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Donald's Encyclopedia of Popular MusicA B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y ZSURVIVORUSA AOR band formed '78, Chicago: Jim Peterik (keyboards, guitar), Frankie Sullivan (lead guitar): Peterik, from Ides of March (whose "Vehicle' was no. 2 '70) had done solo Don't Fight That Feeling '76; Sullivan from local group Mariah. With vocalist David Mickler and a rhythm section they signed to Scotti Brothers label for eponymous LP debut '79; Premonition '81 was more heavy-metal oriented, yielding top 40 single "Poor Man's Son'; actor/dir. Sylvester Stallone sent them the first 10 minutes of Rocky III and their response was "Eye Of The Tiger', a USA/UK no. 1, title track of their next LP, the biggest selling single of '82: topped charts in half a dozen other countries and won Grammy for best rock vocal. Follow-up "American Heartbeat' made only top 20 USA but was title track of compilation LP and theme of USA football programme on UK TV. After Caught In The Game '83, Mickler had voice problems due to heavy touring and was replaced by Jimi Jamison, who inspired the band on Vital Signs '84, incl. hit "I Can't Hold Back', prod. (like the first LP) by Ron Nevison, with Jefferson Starship singer Mickey Thomas and keyboardist Peter Wolf sitting in. Tried film music again with "The Moment Of Truth' from The Karate Kid '84, but "Burning Heart' (an "Eye Of The Tiger' soundalike for Rocky IV) put them back in USA/UK charts. Peterick/ Sullivan also wrote "Rockin' Into The Night' for '38 Special, title song for film Heavy Metal. Album When Seconds Count '86. was still in top 50, but Too Hot To Sleep '88 barely made the top 200. |