Grammy Award Winning Artist, Producer & Musical Director of Global Events

David Pack is the original co-founder of legendary prog-rock pop band Ambrosia, the voice and sole writer of their classic hits from the 70's and 80’s. He went on to become a successful solo artist, Grammy-winning record producer, advisor to companies ranging from Avon to Kodak, and Music Director of global special events including both of President Clinton's Inaugural Galas, and events for Barbra Streisand, Elton John, Billy Joel, Madonna and others.

His collected works have sold over 50 million units worldwide.

He cites his two principle musical mentors, friends for over 30 years Quincy Jones and Leonard Bernstein, for helping to shape the course and vision for his career, now into its fifth decade. It was David who formally introduced Bernstein to Jones and to Michael Jackson in the 80’s.

David has had a career that most artists can only dream of and he is still going strong well into his fourth decade in music, with his classic songs not only enduring on the radio, but striking a chord with today’s hottest musicians and film-makers - in 2015 Pack’s “How Much I Feel” was sampled by hip-hop artist Big Sean on his song “All Your Fault” (feat. Kanye West) from his #1 album “Dark Sky Paradise,” with Pack credited for 50% of songwriting. In 2016 Judd Apatow’s Netflix original series “Love” featured David’s classic “Biggest Part Of Me” in the series trailer and in the first two episodes.

David shares: “I have spent more than half of my career creating special projects to honor and serve important causes and other artists, and it follows that most of the best things that have ever happened to me came from acts of charity and freely giving to others. I highly recommend it!”

That is the story behind David’s longevity, his heart, and what he hopes will be his legacy. What his industry friends and fans find extraordinary is how a man 100% deaf in one ear since 1977 keeps re-inventing himself and achieving success at every level. In fact, David will soon be launching a new online company he invented that he believes will be revolutionary in helping other artists while giving the world a new way to experience music. In this way, it can be said that David is a quiet Renaissance man in his own right.

(Click on the photos below to view larger versions)

Current Projects of Note

 Kevin Jonas Sr. father of Jonas Bros, David’s longtime friend, asked him to be the first artist Kevin would interview on camera for the debut launch of his new podcast. The interview took place in July 2020.

David Pack’s Legends Live: inspired by Ringo’s All Stars, five years ago David assembled a touring band of legendary friends that has become one of America’s best live classic rock acts: Alan Parsons, Richard Page (Mr. Mister, Ringo’s All Stars), Gary Wright, John Elefante (Kansas), Jim Peterik (Survivor/Ides of March), Mickey Thomas (Starship), Kelly Keagy (Night Ranger), Wally Palmar (The Romantics, Ringo’s All Stars) and hall of fame drummer Kenny Aronoff (Fogerty, McCartney), Faith Hill M.D. & keyboardist Jimmy Nichols, PINK drummer Mark Schulman, and more. During the pandemic, David has produced several virtual Legends performances and is working on more.

Barbra Streisand’s “Walls” LP Nov 2018 16 months prior to the release of Streisand’s latest album, David reached out to Barbra with a vision for her to perform Leonard Bernstein/Alan Jay Lerner’s song “Take Care of This House” (about the White House) from the musical 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. David, disturbed by the direction America was headed, felt Barbra’s definitive performance of the song could send a powerful message. Barbra loved the idea and recorded the song with additional new lyrics by David & Exec, Producer Jay Landers.

New Albums, Video Releases, Goals 2020 David has recorded 10 songs for a new solo LP he feels is a career best; he has released recent Beatle acoustic cover videos with dear friend Alan Parsons for CADA Santa Barbara Charity that have received Rave fan reviews; he’s working on an Ambrosia 50th Anniversary career Boxed Set with new NY record label Razor & Tie (RTI) Craig Balsam & Rhino; he’s looking to start a boutique record label for his artist friends, an “Artists Collective” that harkens back to Herb Alpert’s A&M and Mo Ostin’s Warner labels, where artists and producers created an artist- friendly family vibe, and a trusted home label for their final greatest works.

