Jim Peterik
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Jim Peterik (born November 11, 1950) is an American musician and songwriter, best known as the keyboard player of the band Survivor.
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[edit] Ides of March and early years
Peterik started performing in 1964 with some of his schoolmates in Berwyn, Illinois as The Ides of March created by Larry Milas, "after learning about it in history class," Milas stated. Their hits included "Vehicle," "You Wouldn't Listen" and "L.A. Goodbye" throughout the late 1960s and early 1970s.
In the early 1970s Peterik wrote several songs which were recorded by the jazz-rock band Chase.
In 1976, he released a solo album, Don't Fight The Feeling, and toured with several of the era's most popular bands, including Heart and Boston.
[edit] Survivor
Peterik formed his most successful band, Survivor, in 1978.
In the early years of Survivor, Peterik continued to co-write hits for other artists, including 38 Special. In 1982, Sylvester Stallone commissioned Survivor to write and perform the theme song for his movie, Rocky III. This song, "Eye of the Tiger," would end up becoming their defining single, spending 7 weeks at #1 on the Billboard Hot 100, and won them a Grammy Award and a nomination at the Academy Awards. This was followed by their 1984 album Vital Signs, which featured the top 10 hits "I Can't Hold Back," "High On You" and "The Search Is Over."
In 1985, Peterik co-wrote the theme to Rocky IV, "Burning Heart," which would be another hit for Survivor, and was followed by "Is This Love." Following Survivor's 1988 album Too Hot To Sleep, they disbanded.
[edit] Later years
In 1990, all the original members of the Ides of March reunited, and continue to perform. Peterik continues to write for other artists such as the Doobie Brothers and Cheap Trick, as well as briefly reuniting with Survivor for another tour. His song "Vehicle" found new popularity when it was performed by American Idol runner-up Bo Bice in 2005.
In 2003, he founded Pride Of Lions with Toby Hitchcock. Peterik continues to play with the Ides of March as of 2006. His latest solo CD, Above The Storm, is released in 2006.
[edit] Following his footsteps
Jim Peterik's son, Colin Peterik, is lead singer and keyboardist in the Chicago-based, progressive rock band, Lobster Newberg. Lobster Newberg's members attend Lyons Township High School and have just released their debut full length album, Vernal Equinox.
[edit] Discography
[edit] Solo
- Don't Fight The Feeling (1976)
- Above The Storm (2006)
[edit] With Survivor
- Survivor (1979)
- Eye of the Tiger (1982)
- Caught in the Game (1983)
[edit] With Kelly Keagy
- Time Passes (2001)
[edit] With Pride Of Lions
- Pride Of Lions (2003)
- The Destiny Stone (2004)
- Live In Belgium (2006)
- The Roaring Of Dreams (2007)
