After stepping away from the spotlight, Grammy-winning vocalist David Pack is ready to remind Suncoast audiences why he’s considered one of the greatest voices of the ’70s and ’80s. The former Ambrosia founding member is bringing his talents to Ruth Eckerd Hall in Clearwater on Saturday, July 25, as part of the 2nd Annual Yacht Rock Summer tour alongside Orleans, Pablo Cruise, and Henry Gross—the artist behind the 1976 chart-topper “Shannon.”
Pack’s decision to rejoin the touring circuit comes after years focused on solo work and production. He’s been quietly finishing what he describes as some of his best material while maintaining friendships with the musicians he’ll share the stage with. It’s the perfect storm for a comeback: familiar faces, a crowd that still loves yacht rock, and a performer genuinely excited to reconnect with fans who’ve followed his journey from Ambrosia’s arena days through his producing work with everyone from Aretha Franklin to Phil Collins.
What makes Pack’s career so fascinating isn’t just the hits—it’s the behind-the-scenes gravity he’s exerted on music for decades. He’s collaborated with Steve Perry when the Journey frontman was in self-imposed retirement, arranged a private dinner between Leonard Bernstein and Michael Jackson, and produced tributes that brought together an all-star cast including Natalie Cole, Michael McDonald, and James Ingram. Those aren’t footnotes; they’re proof that Pack operated at the highest levels of the industry while remaining largely out of the tabloid spotlight.
The setlist for July 25 will blend his solo catalog with Ambrosia classics and a couple of surprises, though each band will do its own set rather than a full-cast jam. It’s the kind of respectful, musician-first approach that’s defined Pack’s career—no gimmicks, just great vocalists doing what they do best.
It’s worth noting that Pack lost his wife, Stacey Pack, to cancer in 2023. In her memory, he and musician Michael McDonald established The Stacey Pack Best Life Cancer Foundation to support recording artists and their families facing the disease. That foundation work, paired with his return to performing, speaks to a man who’s found meaning beyond the charts.
Clearwater audiences shouldn’t miss this chance to hear one of the era’s defining voices live.
