80s AOR Band Survivor | VOX | Professor of Rock

Featuring exclusive commentary by JIM PETERIK, formerly of Survivor, INTRODUCING A new segment called VOX. Where we celebrate a great vocalist from the rock era. Our inaugural episode features a singer who rocked the 80s.

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Today I'm starting a new segment that we will feature going forward called VOX. Where we celebrate a great vocalist from the rock era. The band Survivor had just come off the phenomenal success of "Eye of the Tiger" that went to #1 in 1982 for 6 weeks. making it one of the biggest rock songs of the decade. From there, Survivor released the song American Heartbeat, which peaked at #17 while the actual Eye of the Tiger album went to #2. It was a rough go from there. The band would release another album with lead singer Bickler,

Jimi came in and the band immediately coalesced releasing the Karate Kid song the Moment of Truth which fared better than any of their recent singles and then came the classic album Vital Signs. In the near future we will be doing a segment on the Survivor album Vital Signs going track by track and telling the story of each song, but. Then Sylvester Stallone asked the band to write the lead song for Rocky IV.

He really had it all, the voice, the chiseled good looks, the fire and the passion. He was kind of the mold for the 80s rock and pop star. Although It's his voice that stands above it all. What made his voice so spectacular so dazzling was the yearning. With that here is my Jimi Jamison 5er, My top five Jim recorded performances:

#5 I'm always here, . Jimmi wrote the lyrics to this and I always appreciated the sprawling vocal on this. Let's be honest the opening credits to Baywatch were always a must see for may of us 90s kids but the song has become very meaningful since Jimi Jamison's death in 2014, The lyrics: In us we all have the power, Sometimes it is so hard to see, that instinct is stronger than reason, It's just human nature to me,I'll be ready Don't you fear, forever and always, I'm always here. These words are etched on his headstone. Deeply beautiful poetry from Mr. Jamison for sure.

#4 High On You. This #8 hit from Survivor's platinum album Vital Signs is a classic rock and pop fixture on radio across the world. With it's awesome 80s production, guitar and synth drenched, and a flawless pre chorus that shoots listeners off into a typical Jamison hook laden Chorus that when you heard it as a youth was permanently tattooed on our brains, One of those songs you could sing along too at first listen and decades later.

#3 the Search Is Over This Top 5 Hot 100 and #1 ac hit gave any 80s AOR ballad from Journey, Bryan Adams or Heart a run for it's money. The Way Jimi sings this is pure ecstasy. He is so sincere and that incomparable yearning in his voice that I talked about earlier is perfectly showcased here. When he gets to the bridge it's hair standing straight on your neck rapture, when he sings every highway brings me back to you, it's heart stopping. I sang it every time. That was us 80s kids equals to Frankly Dear I don't give a damn

#2 Burning heart: Jimi's biggest hit as the lead singer for Survivor, this song, the theme to Rocky IV was in a league of it's own. To our young minds, It was one of the main songs that put the Cold War in perspective: Two worlds collide Rival nations It's a primitive clash Venting years of frustrations. I know I speak for many of you watching, this song was a fixture as was the movie Rocky IV. It's almost like the 80s defined:in less than two hours for the movie and less than four minutes for the song.
#1 I Can't Hold Back. How this song only went to #13 is a travesty. This song is beyond phenomenal. I've heard it a thousand times and I can tell you that it has had different meanings to me in just about every phase of my life.

When it all comes together at that last chorus, it's as mind numbingly robust as a pop song has any business being. It's just so much passion and ambitious that defines Jimi Jamison as one of the most electrifying voices of 80s rock.

All of these songs are ready to be played below just click on the link in the description also leave us a comment about Surviror and Jim what is your fiver, What are some other vocalists we should feature here.

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