Morbid Opera

Amazing Grace was an explosive band that hailed from Miami during the peak of the alternative music scene. The Miami New Times ranked AG as one of the top twenty best Florida bands of all time. AG had success with alternative radio airplay, and underground clubs that wore the grooves out on the band's first single, The Day, released on AG's debut album, Entities.

Steve Lambert, former singer of the psycho-rockabilly band Spinout, formed AG when Stack Jones, Steve Lambert, Jorge Respedo and Joey Maya disbanded the group after gigging in N.Y. City at the iconic CBGB's club. Steve returned to Miami, and joined forces with brother Gary on bass, Billy La Volpe on guitar, and Ron Norton on drums.

AG released their debut album Entities, produced by Hal Hansford. The standout tunes are Morbid Opera, The Day, and the blistering anthem, Raw Power. AG toured to support the release. Returning to south Florida, Billy La Volpe left the band. S. Lambert invited Stack Jones to join the band. Jones agreed under the condition the band expanded its punk, and thrash roots, experimenting with psychedelic, hard rock, rock 'n' roll, and alternative styles.

AG popularity grew, and the band returned to the studio with Hal Hansford. Hansford, and Jones’ clashed right from the start. Hansford pushed for a commercial polished production, while Jones wanted to present an ambient, darker, and anthemic sound, reflecting the band's new direction. Notwithstanding, Hansford, and AG made some great music together. The standout collaborations are 14, On And On, Year Of The Child, Dark Clouds, and Congregation Of Contradiction. AG also recorded a version of The Monkees hit song Stepping Stone.

Two-time Grammy winning producer Karl Richardson caught a live show of AG, and began prepping the band for the studio. Richardson had produced some of the world's biggest stars, won producer of the year, album of the year, with 19 number one hits including the Bee Gees, Eric Clapton, Dolly Parton, Average White Band, etc. AG recorded anthemic epics with Richardson including, All The World Is Roses, Deeper Than The Flesh, Don't Walk Away, End Of Time, and Deeper Than The Flesh. AG shot two music videos for their tunes, Fire In The Distance, and 14.

AG was managed by Jamie Shoop, who replaced Dave Smith from Smidek. Shoop discovered, and managed Prince, and Warrant, and introduced AG to Ron Oberman, VP of RCA records. Oberman was quoted as saying, "I'm amazed by Amazing Grace." With offers to go west, and record with RCA, certain members opted to remain in Miami. After five years of extensive live performances, reviews, radio play, live interviews, and TV appearances, Jones moved west to break bread in the new land. Jorge Hernandez joined the band on rhythm guitar, and for a short time, AG became a five piece act.

AG performed shows as a four piece with S. Lambert on vocals, Jorge Hernandez on guitar, G. Lambert on bass, and Norton on drums. The band morphed toward an L.A. hard rock, and bluesy sound influenced by The Doors, Alice Cooper and Quicksilver Messenger Service. Zakk Wylde was asked who his favorite Florida band was, and he responded, "My favorite Florida band would have to be Amazing Grace." Wylde performed lives shows with AG during this third, and final stage.

AG returned to the studio with Hansford. The standout tune is, Sister Silence. After a long run Norton left the band, replaced by Chez Pazienza. AG disbanded a short time thereafter.

In 2009, Stacked Deck Music compiled, and released, Amazing Grace: Risen From The Dead. The album contains all the best AG recordings. As noted in The Miami New Times, AG played an integral part in shaping the south Florida rock scene.

Morbid Opera

Amazing Grace Official