Career History - AMBROSIA

David’s career was launched through Ambrosia’s acclaimed debut album in 1975 on 20th Century Fox Records. The self-titled album (which was mixed by Alan Parsons and Grammy-nominated for “Best Engineered Album”) spawned the band’s first top 20 national hit “Holdin On To Yesterday,” which David co-wrote and sang. This early success, which also included #1 FM radio and college hits, allowed the band to tour America with acts such as Fleetwood Mac, The Beach Boys, Rush and Kansas, aggregating a large fan base as a premier progressive rock act. Billboard magazine and countless TV entertainment shows of the day called Ambrosia “the next big thing” in music. 

The band was so hot by the fall of 1975 that legendary manager & film producer Jerry Weintraub asked for a meeting and pitched wanting to manage the band, but the group declined. 

Ambrosia then scored another top 40 hit with a cover of the Beatles classic “Magical Mystery Tour” (featuring the London Philharmonic) appearing on the film soundtrack for “All This and WW2.” Then in 1976 Alan Parsons produced their 2nd album “Somewhere I’ve Never Traveled.” The album received great critical acclaim, including Billboard calling it "a close-up into one of the most intriguing collective minds in today's music." It was nominated for a Grammy, and yielded several #1 FM radio hits, bolstered by constant touring in America.

Then with a label change to venerable Warner Bros. Records, David went on to write and sing Ambrosia’s signature hit songs: 1978’s #1 smash "How Much I Feel" then 1980’s “Biggest Part of Me” and "You're The Only Woman," all BMI 3 Million Airplay and Grammy nominated songs. The band was featured on major TV shows including hosting Dick Clark’s Rockin' New Years’ Eve 1981, Midnight Special, and Don Kirshners’ “Rock Concert.” Warner Bros. put them on packaged tours with Fleetwood Mac, and several tours with the Doobie Brothers.

This momentum helped the band sell out L.A.’s premier concert venue The Greek Theater in the early 80’s. Then the band recorded their last studio record with Pink Floyd engineer/producer James Guthrie in England, titled “Road Island,” in 1982. They disbanded a year later.

Quincy Jones Launches David’s Career as Music Producer

In 1983 while seeking a new path forward, David met with the legendary Quincy Jones through his managers Fitzgerald Hartley who shared offices with Jones.  

David recalls: Quincy said to me “you produced and wrote those incredible Ambrosia hits, why not produce other artists?” I replied “I’d love to but how do I start?” Quincy said “you should produce Patti Austin for my label Qwest” to which I replied “yes please, thank you!” Quincy added “only one catch - you must introduce me to Leonard Bernstein, he’s my hero,” to which I replied “done!”

This led to David producing three albums over five years for Patti Austin, including the Grammy-winning “But Who May Abide…” from Handel’s Messiah-A Soulful Celebration; along with her acclaimed Qwest standards album The Real Me; and the GRP album classic: Carry On.

Circa 1984 Quincy asked David to write a song for daytime TV heartthrob Jack Wagner from General Hospital, who Jones had signed to his label. That song, co-written with Glen Ballard and Cliff Magness, became the #1 CHR smash “All I Need,” Wagner’s only hit, and a gold record.

David has since gone on to produce platinum and gold-selling Grammy-nominated records over the last 30 years, including Kenny Loggins’ 3-million selling Grammy-nominated Return to Pooh Corner LP, as well as records for Aretha Franklin, Selena, Natalie Cole, Michael McDonald, Linda Ronstadt (Disney’s Cinderella) Brian McKnight, Phil Collins, CeCe Winans, Trisha Yearwood, and two tracks on Wynonna’s gold album The Other Side.

Music Director of Global Special Events

In the early 90’s, music icon Barbra Streisand, via film composer James Newton Howard, asked David to help her arrange, conduct, and be a vocal coach for a fundraiser featuring a new song by Alan & Marilyn Bergman, “Common Threads.” The event supporting Sen. Barbara Boxer and women running for Congress featured Barbra, Dionne Warwick, Melissa Etheridge, Judy Collins, Goldie Hawn and other female superstars.

Then in 1992, David was asked by Bernie Taupin to direct and conduct the massive AIDS Project L.A. Commitment to Life fundraiser. This featured Barbra Streisand, Elton John, Billy Joel, Eddie Van Halen, Natalie Cole, Kenny Loggins, Lyle Lovett, and other greats performing David’s arrangements of West Side Story. The event was a triumph, raising over $4 million for AIDS research, for which David received industry-wide accolades.

