Jimi Jamison, former lead singer of Survivor, passes away at 63

[Aragorn]

L.A. Times article:

Jimi Jamison, the former lead singer for the rock bands Cobra and Survivor, died Sunday, his booking agent Sally Irwin confirmed to the Los Angeles Times.


Jamison died of a heart attack at his home in Memphis, Tenn., Irwin said. He was 63.


Jamison was the lead singer for Survivor from the mid-to-late 1980s, creating such hits as "Burning Heart" from "Rocky IV" and "The Moment of Truth" from "The Karate Kid."


Jamison joined the group at the height of its popularity -- the band having just released "Eye of the Tiger" from "Rocky III" -- after former lead singer David Bickler left the group because of voice issues.


In a 1985 interview with The Times, Jamison said that following such a monster hit wasn't easy.


"After 'Eye of the Tiger,' the fans wanted an album full of songs like 'Eye of the Tiger,' " said Jamison, who was not with the band when its second album, "Caught in the Game," was released in 1983 to little success. "An average or a good album wouldn't be enough. The band needed a great album and some huge hit singles. But it didn't happen."

Survivor may have been best known for the Dave Bickler era and "Eye of the Tiger," but Jimi Jamison gave them "I Can't Hold Back," "High on You," "Is This Love" and "The Search is Over."

[yt]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fxhueyC70cU[/yt]

Their music being in Rocky III, Rocky IV and The Karate Kid left an obvious impression, but so did a cover of one of their songs on "Kids Incorporated."

[yt]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FMTGCVziHgc[/yt]

 

[Captaindemotion]

Apparently he also sang the lead song to Baywatch.

 

[Kirby]

I love Survivor. Despite what was considered 'cool' in High School I wore out my cassette tape of Vital Signs, and saw them in concert for the When Seconds Count tour in 1987.
Later on, after Survivor had broken up I saw Jimi Jamison's version of the band twice at a much smaller venue. He was such a great singer and a lot of energy. With his own version of the band he did a great Jim Morrison impression on a couple of Doors songs.
RIP Jimi, you entertained many, and you will be missed.

 

[Ar-Pharazon]

Such a shame. I'm in such a different place musically now, but I listened to Survivor a ton in the 80's. AOR pop sure, but really catchy AOR pop.

Jimi & Steve Perry, 2 of the greatest voices of that decade.

 

[Drekstar]

My favorite song from this band:
[yt]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A0sjeB6Iovk[/yt]

 

[Ar-Pharazon]

^ That is a really good, and underrated, song of theirs. That album gets overlooked quite a bit.

Jimi and the band still at their best IMO.

 

[Mr. Laser Beam]

^ Too Hot To Sleep was a great album. May be my favorite they've done. (And it's a concept album as well - tells the complete story of a relationship, beginning to end.)