The founding keyboardist of ’70s rock band Ambrosia, Christopher North, has passed away at the age of 75. The band broke the news on Monday via a tributary post shared from its official Facebook page. The post noted the keyboardist’s health issues but did not cite the cause of his death.
However, in its March 31 exclusive, TMZ reported that Christopher North’s brother Richard told the outlet that the Ambrosia keyboardist died after battling pneumonia. North was reportedly hospitalized three weeks before his death due to health complications.
The band’s post mentioned that North had battled throat cancer. The musician was reportedly hit by a vehicle in Santa Monica last October, after which he was hospitalized for two months. TMZ claimed that Richard North told the outlet his brother had since been placed under hospital care twice. The cancer battle and the accident reportedly took a toll on North’s body before he died fighting pneumonia.
Ambrosia remembers Christopher North in a tribute post
Ambrosia was formed by David Pack, Joe Puerta, Burleigh Drummond, and Christopher North in 1970 in Los Angeles. The band gave several hits in the ’70s and ’80s. On Monday, the band remembered their mate in a Facebook post.
“Fans of Ambrosia, we honor the legendary life and career of our dearest family member Christopher North, the ‘Hammond B3 King’ whose sonic architecture defined a generation of progressive and soft rock. A founding member since 1970, he was a keyboard wizard who brought an unmatched intensity and emotional depth to every performance… RIP, Brother Chris, forever and ever in our hearts..” the post read.
Ambrosia’s lead vocalist, David Pack, also shared a post in memory of North. Pack said that if someone saw the original band live, they would not be able to take their eyes off North’s “wild and engaging” stage persona. He said that “ferocious” would be an understatement for the late keyboardist, noting that most nights North would bloody his hands on the B3 or break off keys. David Pack further recalled the moment Ambrosia found Christopher North.
“We found him in 1970 performing in South Bay while being delivered to the stage from a ‘coffin’ by engineer Tom Trefethen (stereo speakers inside) and mounting the organ with a fifth of Jack Daniels in hand, shades, total attitude then ripping it up on Hammond B3; and said ‘that’s our man!'” Pack wrote.
David Pack thanked North for contributing to Ambrosia and said, “Goodbye.” He vowed to release the keyboardist’s best work.
According to media reports, Christopher North is survived by his brother Richard, son Reed, and daughter Crystal.
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Edited by Sroban Ghosh