Survivor Biography

Survivor's original members, including Dave Bickler, Dennis Johnson, Frankie Sullivan, Gary Smith, and Jim Peterik, formed in Chicago in 1977. By 1978, they'd been signed to a major record label.

Their first album, Survivor, was released in 1980 and charted well, helping them to build a fan base. The single "Somewhere in America" was the largest success off the album. Premonition followed, and with the hits "Summer Nights," and "Poor Man's Son," was a bigger hit.

But it would be 1982's Eye of the Tiger that would rocket Survivor to success. With the title song written specifically for Rocky III, the single became synonymous with both the character and the film series, bringing Survivor into households around the world.

The single "Eye of the Tiger" spent seven weeks on the charts at number one, and garnered Survivor an Oscar nomination and Grammy. For the months that followed, Survivor toured extensively, increasing their fan base even further.

Caught in the Game followed in 1983, and the title track also became a hit single.

At the same time, though, Dave Bickler left Survivor and was replaced by Jim Jamison. Their fifth album, Vital Signs, was released in 1984 and launched the hit "Can't Hold Back." "High on You" followed, and then "The Search is Over" after that, reaching number two on the charts.

"Burning Heart" was recorded for the next film in the Rocky franchise, Rocky IV, going all the way to number two on the charts and sending the soundtrack album to multi-platinum status.

When Seconds Count, with the single "Is This Love," came next, in 1987, and in 1988, Too Hot to Sleep followed. A Greatest Hits album followed in 1989, and a second version of it in 1993.

In 2006, Survivor released Reach, filled with new material and some re-recordings of songs from previous sessions.

As of 2011, the Survivor lineup consists of Walter Tolentino on guitar and keyboards, Billy Ozzello on bass, Jimi Jamison on vocals, Frankie Sullivan on guitar, and Marc Droubay on drums. Survivor continues to work on new material, record, perform, and tour.