Boomer faves Three Dog Night, Ambrosia and John Ford Coley will team up for a 7 p.m. Thursday show in the Amarillo Civic Center Complex Auditorium, 401 S. Buchanan St.
But, to paraphrase one of Ambrosia’s biggest hits, they took away the biggest parts of some of the bands.
As is increasingly common with still-touring bands who got their starts in the 1970s or even earlier, new members are filling in gaps for the original stars, who’ve retired or died since the acts’ heydays. Three Dog Night is down to one original Dog, vocalist Danny Hutton; Ambrosia still tours with three founders—bassist and vocalist Joe Puerta, drummer Burleigh Drummond and keyboardist Christopher North.
Vulture recently ran a thoughtful article, “When Is a Band Not the Same Band Anymore?,” about that very subject.
“It’s a question, however philosophical, that many fans are being challenged with in 2026: At what point does a band cease to exist and become something else entirely?,” writes Devon Ivie.
Prominent engineer and producer Ron Nevison doesn’t mince words: “This should be about the songs and music, not about the members. The songs transcend them all.”
I think I agree, at least when done right. Tribute acts have their place but are only ever (at best) passionate fans playacting like their heroes. (That’s not really a dig; a good tribute band can be a lot of fun and a lot more affordable to see.) But an officially licensed continuation of the band is different, especially when the new members work closely with their forefathers to carefully capture the band’s sound. When I saw the band Chicago here in 2018, only a handful of original members remained in the sprawling lineup, yet I’d still count it among the best rock shows I’ve ever seen at the Civic Center.
Tickets are $52 to $193, plus service charges. Call 806-378-3096.
This week’s other can’t-miss options:
Jordan World Circus: 6:30 p.m. Tuesday; Amarillo National Center on the Tri-State Fairgrounds, 3301 S.E. 10th Ave.; tickets $20 adults, $10 children; 806-376-7767
Mormon Mincers: 7:30 p.m. Wednesday; Atomic Yellow, 3701 Plains Blvd.; cover $10; atomicyellowict@gmail.com
Jersey Boys: 7:30 p.m. Thursday to Saturday and 2:30 p.m. Sunday; Amarillo Little Theatre Allen Shankles Mainstage, 2019 Civic Circle; ticket prices vary; 806-355-9991
Evening at AMoA: 6:30 p.m. Friday; Amarillo Museum of Art, 2200 S. Van Buren St.; free for members, $15 for nonmembers; 806-371-5050
Black Tie Revolt: 7 p.m. Friday; with openers The Western Ether. Wear all black for admittance. Stoex Design Gallery, 723 S. Georgia St.
Amarillo Wranglers vs. New Mexico Ice Wolves: 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday; Amarillo Civic Center Complex Coliseum, 401 S. Buchanan St.; tickets $21 to $32; 806-242-4233
Stew!: 7 p.m. Friday; Atomic Yellow, 3701 Plains Blvd.; cover $10; atomicyellowict@gmail.com
Harrington String Quartet: 7:30 p.m. Friday; Amarillo Botanical Gardens, 1400 Streit Drive; tickets $20; 806-651-2840
David Lewis: 9 p.m. Friday; Golden Light Cantina, 2906 S.W. Sixth Ave.; cover; 806-374-9237
Logan Ellis & The Fever Dream: 9 p.m. Friday; Hoots Pub, 2424 Hobbs Road; cover
The Tanner Lane Band: 9 p.m. Friday; Western Horseman, 2501 E. Interstate 40; 806-379-6555, Ext. 2999
Loaded Six: 8 p.m. Saturday; Old Tascosa Taproom and Brewery, 3100 S.W. Sixth Ave.; 806-681-4050
The Roman Carbajal Band: 9 p.m. Saturday; Western Horseman Club, 2501 E. Interstate 40; 806-379-6555, Ext. 2999
Vandoliers: 9 p.m. Saturday; Golden Light Cantina, 2906 S.W. Sixth Ave.; cover; 806-374-9237
Alma Russ: 6 p.m. Sunday; Stoex Design Gallery, 723 S. Georgia St.
WT Symphonic Band: 7:30 p.m. Sunday; Mary Moody Northen Recital Hall; free; 806-6511-2840
Movie options:
Opening Thursday: Comedic thriller How to Make a Killing, faith-based biopic I Can Only Imagine 2 and horror flick Psycho Killer (Cinemark Hollywood 16, 9100 Canyon Drive, and Cinergy, 9201 Cinergy Square)
Special engagements: Biblical fantasy The Apocalypse of St. John (Tuesday, Hollywood 16); concert film Chase Atlantic: Lost in Heaven (Wednesday and Saturday, Hollywood 16); horror franchise kickstarter Final Destination (Friday and Monday, Hollywood 16); mid-’90s horror flick I Saw What You Did Last Summer (Saturday and Feb. 24, Hollywood 16); goth-girl fave The Craft (Sunday and Feb. 25, Hollywood 16); girl-power delight Barbie (Friday and Saturday, Cinergy)
