Wolfgang Ambros (born 19 March 1952) is an Austrian liedermacher (singer-songwriter). He is one of the most important contemporary Austrian musicians and is considered to be one of the founders of Austropop.[1][2]
Ambros' most famous songs are "Schifoan", "Es lebe der Zentralfriedhof" and "Zwickt's mi". "Schifoan" is effectively an anthem for the Austrian ski tourism and industry. Many Austrian skiers—but also many others—know the lyrics of this song.
Ambros has also released three cover albums (including songs by Bob Dylan, Tom Waits and Hans Moser. His latest album Steh grod (2006) was very successful.
Collaborations
Since 1978, Ambros has cooperated with the duo Tauchen/Prokopetz, who were very successful with DÖF in the 1980s. Also since 1978 Ambros has sung at live concerts with his band No. 1 vom Wienerwald.
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.
There were also cooperative efforts with the Viennese blues-musicians Harry Stampfer, Hans Thessink, Günter Dzikowski and DJ Kidpariz.
In 1997, he founded with Rainhard Fendrich and Georg Danzer the public charity "Initiative für Obdachlose" and the project Austria 3. On 10 December 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 to 2000 (and some greatest hits-CDs).
In 2002, he won the AMADEUS Austrian Music Award.
In 2005, he released the Album Der alte Sünder – Ambros singt Moser, which was a cover album recorded with Christian Kolonovits.
Discography
Ambros performing in Vienna in 2008
Albums
1972: Alles andere zählt net mehr
1973: Eigenheiten
1976: Es lebe der Zentralfriedhof
1976: 19 Class A Numbers
1977: Hoffnungslos
1978: Wie im Schlaf (Songs by Bob Dylan – sung by W. Ambros)
