Lead Singer of Survivor Dies

Jimi Jamison, lead singer of the band “Survivor” died Sunday night of an apparent heart attack at the age of 63.   Jamison joined the band in 1984, just after “Eye of the Tiger” became a big hit off the 1982 “Rocky III” movie soundtrack.   Jamison replaced the group’s lead singer David Bickler after he had to leave the band due to vocal cord problems.

Jamison and Survivor went on to have success with other hit songs in the mid-80s including “Burning Heart”, “The Search Is Over”, “High On You”, “Is This Love” and “I Can’t Hold Back”.   During the height of their success, the band headlined a concert at the Mayo Civic Center in 1987.  They were also part of the Down By The Riverside free concert series in 2009.

The band broke up in 1989 but Jamison continued to tour under the name Jimi Jamison’s Survivor.  The original Survivor reunited in the mid-90s with Bickler back as lead singer.   In essence there were two bands both using the name Survivor and after numerous lawsuits, the two sides settled their differences and re-formed as one band with both Bickler and Jamison as co-lead singers.

The band last performed together Saturday night in Morgan Hill, California.  Jamison died at his home in Memphis, Tennessee Sunday night.

The band posted the following message on its Facebook page:  “The entire Survivor family is shocked and saddened by the passing of our brother Jimi Jamison.  Our thoughts, love and prayers go out to his family and friends.”