The momentum from the AIDS concert manifested in David being asked to music direct, perform, and co-produce President Bill Clinton’s Inaugural Arkansas Ball in Wash DC on Jan 20, 1993. David hired his friends Kenny Loggins, Michael McDonald, Bruce Hornsby, Patti Austin, and Eric Clapton’s rhythm section to perform at the event. This became part of American history when Pack asked Clinton to play sax on Loggins’ “Your Mama Don’t Dance” - seen by over 3-billion people worldwide.

This event went so well that in 1997 Pres. Clinton asked David back to direct his 2nd Inaugural Arkansas Ball - for which Pack recruited Sheryl Crow, Jewel, Trisha Yearwood, and other superstars.

David went on to conduct/music direct events such as: Amfar Elizabeth Taylor’s tribute to Madonna; PETA fundraiser with Sheila E.; American Bible Society 9/11 Anniversary concert in New York; Colin Powell & Living American Presidents’ Volunteer Summit with Oprah Winfrey; California AIDS Walk at Greek Theater; Children of Bosnia at Greek Theater; and countless others.

in 2011 David served as music director, celebrity judge, and music producer for the global Avon female talent search Avon Voices. This two-year project included Fergie, Natasha Bedingfield, Diane Warren, Reese Witherspoon, and other female stars. David produced Diane Warren’s song “Until U Love U” for Russia’s #1 star Valeryia (over 200-million units sold) as the project’s debut single.

Special Products – Tribute to Leonard Bernstein & More

The Songs of West Side Story – Tribute to Leonard Bernstein: In 1996, after several years of dogged determination and almost impossible impediments, Pack’s career masterwork was released on RCA/Grammy Records: The Songs of West Side Story - A Tribute to Leonard Bernstein. Conceived, arranged, and produced by Pack with royalties donated to Grammy In The Schools and Leonard Bernstein Education Foundation, it features 27 legendary superstars including Aretha Franklin, Natalie Cole, Selena, Wynonna, Trisha Yearwood, Little Richard, Chick Corea, Brian Setzer, Steve Vai, Phil Collins, and TLC. The RIAA-certified Gold LP also included the late iconic Latin artist Selena performing her final work with David on this project, “A Boy Like That” feat. Sheila E.

Thank You Billy Graham: In 2002, David co-wrote and produced a tribute song to Rev. Billy Graham titled “Thank You Billy Graham” with country star Billy Dean and Pat Boone. It featured Bono, Faith Hill, Leann Rimes, Michael McDonald, CNN’s Larry King, Andrae Crouch, Tim McGraw, DC Talk, Pack, and others. Proceeds went to Graham’s charity Samaritan’s Purse. It is sold at the BGEA.com store.

Purpose of Christmas: In Dec. 2009 David produced a special CD project for famed Pastor Rick Warren (author of the best-selling Purpose Driven Life.) It featured David, along with superstars Sarah McLachlan, Martina McBride, Vince Gill, and others, and it was released exclusively by Walmart thanks to Irv Azoff’s help. It raised over $500,000 for Warren’s global PEACE missions.

Time Life Committed 2 Rock: David formed a music and media company in the early 2000’s with David Schwartz (founder of legendary Mix Magazine) and produced several specialty products, one of which was the Committed 2 Rock compilation CD for Time Life - featuring songs of positivity and faith from both Christian and mainstream artists like Foo Fighters, DC Talk, Dave Matthews Band, P.O.D., and many other multi-platinum acts.

David’s Solo Works

1986 was the year David’s debut solo album Anywhere You Go was released on Warner Bros. and contained the Billboard top-10 Pack-penned song “I Just Can’t Let Go,” a trio with James Ingram and Michael McDonald. It also included “Prove Me Wrong,” featured during the only dance sequence in director Taylor Hackford’s legendary White Nights film for Barishnikov and Gregory Hines, also appearing on the multi-platinum soundtrack.

In 2003 David released Unborn - a collection of “songs in the raw” on Oglio Records that continues to sell far beyond his expectations.

In August 2005 David released a jazz-pop-oriented solo CD on Concord Records titled The Secret of Movin' On featuring special guests Ann Wilson (Heart), Steve Perry (Journey), Timothy B. Schmidt (Eagles), Dewey Bunnell (America), and good friend jazz keyboardist David Benoit. The CD yielded two top-ten national AC & smooth jazz hits, and rave reviews from pop and jazz critics – including Jazziz Magazine’s Top 5 Best CD’s of 2005.

