Pop rock, progressive rock, soft rock |
| Occupation(s) | Singer, songwriter, record producer |
| Instrument(s) | Guitar, keyboards, vocals |
| Years active | 1970–present |
| Labels | Warner Bros., 20th Century Fox, Concord |
| Website | www |
David Robert Pack (born July 15, 1952) is an American singer and musician best known as co-founder, lead vocalist, and guitarist of the rock band Ambrosia in the 1970s and 1980s. Pack wrote and sang most of Ambrosia's biggest hits, including “Biggest Part of Me”, “You're the Only Woman (You & I)”, and “How Much I Feel”.
In the mid 1990s Pack produced Ambrosia's Anthology CD on Warner Bros. (Best of) along with three new tracks. These included “I Just Can't Let Go” with James Ingram & Michael McDonald remixed from Pack's solo album in 1986 (a top 15 Billboard Hit).
Pack stopped touring with the band in 2000, after they played a concert in Atlantic City without him while he was on vacation with his family, fraudulently advertising that Pack would be performing. This and other acts of betrayal towards Pack including using the Ambrosia name for live concerts without Pack's permission while misleading fans and promoters, caused years of legal issues.
Early life
[edit]Pack was born in Huntington Park, California in 1952.[1] He first learned the ukulele at age five and by age twelve was playing in bands.[1]
Career
[edit] | This section needs additional citations for verification. (October 2025) |
Ambrosia
[edit]
Pack was co-founder, guitarist and main vocalist for the band Ambrosia, a band formed in 1970 with Joe Puerta, Christopher North and Burleigh Drummond.[2][3] His collected works as a performer and producer have sold over forty million units worldwide. Hits from the band written and sung by Pack include certified gold singles "Biggest Part of Me" (1980), "You're the Only Woman (You & I)" (1980) and "How Much I Feel" (1978).[4] He co-wrote and sang lead on the band's first top 20 hit, "Holdin' on to Yesterday" (1975).
Pack left the band in 2000, just before the bands 30th year anniversary tour.
Solo
[edit]During the 1980s, Pack enjoyed moderate success as a solo artist with the release of his Anywhere You Go LP in 1985. The album generated three charting singles, the greatest of which was "I Just Can't Let Go" (US AC #13), a collaboration with Michael McDonald and James Ingram.[5] In 1988, he recorded a duet with Bette Midler titled "I Know You by Heart", which was featured in the film Beaches and on its soundtrack.
Alan Parsons
[edit]
He co-wrote three songs ("The Three of Me", "I'm Talkin' to You" and "Oh, Life (There Must Be More)"), for which he also sang and played guitar, on Alan Parsons's 1993 album Try Anything Once, and sang and played guitar on the song "You Can Run" on Parsons' 2004 album, A Valid Path. (Ambrosia's first album was engineered by Alan Parsons, who served as producer and engineer for their second; all four members of Ambrosia played on the first Alan Parsons Project album, Tales of Mystery and Imagination.) Pack joined producer Alan Parsons on his 2001 live tribute tour to the music of the Beatles called A Walk Down Abbey Road. His 2005 solo album, The Secret of Movin' On, included remakes of "Biggest Part of Me" and "You're the Only Woman". Pack again appeared as lead vocalist on the song "I Won't Be Led Astray" on Parsons' 2022 album From the New World.
Guest appearances
[edit]Pack guested on lead vocals on the song "Ground Zero" for Kerry Livgren's 1980 solo album, Seeds of Change. He then performed on Kansas' Vinyl Confessions album in 1982. He would later contribute guest lead vocals on the track "Shine On" off of the album It's a Jungle Out There! by Mastedon, one of two Mastedon albums written and produced by former Kansas lead singer John Elefante and his brother Dino Elefante. He also Appeared on Chet Atkins & Friends (1987) on Cinemax as guitarist.
