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Iconic rock band SURVIVOR at Voyageur Days

Voyageur Days in Mattawa starts Thursday, and the band Survivor is making an appearance. See the Voyageur Days website here: http://www.voyageurdays.com/ The band will play starting at 7:30 on Saturday.

Voyageur Days in Mattawa starts Thursday, and the band Survivor is making an appearance.

See the Voyageur Days website here: http://www.voyageurdays.com/

The band will play starting at 7:30 on Saturday.

Survivor was formed in the cold Chicago winter of 1977 by Frankie Sullivan and Jim Peterik and signed to a record deal with Scotti Bros. Records the following year. The artistic success of their first album, the self-titled “Survivor,” including the single “Somewhere in America,” did moderately well and started to build a loyal base of fans.

Their breakout came in 1982 when Sylvester Stallone invited them to write and perform the title song for “Rocky III.” This was the now-classic “Eye of the Tiger,” and brought the band national attention. “Eye of The Tiger” spent seven weeks at the #1 spot on the U.S. charts. The song won a Grammy, an Oscar nomination and was voted ‘Best New Song” by the People’s Choice Awards.

Throughout the 1980s, Survivor continued to release chart topping hits including “Caught in the Game” which received critical acclaim and AOR airplay. In 1984, original vocalist Dave Bickler, decided to leave the band and was replaced by Jimi Jamison. Their next album, “Vital Signs” achieved multi-platinum status with a string of hit singles that kept the band on the charts for over 40 weeks in 1984 and ’85 with Billboard Top 20 hits; “I Can’t Hold Back”, “High on You” and “The Search is Over” that kept Survivor at the top of the record and concert business.

Shortly after the release of what many fans consider to be their best album, “Too Hot To Sleep,” the group decided to pursue various solo projects. Frankie continued in the studio writing and recording with many different artists, including a collaboration with Eddie Money for the 1999 release, “Ready Eddie”, which Frankie produced as well as wrote and performed. Jimi, while touring and recording with his own band, was tapped to sing the theme song “I’m Always Here” for the hit TV show “Baywatch”.

In November 2011, Jimi Jamison rejoined Survivor, after leaving the band in 2006 to focus on his solo career.

Survivor – Jimi Jamison (vocals), Frankie Sullivan (guitar), Billy Ozzello (bass) and Walter Tolentino (keyboards/guitar) – are looking forward to this new chapter in their career.

“It feels great to be back with Frankie and the band, singing the songs that the fans love,” says Jamison.

Frankie Sullivan adds, “I’m excited to have Jimi back up front singing the hits, and giving the fans what they want.”