Eric Ambel

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Eric Ambel, also known as Eric “Roscoe” Ambel, is an American guitarist and record producer born on August 20, 1957, in Kankakee, Illinois. He works in Americana, folk rock, rock, and alt-country and has played with many artists, including Nils Lofgren, Steve Earle, The Yayhoos, Del Lords, The Bottle Rockets, Joan Jett, Mojo Nixon, Blood Oranges, Blue Mountain, Freedy Johnston, and Mary Lee’s Corvette.

As a kid, Ambel learned piano and trumpet, then picked up the guitar around age ten. He played trumpet and guitar in college at the University of Wyoming. In the late 1970s he formed the punk group the Dirty Dogs, which became the Accelerators in Los Angeles. The Accelerators released an EP, It’s Cool To Rock, and Ambel played with Rik L Rik and Top Jimmy before spending two years as lead guitarist for Joan Jett’s Blackhearts, touring and playing on I Love Rock ’n’ Roll.

Ambel then co-founded the Del-Lords in New York with Scott Kempner and Frank Funaro. The band released four studio albums and helped spark the 1980s roots-rock scene.

Beyond performing, Ambel built a reputation as a producer, bandleader, and studio owner. He opened the Lakeside Lounge bar in the East Village in 1996 and started Lakeside Lounge Records to release his work, including his solo album Knucklehead. He also launched Cowboy Technical Services, a recording studio in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, in 1999.

In 2000 he became the lead guitarist in Steve Earle’s Dukes, contributing to Jerusalem and other projects, and performing on tours and recordings through 2005. The Lakeside Lounge label released the Yayhoos’ Put The Hammer Down in 2006, and their song “Baby I Love You” was used in the film Slither. Ambel produced records for several artists, including The Bottle Rockets’ Lean Forward (2009).

Ambel has continued making music and running projects from his studio, Lily’s Terrace, and performing with various groups such as the Roscoe Trio. He has worked with artists like Chris Barron, Ben Hall, and the Tallboys of Kentucky, and the Del-Lords released Elvis Club in 2013 after reuniting. He remains active as a guitarist, producer, and owner-run music businesses.