David Pack

A Life in Music
5 Decades Deep

Have You Seen David’s Tribute to James Ingram?

Check out “I Just Can’t Let Go” with James, Michael McDonald & David

New Music In Progress!

Best Life
New studio album in progress
(not final art)

Alan Parsons & David Pack
Future Release: Beatle Duets EP
(not final art)

Ambrosia 50th Box Set
The ultimate career retrospective you’ve been waiting for!
(not final art)

We’re All We Got
A magnum-opus pandemic-inspired future single
(not final art)


Here’s a look back at highlights over 5 decades in music…

It all starts with AMBROSIA

Photo: Norman Seef

Prog Rock Classics


Ambrosia

1975

Grammy Nominated
Alan Parsons Mixed
”Holdin’ On to Yesterday”
Top 40 Hit

Somewhere I’ve Never Traveled

1976

Alan Parsons Produced
Grammy Nominated

 

Classic Hits & Best-Sellers


Life Beyond L.A.

1978

David’s #1 Hit
”How Much I Feel”
#1 FM Life Beyond L.A.

One Eighty

1980

3x Grammy Nominated
David’s hit songs
”Biggest Part of Me”
”You’re the Only Woman”

 

From the beginning, Leonard Bernstein was my North Star

bernstein-pack-04png.jpg

Photo: Lester Cohen

Friend. Music Mentor. Genius.

The world knew Leonard Bernstein as the most celebrated conductor, composer, teacher, of the 20th century.  I knew him as a friend, hero, music mentor – who welcomed me into his family, took me under his wing, and somehow made time in his life for me and my family for over 25 years. Knowing in my late teens that none other than Leonard Bernstein was in my corner, giving me pep talks, and setting the bar: "I expect great things from you Pack," before I had a clue what my life in music would be, has made all the difference. 

It's summed up best by this song written by his daughter Jamie and me, that she sang to him for his Kennedy Center Honors Award in 1980: 

"Thank you thank you, for the big heart / making room for everyone is the hardest part"   

— David

  David Pack’s Songs of West Side Story Landmark Album

In 1996 David reimagined Broadway’s greatest musical, producing his career’s most ambitious work – a tribute to Leonard Bernstein – with 27 of world’s greatest stars.

 
  • 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.

 

 Quincy Jones Launches David’s Producer Career: 1983 – Present

 Producer Highlights:

 
  • 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.

 

David’s 30+ Year Solo Career: 1985 - Present

 
  • 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 Highlights - Soundtracks, Scores, Specials, and More

And most unexpectedly...

David hosts the TV campaign for The Best Soft Rock Hits of the 70’s and 80’s, One of the most successful campaigns in the history of Time Life/Star Vista, 10 years and still running.

 
  • 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.

 

 Music Director of Global Events: 1990 - Present

President Clinton’s Inaugural Arkansas Balls: 1993 & 1997

David Music Directed -Talent Coordinated-Produced both historic events; feat. artists Kenny Loggins, Sheryl Crow, Jewel, Michael McDonald, Bruce Hornsby, Bela Fleck, Bebe Winans, Andrae Crouch, Trisha Yearwood, and many others.

 

David Music Directed, Conducted & Arranged
AIDS PROJECT L.A. : “Commitment To Life” Fundraiser: 1992
Producer: Bernie Taupin

Billy Joel & Eddie Van Halen open with “Jet Song”

Elton John singing & dancing to “I Feel Pretty”

Barbra Streisand closes with the finale “Somewhere”

David & Alan Parsons: 1975 to Present
Legendary Music, Long-Time Friends

When David and Alan connected in 1975 it forever changed the trajectory of both their lives.
Alan mixed Ambrosia’s 1st album and hit song “Holdin on to Yesterday” & David helped Alan get a record deal

At Abbey Road, 1976

At Parsonics Studio, 2020


After mixing Ambrosia’s Grammy-nominated debut album and first hit Holdin’ On to Yesterday, he produced and engineered their 2nd Grammy-nom. LP Somewhere I’ve Never Traveled… and David helped Alan get his 1st record deal via Russ Regan/20th Cent. Fox, launching the Alan Parsons Project (and Ambrosia plays on their first-ever track “The Raven”)

 
 

 Special Project Highlights - Created & Produced by David

Songs of West Side Story
A Tribute to Leonard Bernstein

Feat. Aretha Franklin, Selena, Phil Collins, Trisha Yearwood, Lisa Left Eye Lopez, TLC, Little Richard, Chick Corea, Brian Setzer, Steve Vai, Natalie Cole, Michael McDonald, Jerky Boyz, Wynonna, Kenny Loggins many others. RIAA Cert. Gold benefitting NARAS Grammy & Bernstein BETA Education.

David Pack’s Napa Crossroads

A collaboration with the CEO’s of Napa’s top wineries, including - Silver Oak, Far Niente, Pride Mountain Vineyards, GV Vineyards & Casa Piena. Feat. Todd Rundgren, Doors’ Ray Manzarek, Alan Parsons, David Benoit, Rooney Robert Schwartzman, Bela Fleck, Mindi Abair.

The Bubble

Musical Soundtrack, David’s first musical. Premiered NY Musical Festival (NYMF) Broadway. Book by Karen Paul with David Pack, Wendy Robbins; Music David Pack; Lyrics David Pack + select with Karen Paul (not yet avail online - coming soon.)

Purpose of Christmas
Rick Warren CD + DVD

With companion book. Artists: Sarah MacLachlan, Vince Gill, Amy Grant, David Benoit, Martina McBride, others, to raise funds for global PEACE mission.

Thank You Billy Graham

Song and Film - CD + DVD. Feat Bono, Leann Rimes, Billy Dean, Michael McDonald, Kenny Rogers, Take 6, Marty Stuart, TobyMac/DC Talk, Faith Hill Pat Boone, Andrae Crouch & others.

Psalm 23 - Tribute to Children of 9/11 - American Bible Society

feat. Rebecca St. James, Billy Gilman, John Elefante, David. Copies of this CD were given out at Ground Zero and distributed to 9-11 families by the Mayor of NYC.

Committed 2 Rock

Released by Time Life TV Campaign - Rock with a Positive Vibe. Artists include Foo Fighters, Dave Matthews Band, Creed, 311, POD, Jimmy Eat World, Barenaked Ladies, others.

Amor Sagrado Vol. 1 & 2
with Univision TV

Spanish CD series, feat Linda Ronstadt, Marco Antonio Solis, Jaci Velazquez, Crystal Lewis, many others.

 
  • 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.

 

Good Morning Yesterday - Video Highlights

Below are some video highlights from David’s past, as featured on his YouTube page. Watch this space, as we will soon launch an exclusive subscription-only fan area featuring never-seen highlights of David’s amazing career.

Ambrosia Performs “Biggest Part of Me” - Merv Griffin Show 1980

Maria - Michael McDonald with James Ingram & David Pack Live - Gathering of Friends

David Pack Revisits Ambrosia’s Running Away - 2021

Ambrosia - Biggest Part of Me live on Midnight Special