Ampage co-founder and drummer Michael Kroeger passed away from leukemia just months after finishing the drum and backing vocal tracks for this album. The announcement was made by the band’s co-founder and longtime frontman Mark Mason, who began playing music with Kroeger when the two were classmates at Fountain Valley High School in Orange County, CA. they launched Ampage in Huntington Beach, CA in 1979. Though the band experienced numerous lineup changes over the past few decades, including previous band mates Earl Slick (Bowie, Lennon), and Def Leppard drummer Rick Allen. Kroeger’s trademark intensity and consummate timekeeping skills was a near-constant through a storied independent discography that resulted in numerous chart successes, 5 movies including a hit song for the #1 Disney movie and trailer “Brink” and multiple world tours, Mason has designated all monies earned from Ampage’s upcoming new album ''Bridge of Souls'' produced by Duane Baron (Ozzie, Cheap Trick, Heart) – which features Kroeger’s last recorded performances – to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society in the drummer’s name. The new album will be available worldwide via vinyl, CD and download in the spring of 2016. On December 5, 2015, the band revealed that Kroeger, who lived in Portland, OR and was in the process of moving to Point Arena Calif. to be closer to the band, had been diagnosed with leukemia. He was hospitalized and fighting for his life in his home state of Indiana to be near his family, where he was undergoing a very aggressive treatment of chemotherapy and a possible bone marrow transplant. Michael passed away on January 31st ,2016. In a phone conversation that Mason had with Kroeger a few weeks before his passing, the singer was pleased to hear that the drummer was not afraid or in pain. “He wanted me to push the new album from my side and he said he would push it from his''. Even on his death bed he could make me laugh said Mason. We both reminisced about how two kids from Orange County got a chance to live their dream. His last words to me were, “Rock on, Mark!” California based hard rockers Ampage, who's successful professional career spans from the mid 1980's until present, cordially invite you to join in the celebration, along with a vast number of dedicated longtime and new fans, on their soon to be launched 2016-17 USA tour, which is currently in the works to promote the release of their upcoming brand new CD and vinyl record, "Bridge of Souls". Like most great bands remaining successful for multiple decades, (which is no easy feat amongst the vast competition of both legendary performers and the many hot up and coming acts in the music industry), Ampage has undergone over the years several band personnel changes, (which can ultimately make or break any band,) but Ampage has remained strong and dedicated throughout those changes, to spite all the 'bumps' in road of a touring hard rock band, to bringing to their fans nothing less than high quality, high caliber, and incredibly dynamic rock performances both live on stage and in the studio; as reflected on their previously released albums, which can be attested to by their multitudes of fans worldwide. The personnel changes that Ampage has experienced and undergone over the years, (which can prove deadly for some bands), some of which include the switch of lead guitarist Mark Englert, (of Dramarama), who joined Ampage in 2001, replacing guitar legend Earl Slick (of David Bowie and John Lennon fame,) and Loren Molinare (of Little Caesar). Original drummer Michael Kroeger who rejoined Ampage replacing Rick Allen (Def Leppard), actually serve as an asset on the Ampage Greatest Hits 2007 CD, "Future Days Gone by" as it provides extra thrill factor and star attraction for fans, as fans can enjoy the best performances of ALL of the great performers who have contributed to the great sound of Ampage during their time performing with this outstanding band; plus all the powerful prowess of the Ampage's current line up, all on this one hard driving CD release. Changes over the years to the line up of Ampage have been aplenty, so fans can expect to be thoroughly well rocked on Ampage's CD, "Future Days Gone By", by such prolific performers as Gary Busey... Yeah, that Gary Busey! Highly acclaimed actor in such movies as The Buddy Holly Story, Gary Busey, who makes a guest appearance on the beginning of the CD's song "D Day", in the preacher's monologue. Busey's performances with the band Ampage, featured on Ampage's 2001 released CD "Falling Higher," as well as on Ampage's last CD, "Future Days Gone By". ...Some of the other stellar and/or legendary performers which performed with Ampage and can be heard on both their previous releases as well as featured on "Future Days Gone By" include such great performers as: Rick Allen of Def Leppard, Michael Monarch of Stepenwolf, Earl Slick of Bowie and John Lennon, John Easedale of Dramarama, John Taylor of Duran Duran, actor/musician Jeff Conaway of Taxi, and Grease as well as other outstanding musicians who have contributed to the great sound of Ampage over the years. Incidentally, Jeff Conaway was the producer of all of the MTV videos for Ampage in the 1990's. Besides all the great past performers of the band which have taken their place in music history with the band Ampage, Ampage's current line up proves equally as impressive and talented in both the studio and on stage. Ampage's current stellar line up consists of: Mark Mason- Lead Vocals / Songwriter and Guitarist: Founding force of the band, Mason is also a prolific songwriter with many credits ranging from 7 albums, to 9 major movies, such as: "I'm Dangerous Tonight" in 1990, "Bikini Summer II" in 1992, in which Jeff Conaway also starred and directed along with on screen performances by Mark Mason and Ampage. Mark's songwriting talent was featured also in the in the 1994 NBC Movie of the Week Robin Cook's "Mortal Fear". In 1999, Mark Mason along with Rick Allen, (world renown drummer for Def Leppard), wrote and recorded the theme song for the Disney Movie and movie trailer "Brink". To add to Mark's impressive list of professional credits, he is also recognized for his work collaborating with other musical greats as Tommy Shaw of the legendary rock band Styx, and with songwriter Wes Arkin of Guns & Roses fame, to name just a few Mark's many credits throughout his illustrious long term professional career as a songwriter and musical performer. The remarkable versatility, total pro creative adaptability and high quality of Mark's style of songwriting and vocal and musicianship, has earned Mark wide recognition amongst many of the music and movie industry's elite as being a "musician's musician". Mark Pearce Lead Guitar and Vocals- Mark Pierce Joined Ampage in 2013 taking over as lead guitarist and vocals for the band. Mark's a well seasoned veteran musician / songwriter with more than enough experience to know what it takes to deliver to any audiences a show they won't soon forget. Bill Stokem Bass - Bill Stokem joined Ampage in 2013 to take over on bass freeing up Lead Singer Mark Mason to continue as singer and now 2nd guitarist for the band . Bill is an amazing bassist and great vocals who studied at MIT (Musician Institute of Technology) in Hollywood during the mid 1980's. Bill has performed and recorded over the years in such bands as Anti-Social, Flembile, Pus Bucket later known as Bloody Pus Bucket and the Blue Meanies. Bill is a great Bass player that adds just the right amount of edginess to Ampage. Michael Kroeger Drums - Another of the original founding forces of Ampage, Michael Kroeger is back with the band, (after being filled in for by Rick Allen of Def Leppard), and is a lead footed force to be reckoned with on drums. Michael's thunderous capabilities on drums can heard on Ampage's second album, "Iron Horse" which was released in 1997. Kroeger brings his (greased) lightening to the stage, and can be experienced by fans in Ampage's electrifying live performances. Michael was unaware of illness during the recording of this album. He felt tired after each day in the studio but thought he was just out of shape. You would've never known it the way he was killing it on the drums. After he finished his tracks, backing vocals and photo shoot for the album cover Michael went to see his doctor who informed him he had Leukemia. He then flew back to Indiana to be close to his family and undergo a very aggressive treatment. Michael passed away on January 31, 2016. www.ampage.com