In 2007, David was nominated for “Best International Vocalist of the Year” by the Canadian Jazz Awards, along with Al Jarreau and Corrine Bailey Rae.

In September 2008, David’s first-ever musical The Bubble – A Musical Dot Comedy premiered as part of the New York Musical Festival (www.nymf.org.) He wrote all of the music and majority of lyrics, with the book being written by Karen Paull. It is based on the greed-fueled Silicon Valley Internet bubble and stock market crash of 2000, and inspired by the classic Broadway musical Damn Yankees. Opening night found David sitting with Leonard Bernstein’s daughter Jamie and renowned Eric Clapton producer Russ Titelman who gave rave reviews and encouragement. David is only now finishing the Bubble LP to be released in 2021.

Film, TV & Radio Highlights 

Career film and TV highlights include usages of David’s songs for hit movies such as Judd Apatow's #1 blockbuster 2007 comedy Knocked Up; Taylor Hackford’s 1987 film White Nights; and a duet with Bette Midler for the iconic movie Beaches (#1 double-platinum soundtrack.) David wrote five songs for Goldie Hawn’s Wildcats. For the Arthur movie #1 Platinum soundtrack starring Dudley Moore, David co-wrote “Poor Rich Boy” with Burt Bacharach. 

He penned “Our Love” (w/ Michael McDonald) as the end title song for Richard Gere and Kim Basinger’s film No Mercy. More recently David composed a significant amount of music for the indie film Gallow's Road, starring Ernie Hudson (Ghostbusters) and Kevin Sorbo (Hercules); and music for Director Robert (Coppola) Schwartzman’s 2018 movie Dreamland.

For TV, David wrote all music for Roseanne Barr’s Roseanne talk show on NBC; and in 2006 he wrote all music and cues for Rick Dees' radio show on Movin’ 93.9 Los Angeles.

Independently Produced Albums

Beato Band is David’s collaboration with his high school best friend, Cuban drum legend Fred Beato, released in 2016. Their resulting key song: “Cuba BC (Before Castro)” garnered major media coverage on CNN, Univision, NBC TV, OC Register (cover story,) and Sirius XM radio. Emilio Estefan gave the record his endorsement when Beato & Pack previewed it at his Miami offices. Full story: BeatoBand.com. 

Napa Crossroads is David’s 2014 hybrid song collaboration with CEO’s of five of Napa’s top wineries - Silver Oak, Far Niente, Pride Mountain, Gargiulo, and Casa Piena/Carmen Policy. Superstar guests: The Doors’ Ray Manzarek, Todd Rundgren, Alan Parsons, David Benoit, Cage the Elephant, Rooney, and others. It was composed and recorded in Napa Valley at the wineries.

Works of Charity 

In May 2019, David & his wife Stacey formed the Stacey Pack Best Life Cancer Foundation 501c3 charity to help artists and their families battling cancer. The kickoff fundraiser featured long time dear friend Michael McDonald and his wife Amy Holland, and Leonard Bernstein’s daughter Jamie. David and his wife are both cancer survivors and have a heart for helping others. They live in Napa Valley with 14-year-old son Jackson.  

David cites his devout faith as the single driving force in his life. He does volunteer work for Pastor Rick Warren, author of the 40-million-selling book Purpose Driven Life – in addition to the aforementioned Purpose of Christmas project, David booked the Jonas Brothers for Warren's Saddleback Easter service 2010 at Angel Stadium in Anaheim, and produced a satellite radio special for Sirius XM live from the event.

He supports charities and non-profit orgs: Slide Ranch-Muir Woods for Kids, St. Helena Hospital, Nashville Songwriter Association (NSAI), AIDS Project L.A., Dream Foundation, American Bible Society NY, Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, American Cancer Society, Grammy In The Schools, Convoy of Hope, V-Foundation, Leonard Bernstein Artful Learning, Pamper Me Pink / Crohn's Disease

Contact: Russell Wiener - General Inquiries: info@hiwheelentertainment.com

Michael Jensen - Jensen Communications: mj@jensoncom.com

Web: www.davidpack.com    facebook.com/DavidPackMusicOfficial