As producer
[edit]Pack has worked as producer for Phil Collins, Aretha Franklin, Kenny Loggins, and Wynonna Judd. He has also produced music for Chet Atkins, Patti Austin, David Benoit, Natalie Cole, Chick Corea, Andrae Crouch, DC Talk, Amy Grant, Faith Hill, Bruce Hornsby, Jennifer Hudson, James Ingram, Patti LaBelle, Little Richard, Branford Marsalis, Bette Midler, Michael McDonald, Brian McKnight, Olivia Newton-John, The Pointer Sisters, LeAnn Rimes, Linda Ronstadt, Brian Setzer, Mavis Staples, Take 6, Steve Vai, Trisha Yearwood, and CeCe Winans.[6]
David produced, conceived & arranged the 1995 BMG/ Sony Tribute to Leonard Bernstein: “The Songs of West Side Story” benefiting Bernstein Education Through the Arts (BETA) Fund & Grammy's Music in Schools, RIAA Certified Gold album. It featured 27 superstar artists including Aretha Franklin, Phil Collins, Natalie Cole, TLC, Lisa Left Eye Lopes, Brian Setzer, Chick Corea, Toto, David Paich, Sheila E, James Ingram, Michael McDonald, Bruce Hornsby, Patti Austin, Steve Vai, Little Richard, Take 6, Mervyn Warren, Def Jef, Paul Rodriguez, Jerky Boys, All-4-One and the late Selena's final performance featured in the film Selena soundtrack. [7] This project included Broadway legend Stephen Sondheim allowing David to add lyric variations and rap improvs to songs “ Officer Krupke” and Little Richard's “I Feel Pretty”. Sondheim voiced his approval to Bernstein son Alexander in a note saying “ To my surprise, I rather enjoyed both “Krupke" and "I Feel Pretty”.
David served as Music Director & Co Producer of Pres. Clinton's Inaugural Arkansas Ball in 1993 and again in 1997 featuring “David Pack's All Star Dream Team band: Michael McDonald, Bruce Hornsby, Kenny Loggins, Patti Austin, Greg Phillinganes, Nathan East, Steve Ferrone and others. Pack got Pres. Clinton to play sax on Loggin's “Your Mama Don't Dance” at ’93 Inaugural that made headlines around the world. [8] In 1997 David Music Directed "The Presidential Volunteer Summit" in Pa. with Oprah, Colin Powell and all living Presidents. Performing stars included Wynonna Judd, Bela Fleck, John Secada, John Travolta. [6]
In 2000 David Co-Music directed & performed for Yamaha's Millennium Lifetime Achievement Concert honoring Michael McDonald at Shrine Auditorium hosted by Jeff Bridges. The concert included performances by Ray Charles, Christopher Cross, Patti LaBelle, Kenny Loggins, Boz Scaggs and marked the debut performance of “Maria” by Michael, David, and James Ingram” from the Songs of West Side Story album[6] In 2005 David produced and music directed the World Aids Day concert at Saddleback Church in Orange County, featuring artists ranging from Wynonna Judd & DC Talk's Michael Tait to Country star Jimmy Wayne helping "Purpose Driven Life” Author Pastor Rick Warren. [6][9]
Previous significant events David Music Directed include 1992 Aids Project LA feat. Elton John, Billy Joel, Barbra Streisand, Eddie Van Halen Produced by Bernie Taupin; AmFar's Elizabeth Taylor tribute to Madonna; Avon Voices with Fergie, Dianne Warren; California Aids Walk 2010 Greek Theatre feat. Sheila E, Steve Lukather, Alan Parsons, Siedah Garrett. [6][10][11]
Grammy nominations
[edit]Pack has been nominated for a Grammy award three times: the first two times were in the 23rd Annual Grammy Awards in 1981 for the Ambrosia song "Biggest Part of Me", which was nominated for "Best Arrangement For Voices" and "Best Arrangement Accompanying Vocalist(s)", and the third and final nomination came in the 37th Annual Grammy Awards in 1995 when he was nominated as a producer on Kenny Loggins' Return to Pooh Corner album for "Best Musical Album For Children".[12]
Personal life
