BY DAVID DeROCCO 

When it comes to melodic California rock from the 70s, you’d be hard pressed to find a band any more mainstream than AMBROSIA. With five top 40 singles including the massive hits “How Much I Feel” and “Biggest Part of Me,” Ambrosia today is synonymous with the kind of adult contemporary radio that stills plays Seals & Crofts or England Dan and John Ford Coley (note to readers under 40: ask your parents). However, even Ambrosia die-hards might be surprised to know the band was once touted as part of the future of American prog rock.

“When we started out our first two records were prog-ish,” suggests drummer Burleigh Drummond, one of three current Ambrosia members that were part of the original line-up when the band formed in 1970. “We were considered America’s answer to Yes and Genesis on our first two records.”

The fact that all four original members of Ambrosia performed on the classic Alan Parsons debut Tales of Mystery and Imagination lends additional credence to their prog-rock cred. However, the music that earned them multiple Grammy nominations and nearly a decade of chart success was pure Southern California – a hybrid of diverse musical styles and influences that reflected the tastes of the band’s membership.

“The interesting thing about Ambrosia was really the composition of the personnel,” said Drummond. “We had Joe (Puerta), who was very much a singer/songwriter like Jackson Browne. Joe was Rolling Stones. Dave (Pack) was more Beach Boys and Beatles. Chris North was very blues oriented. I was very much into jazz. So everybody brought these elements together. It was a melting pot of everything.”

During a productive eight year period from 1975 to 1982, the band released five studio albums, climbing as high as #3 with their first gold single, “How Much I Feel,” and touring relentlessly in support roles with the likes of Fleetwood Mac, Heart and The Doobie Brothers. Despite the rigors of recording and life on the road, Drummond says he remembers it as an exciting time for the band.

“It was a different time back then, when you could spend a whole day trying to get a bass riff down. Those days were excessive in some ways, but they were creative too. So much good music came out of that era it’s hard to say it wasn’t worth it because it was very productive. Back then you had to actually play top to bottom as a band. You had to perform. It was a great time to grow up as a musician because it forced you to get your craft together.”

After 19 years perfecting their craft, Ambrosia wound up disbanding in 1982. Drummond said it was necessary given the stressors the band was under at the time.

“Initially we stopped because the business surrounding Ambrosia, the management, all that had gotten so oppressive that we needed to stop. It was affecting our relationship with each other. It was a good break. For me personally, it was time to go grow up after a lifetime of being in one band. Ambrosia was an incredible education, but when it stopped it was time to enter reality. Fortunately for me I met my wife Mary and started a family. It was perfect for me. In fact, that’s when I feel my real life started.”

The band reformed in 1989, and has continued to tour and record. In fact, there’s a new album rumoured to be coming out in 2018. And while you’re unlikely to find any upcoming Ambrosia single tracking on a Canadian rock station these days, Drummond says performing the band’s surprisingly complex music is still as challenging as it was during their the days when they were experimenting with their sound.

“The music is very inspiring, not only to the public but also to me,” said Drummond, whose wife Mary now serve as Ambrosia’s keyboard player. “I think Ambrosia today, even though the three of us have been together for 48 years, it’s still a challenge to play this music. You cannot phone this music in. There are still things I’m working on to be able to pull this off!”

AMBROSIA performs at the Avalon Ballroom April 28th. For tickets visit: https://www.fallsviewcasinoresort.com/entertainment