Wolfgang Ambros

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.

Early life Ambros was born in the Semmelweis Women's Clinic in Vienna and spent his early years in Wolfsgraben, Lower Austria. His father was head of the primary school there, his mother worked as a teacher. Later, the family moved to Preßbaum. Ambros attended the Bundeskonvikt in Vienna's 2nd district and the Astgasse Grammar School in Vienna's 14th district. He later trained as a screen printer at the Graphische Lehr- und Versuchsanstalt (training discontinued). He first worked as a typewriter mechanic, display arranger and as a records salesman in Vienna and for a year in London.

Career 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 of songs, recorded with Christian Kolonovits.

Discography

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) 1979: Nie und nimmer 1980: Weiß wie Schnee 1981: Selbstbewusst 1983: Der letzte Tanz 1984: Der Sinn des Lebens 1985: No. 13 1987: Gewitter 1989: Mann und Frau 1990: Stille Glut 1992: Äquator 1994: Wasserfall 1996: Verwahrlost aber frei 1999: Voom Voom Vanilla Camera 2000: Nach mir die Sintflut – Ambros singt Waits 2003: Namenlos 2005: Der alte Sünder – Ambros singt Moser (songs by Hans Moser – sung by W. Ambros with the Ambassade Orchester Wien) 2006: Steh Grod 2007: Ambros singt Moser – Die 2te (songs by Hans Moser – sung by W. Ambros with the Ambassade Orchester Wien) 2009: Wolfgang Ambros Ultimativ Symphonisch (sung by W. Ambros with the Ambassade Orchester Wien) 2012: 19 03 52

Live albums 1979: Live ...auf ana langen finstern Strassn (2 LPs) 1983: Open Air (with Rainhard Fendrich) 1986: Selected Live (2 CDs) 1987: Gala Concert 1991: Watzmann Live (2 CDs with 25 Tracks; Re-Release, 2005, 2 CDs with 40 Tracks) 1997: Verwahrlost aber Live 2002: Hoffnungslos Selbstbewusst 2007: Ambros Pur! (Duo Konzert mit G. Dzikowski – Live aus der Kulisse/Wien (DVD)

Plays 1973: Fäustling 1974: Der Watzmann ruft 1978: Schaffnerlos (Die letzte Fahrt des Schaffners Fritz Knottek) 1981: Augustin (Eine Geschichte aus Wien)

Singles 1971: Da Hofa / I bin allan 1972: Kagran / Wo ist da Peppe 1973: Tagwache / Herr Vampir 1973: I drah zua / Dei Foto 1974: A Mensch mecht i bleib´n / I steh auf a Alte 1975: Zwickt's mi / Aufzogn mit´n Rum 1975: Gö da schaust / Wüst oda wüst ned 1976: Baba und foi ned / UFO 1976: Hoit da is a Spoit / Warum host des g´mocht 1976: Schifoan / Mochtwurt 1977: Die Blume aus dem Gemeindebau / Denk amoi 1979: Nie und nimmer / De No.1 vom Wienerwald 1981: Frage der Zeit / Lokalverbot 1983: Sei ned bled / Immer vü Zeit 1983: Für immer jung (with André Heller) / Hand in Hand 1984: S Naserl / Heit bin i wieder fett wie ein Radierer (with Rainhard Fendrich) 1985: Kumm ma mit kane Ausreden mehr (with André Heller) / I werd des nie verstehn 1985: Geplante Zukunft (Live) / Wie a Adler 1985: Warum? (Project Austria für Afrika) / Warum 1986: Langsam wachs ma zamm / Schwesternlied 1986: Mamma / Alarm 1987: Du und i (with Friedrich Gulda) 1987: Gewitter / Mein seltsamer Beruf 1987: V.I.P. / Wir, die denken 1987: I bins ned / Des Sandlers Flucht 1988: Rukuruku Bay / The Ruku Pump Up 8 kHz Mix 1989: Idealgewicht / A junger Mensch von heute 1989: Erste große Liebe / Noch immer 1989: Zwickts mi 2000 / Soul Sister 1990: Langsam wochs ma zamm / Die Blume aus dem Gemeindebau 1991: Abwärts und bergauf / Lied der Knechte 1992: Die Gailtalerin / Er fallt 1992: Der Himmel soll noch warten / Kanakenzerhaken 1992: Ich bin bei dir (with Joni Madden) / A so a Nocht 1992: Bleib bei mir / Der Himmel soll noch warten 1992: Richtung Süden / Bleib bei mir 1993: Das Duell (with Alexander Bisenz / Wididdaprettabuu 1994: I denk an di / Einsamkeit 1994: Alt und Jung / Einsamkeit 1995: Der bessere gewinnt! / Du verstehst mi ned 1996: Verwahrlost aber frei / Recht und Gnade 1996: Für immer jung (live) / Für immer jung 1997: Open House (Da Hofa / Schifoan / Tagwache / Zentralfriedhof) 1999: Herz aus Gold / A langer Weg 1999: Ich lieb Dich überhaupt nicht mehr / A Meinung 2001: Weihnachten wie immer / Frieden für an Moment