Survivor is a rock band formed in 1978 by Jim Peterik and Frankie Sullivan. Dave Bickler, Gary Smith and Dennis Johnson were temporary members, until they were replaced by Stephan Ellis and Marc Droubay. Peterik was the former lead vocalist in the band Ides of March; he co-wrote the Sammy Hagar song " Heavy Metal".
The group were popular in the 1980s, especially in their native United States, where they charted several hit singles. They are best known for their hit " Eye of the Tiger", the theme song for the motion picture Rocky III in 1982. Sylvester Stallone asked Survivor to write that song. "Eye of the Tiger" stayed at #1 on the Billboard charts for seven weeks, making it their first smash hit. It also topped the British singles charts for a total of six weeks. In Australia, the single reached #1 for four weeks. It won a Grammy Award, an Academy Award nomination, and was voted "Best New Song" by the Peoples Choice Awards. The follow-up single "American Heartbeat" reached the Top 20.
In 1983, Bickler was replaced by Jimi Jamison, writer of the Baywatch theme lyrics and former member of the band Cobra.
Their songs "High On You" , "The Search Is Over", and "Is This Love" reached the Top Ten, bringing more fame in 1985. They also wrote "Burning Heart" as the theme song to Rocky IV in 1985. The song went to #2 on Billboard's Hot 100.
In 1989, Survivor disbanded. They reformed in 1997. Bickler attempted to return to the group, but he and Peterik left soon afterward.
Jimi Jamison and Frankie Sullivan formed a partnership to head up Survivor and Jamison returned to assume lead vocal duties. The band continues to retain their popularity, playing regular concerts in North America, Europe, and Asia. The current lineup is a mix of old and new members: Jimi Jamison on lead vocals, Frankie Sullivan on guitar, and drummer Marc Droubay, and newcomers Chris Grove on guitar/keyboards and Barry Dunaway on bass.