Wolfgang Ambros

About:

19 March 1952

Born in Wolfsgraben, Niederösterreich, Ambros entered Austrian pophistory with a bang when he released the single ‘Da Hofa’ in 1971 at the age of 19. The track, written together with Joesi Prokopetz, was one of the first Austrian pophits. The debut album ‘Alles andere zählt net mehr…’ (written with Prokopetz & Manfred Tauchen) defined the Austropop genre. The trio also worked on the first Austrian rockopera ‘Der Watzmann ruft’, a musical that is still performed to this date. His second number one hit was ‘Zwickt’s mi kommen’, a song about the equal human rights, from the 1976 album ‘Es lebe der Zentralfriedhof’. Next to social aware songs Ambros became also known for more lighter songs like the ski-resort hymn ‘Schifoan’. In 1978 Ambros confirmed his status as popular singer with a show at the Wienerwald with his band Die No. 1. In the same year he teams up again with Tauchen/Prokopetz for the 'Schaffnerlos' project. One more rock/spokenword project with this trio would follow in 1981 under the title 'Augustin' after which T/P would team up with the German Humpe sisters as DÖF and score a European hit with 'Codo'.

In the 1980s Ambros sang together with André Heller. One of his biggest concerts took place at the Wiener Weststadion. Another one on the Kitzsteinhorn was the highest place a rock concert ever took place. Midway the Eighties his popularity began to diminisch when privat scandals around his persona take over from the music. His albums still sell well but are musically less interesting. By 1995 Austrian radio establishes the station Ö3 whcih specializes in Austropop. Ambros has a hand in that. It also sees a return to form for the artist. In 1997 he founded with Rainhard Fendrich and Georg Danzer the public charity "Initiative für Obdachlose" and the project "Austria 3". On December 10, 1997 they were playing a unique concert, singing as group their own (solo) songs. The concert was done to collect money for homeless people and their public charity. Because of the success of this concert they continued this project and made many concerts in Austria and Germany and released three live-CDs from 1998 - 2000. In 2000 he records an album with song by Tom Waits translated in Austrian. The years 00’s are dedicated in recoding songs written by Hans Moser († 1983). Ambros releases three albums with songs by Moser’s hand. In 2002 he receives the Amadeus Austrian Music Award for his entire work. In 2012 he celebrates his 60th birthday with a new album carrying the date of his birth ‘190352’.

On the web:

- Wolfgang's official website: http://www.wolfgangambros.at/index.php

If you like this, you probably like.. / european counterparts:

Herbert Grönemeyer (Germany)

Guus Meeuwis (Netherlands)

What do we think:

DB: Standing at the cradle of local popmusic has the effect that you receive a sort of untouchable position. This certainly applies to Ambros who is regarded the father of Austropop. His musical styles mix local folkmusic with pop and blues. Especially his albums from the seventies have a scharpness and a vibe that is appealing yet not lazy. Some say he and Danzer were copying each others style but my guess is that the operated brotherly together and are both very significant for creating the local pop scene. Towards the Nineties he lost his edge delivering rather mediocre albums. In the new age he returns with the light yet credible musical trilogy around Vienese actor/writer Hans Moser who had a big influence on Austrian cultural life around WW2.

Recommendations:

♪♪♪♪- Alles Andere Zählt Net Mehr - 1972

- Eigenheiten - 1973

♪♪♪♪♪ - Es Lebe Der Zentralfriedhof - 1976

♪♪♪♪ - Hoffnungslos - 1977

- Wie Im Schlaf - 1978

- Nie Und Nimmer - 1979

♪♪♪ - Weiß Wie Schnee - 1980

♪♪♪ - Selbstbewusst - 1981

- Der Letzte Tanz - 1983

- Der Sinn Des Lebens - 1984

- No. 13 - 1985

♪♪ - Gewitter - 1987

♪♪ - Mann Und Frau - 1989

- Stille Glut - 1990

- Äquator - 1992

- Wasserfall - 1994

- Verwahrlost Aber Frei - 1996

- Nach Mir Die Sintflut - Ambros Singt Waits - 2000

- Namenlos - 2003

- Der Alte Sünder - Ambros Singt Moser – 2005

- Steh Grod - 2006

- Ambros singt Moser - Die 2te - 2007

- Ambros singt Moser - Das Gesamtwerk - 2008

- 190352 - 2012
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♪♪♪♪♪ = outstanding album, an absolute must-have
♪♪♪♪ = great album, highly recomended
♪♪♪ = nice album
♪♪ = be careful, requires listening before buying
♪ = best to be avoided