[edit]Both he and his wife have suffered from cancer.[13] They live in Napa Valley and have a son, Jackson.[13]
Discography
[edit] | This section needs additional citations for verification. (October 2025) |
Ambrosia
[edit]- Ambrosia (1975)
- Somewhere I've Never Travelled (1976)
- Life Beyond L.A. (1978)
- One Eighty (1980)
- Road Island (1982)
Solo albums
[edit]| Year | Album details | Chart peak positions | Certifications | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| U.S. | ||||
| 1985 | Anywhere You Go
|
— | ||
| 1997 | Wynonna LP The Other Side
|
— | Pack Produced "The Wyld Unknown" & "Why Now." | |
| 2004 | Unborn
|
— | ||
| 2005 | The Secret of Movin On
|
— | ||
| 2014 | David Pack's NapaCrossroads
|
— | ||
| 2018 | The Purpose of Christmas: Rick Warren
|
— | David Produced & Arranged
Benefitting Global P.E.A.C.E. | |
A Tribute to Andre Crouch
|
— | ** Grammy Winner Best Contemporary Gospel
Album of Year. DP Produced Finale "To God Be the Glory." | ||
Cece Winans: His Gift
|
— | |||
Thank You: Billy Graham
|
— | |||
Handel's Messiah: A Soulful Celebration
|
— | ** Grammy Winner Best Contemporary Christian
album of year. DP Produced Patti Austin's "But Who May Abide." | ||
Wayne Watson: Field of Souls
|
— | |||
Lisa Nevill: Love of Heaven
|
— | |||
Brian Duncan
|
— |
Solo singles
[edit]| Year | Title | Chart positions[5][15] | Certifications | Album | Notes | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| US | US AC |
AU | CAN | |||||
| 1985 | "That Girl Is Gone" | -- | 16 | — | 93 | Anywhere You Go | ||
| 1986 | "Prove Me Wrong" | 95 | — | — | — | White Nights | ||
| "I Just Can't Let Go" | — | 13 | — | — | Anywhere You Go | |||
| 1987 | "The Key To You" | — | — | — | — | Duet with David Benoit | ||
| 2005 | "You're The Only Woman" re-make | — | — | — | — | The Secret of Movin On | ||
| "Biggest Part of Me" re-make | — | — | — | — | The Secret of Movin On | |||
Movie soundtracks
[edit]| Year | Album details | Chart peak positions | Certifications |
|---|---|---|---|
| U.S. | |||
| 1985 | White Nights
|
— | |
| 1986 | Wildcats
|
— | |
| 1988 | Beaches
|
— | |
| 1995 | The Music of Cinderella
|
— | |
| 1997 | Selena
|
— | |
| 2015 | Gallows Road
|
— |
|
Record producer highlights
[edit]| Year | Title | Artist | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1985 | White Nights film Soundtrack | Various | RIAA Platinum (Atlantic) |
| 1990 | The Real Me, Patti Austin | Patti Austin | |
| 1991 | Carry On | Patti Austin | |
| 1992 | Handel’s Messiah: A Soulful Celebration | Various | "But Who May Abide the Day of His Coming" - Patti Austin / Grammy Winner |
| 1994 | Return To Pooh Corner | Kenny Loggins | RIAA Platinum Grammy-Nominated |
| Disney’s Cinderella feat. Linda Ronstadt & others | Linda Ronstadt + various | Co-writer of "A Dream is a Wish" | |
| 1996 | The Songs Of West Side Story | Various |
|
| Tribute: Songs of Andrae Crouch | Grammy Best Contemp Gospel Album of Year | ||
| 1997 | The Other Side | Wynonna Judd | RIAA Gold / "Wyld Unknown" "Why Now" |
| Ambrosia Anthology | Ambrosia | Greatest hits + 3 new songs | |
| 1998 | His Gift, CeCe Winans | Various | Dove Award-nominated |
| One Heart At A Time Cystic Fibrosis | Featuring Garth Brooks, Faith Hill, Olivia Newton John | ||
| 2000 | Michael McDonald’s Blue Obsession | Michael McDonald | Performer on "Ain't That Peculiar" (track 11) |
| 2002 | Psalm 23 project 9/11 Children of Victims NY American Bible Society | Various[6] | |
| 2014 | David Pack's Napa Crossroads | Feauting Doors’ Ray Manzarek, Todd Rundgren, Alan Parsons, Bela Fleck, David Benoit, Rooney Robert Schwartzman, others | |
| "Thank You Billy Graham" | Various | Single / featuring Bono, Leann Rimes, TobyMac, Andrae Crouch | |
| Purpose of Christmas | Featuring Sarah McLachlan, Vince Gill, Rick Warren |
