Sharing a passion for excellence

MANILA, Philippines - If there is one enduring quality that America, Ambrosia and John Ford Coley share as singers and entertainers, it is their common passion for excellence in their craft.

Although their songs became top hits in the ’70s and ‘80s, helping define the music of the eras, their appeal and popularity have transcended years and continue to endure until today despite the emergence of new artists with new sounds and styles.

In a rare act showcasing a wonderful synergy of talents and styles as they create an exquisite fusion of classic pop, rock and folk, America, Ambrosia and John Ford Coley will gather on the same stage during a major concert on July 31 at the Araneta Coliseum in Cubao, Quezon City.

Billed as America, Ambrosia & John Ford Coley Live!, the Big Dome show to be mounted by Ovation Productions will kick off a four-night concert series that includes solo performances by America at the Nueva Caceres University in Naga City on Aug. 1; Pagcor-Tagaytay City, Aug. 2; and Summit Center, Zamboanga City, Aug. 4.

Following the three-in-one act, Ambrosia is scheduled to perform solo a longer set during a dinner-show at the Hard Rock Café in Makati City on Aug. 1.

America returns to the concert scene almost two years after its successful five-night tour in 2007 which was highlighted by a jampacked show at the Big Dome in its comeback bid more than two decades since its 1981 debut at the Folk Arts Theater (now Tanghalang Francisco Balagtas).

Ambrosia, on the other hand, was a Los Angeles quartet whose fusion of symphonic art rock with a slightly-produced pop sound was very evident in its 1975 self-titled debut album, which spawned the chart singles, Holdin’ On To Yesterday and Nice, Nice, Very Nice, the latter based on Kurt Vonnegut’s Cat Cradle.

After its 1976 album, Somewhere I’ve Never Traveled, earned a Grammy Awards nomination, the group scored another hit the following year when it covered The Beatles song, Magical Mystery Tour for the transitory musical documentary, All This And World War II.

In 1978, it made its biggest pop breakthrough with How Much I Feel, its first gold CHR hit from its third album, Life Beyond LA, which landed No. 3 on Billboard Hot 100.

The band followed this success in 1980 with another No. 3 hit, Biggest Part Of Me, and the No. 13 follow-up single, You’re The Only Woman.

The forthcoming show will mark John Ford Coley’s seventh visit to the country since his debut concert here in the ‘70s at the height of the popularity of the duo of England Dan and John Ford Coley.

He has performed with top hitmakers like Elton John, Heart, Fleetwood Mac, Chicago, Carole King, Bread, Loggins and Messina, Led Zeppelin, Carly Simon, Bill Cosby, Dave Mason, Steve Miller Band, Randy Bachman, Jesse Colin Young, Air Supply and Gordon Lightfoot, to name a few.

America, Ambrosia & John Ford Coley Live! is presented by Ovation Productions in cooperation with etc, 2nd Avenue, Jack TV, C/S Origin and RJ 100.3 FM and sponsored by Philippine Airlines, Edsa Shangri-La, Chrysler, Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office, The Philippine Star, BusinessWorld, Philstar.com, GetzMo!, Focalcast and Optimasigns Solutions.

(Tickets to the Araneta Coliseum show on July 31 are priced at P3,800, P3,500, P2,800, P1,800, P800 and P500 and available at Ticketnet outlets at all SM Department Stores. For details, call Ticketnet at 911-5555. For inquiries regarding the Hard Rock Café show, call 893-4661.)