The Life & Death of Survivor's JIMI JAMISON

Summary

Jimmy Jameson, born on August 23, 1951, was a legendary rock vocalist best known for his time with Survivor, delivering iconic hits like 'Eye of the Tiger' and 'Burning Heart.' His musical journey began in the 1960s, and he performed with various bands before joining Survivor in 1984. With his powerful voice, he helped the band achieve massive success in the 1980s. Jimmy also had a notable solo career and collaborated with several artists. He continued to tour until his death in 2014. His legacy lives on through his timeless contributions to rock music.

Takeaways

• 😀 Jimmy Jameson was born on August 23, 1951, in Durant, Mississippi, and raised in Memphis, Tennessee by his mother Dorothy.
• 🎸 His musical journey began at an early age, inspired by rhythm and blues, and he taught himself to play guitar and piano.
• 🎤 Jimmy’s first public performance was playing *Day Tripper* by The Beatles during middle school in the 1960s.
• 🎵 As a teenager, he joined the R&B band The Debuts, which had a hit single in 1968, and toured with famous acts like Roy Orbison and Mitch Ryder.
• 🚀 In the 1970s, Jimmy became part of the southern rock band Target, which released two albums and opened for major acts like Black Sabbath and KISS.
• 🎸 Jimmy joined Cobra in the 1980s and helped release *First Strike*, but the band split in 1984 due to internal differences.
• 🔥 He became the lead vocalist for Survivor in 1984, contributing to hits like *Eye of the Tiger*, *I Can’t Hold Back*, and *The Search Is Over*.
• 💥 *Eye of the Tiger*, released as part of Survivor’s album *Vital Signs*, became a massive hit and an anthem for *Rocky III*.
• 🎬 Jimmy recorded *Burning Heart* for the *Rocky IV* soundtrack, which reached #2 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1986.
• 🎶 Despite some ups and downs in the 1990s, Jimmy continued to record solo material and tour with Survivor, solidifying his legacy in rock music.

Q & A

Where was Jimmy Jameson born, and where did he grow up?

Jimmy Jameson was born in Durant, Mississippi, on August 23, 1951. He was raised in Memphis, Tennessee, from just one day old by his mother, Dorothy.

What was Jimmy Jameson's first public performance?

Jimmy's first public performance was playing *Day Tripper* by The Beatles while attending middle school in Sherwood during the mid-1960s.

What was the name of the first band Jimmy Jameson joined, and what was their first hit?

Jimmy Jameson first joined the band *The Debuts*, and their first hit was the single *If I Cry*, written by Wayne Carson, which was released in 1968.

What was the name of the southern rock band Jimmy formed in the 1970s?

In the 1970s, Jimmy formed the southern rock band *Target*, which gained popularity and released two albums.

What was Jimmy Jameson's role in the band Cobra?

Jimmy Jameson was the lead vocalist of the heavy rock band *Cobra*, which was active in the early 1980s and achieved moderate success.

How did Jimmy Jameson contribute to the success of Survivor?

Jimmy Jameson joined *Survivor* in 1984 and contributed to their major hits, including *High on You* and *I Can't Hold Back*, as well as the iconic theme song *Burning Heart* for *Rocky IV*. His dynamic vocal style and strong presence helped propel the band's popularity.

What were some of the key songs from *Survivor's* *Vital Signs* album?

*Vital Signs* included hit songs such as *High on You*, *I Can't Hold Back*, *The Search Is Over*, and *First Night*. The album reached number 16 on the Billboard chart and was certified platinum.

What was Jimmy Jameson's relationship with Sylvester Stallone and how did it influence his career?

Jimmy Jameson had a close relationship with Sylvester Stallone, who requested *Survivor* to create the hit song *Burning Heart* for the *Rocky IV* soundtrack. This significantly boosted Jimmy’s profile and contributed to the band’s popularity during the mid-1980s.

What was the name of Jimmy Jameson's solo album, and what was its impact?

Jimmy Jameson's solo album, *When Love Comes Down*, was released in 1991. While it didn’t make a significant impact on the charts, some of its tracks were featured on popular TV shows like *Baywatch*.

How did Jimmy Jameson contribute to the *Baywatch* series?

In 1991, Jimmy co-wrote and performed the theme song *I'm Always Here* for *Baywatch*. The song became iconic and remained in use until 2001, solidifying Jimmy’s association with the show.