Film & TV
[edit]| Year | Title | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1980 | Inside Moves | “Outside” co written with Michael McDonald |
| Coast to Coast[6] | ||
| 1981 | Arthur | “Poor Rich Boy” co-written w/ Burt Bacharach - Movie Soundtrack |
| 1986 | No Mercy | Co-writer “Our Love” with Michael McDonald |
| Wildcats | Four songs with James Newton Howard incl. Mavis Staples “Show Me How It Works” & Randy Crawford “I Don’t Wanna Be Normal” | |
| 1987 | White Nights |
|
| Chet Atkins & Friends - HBO special |
| |
| 1988 | Beaches |
|
| 2002—2003 | Roseanne | Composed all music |
| 2004 | A Gathering of Friends - Michael McDonald PBS TV Special | With McDonald, David and James Ingram performing songs as a trio |
| 2007 | Knocked Up | |
| 2016 | Tammy -Melissa McCarthy | |
| 2017 | The Big Sick | |
| 2023 | Sometimes When We Touch-The Rein, Ruin & Resurrection of Soft Rock Paramount Plus | |
| 2024 | The Last Showgirl | |
| Yacht Rock Dockumentary | ||
| David -TV Host - Time Life/ Star Vista Greatest Soft Rock Hits 70’s & 80’s’’ |
Other projects
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ a b "Biography: Stuart Elliott". www.theavenueonline.info. Retrieved October 25, 2025.
- ^ Theakston, Rob. "David Pack Biography". AllMusic. All Media Network. Retrieved January 3, 2015.
- ^ "Ambrosia Songs, Albums, Reviews, Bio & More | ..." AllMusic. Retrieved October 25, 2025.
- ^ RIAA Gold and Platinum[1]
- ^ a b Whitburn, Joel (1993). Top Adult Contemporary: 1961–1993. Record Research. p. 182.
- ^ a b c d e f g https://www.davidpack.com
- ^ https://www.sessiondays.com/2018/11/1996-various-the-songs-of-west-side-story/
- ^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on January 4, 2015. Retrieved September 17, 2014.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link) - ^ https://www.latimes.com › archives › la-xpm-1995-01-21-ca-22545-story.html
- ^ https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1992-11-20-ca-769-story.html
- ^ https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1995-01-21-ca-22545-story.html
- ^ "David Pack | Artist | GRAMMY.com". www.grammy.com. Retrieved October 25, 2025.
- ^ a b "Bio". David Pack. Retrieved October 25, 2025.
- ^ https://www.riaa.com/gold-platinum/?tab_active=default-award&ar=Wynonna+judd&ti=The+other+side&lab=&genre=&format=&date_option=release&from=&to=&award=&type=&category=&adv=SEARCH#search_section
- ^ RPM 100 singles
- ^ https://www.riaa.com/gold-platinum/?tab_active=default-award&ar=&ti=White+Nights&lab=&genre=&format=&date_option=release&from=&to=&award=&type=&category=&adv=SEARCH#search_section
- ^ https://www.riaa.com/gold-platinum/?tab_active=default-award&ar=Bette+Midler&ti=Beaches+&lab=&genre=&format=&date_option=release&from=&to=&award=&type=&category=&adv=SEARCH#search_section
- ^ https://www.riaa.com/gold-platinum/?tab_active=default-award&ar=&ti=Selena&lab=emi+latin&genre=&format=&date_option=release&from=&to=&award=&type=&category=&adv=SEARCH#search_section
- ^ "Child refugee from Cuba, now 65, recalls his past and bares his soul at high school reunion concert". Orange County Register. September 21, 2017. Retrieved February 20, 2021.
- ^ "Concert of the Century with Beato Band". David Pack. Archived from the original on September 29, 2019. Retrieved February 20, 2021.
- ^ "Cuban Americans Await President Obamas Visit to Cuba". NBC Los Angeles. Retrieved February 20, 2021.
- ^ "Beato Band | David Pack and Fred Beato". beato-band. Archived from the original on April 7, 2015. Retrieved February 20, 2021.
External links
[edit]- David Pack's official site
- David Pack discography at Discogs
- David Pack at IMDb
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