Jim Peterik

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Jim Peterik (born November 11, 1950 Berwyn, Illinois) is an American musician and songwriter. Jim is best known as the co-founder of the band Survivor and as vocalist and songwriter of the hit song "Vehicle" by The Ides of March. He also co-wrote the anthem "Eye of the Tiger," which is the theme from the motion picture Rocky III.

Over the years, Jim has co-written songs for the likes of .38 Special, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Blackhawk, Cheap Trick, Sammy Hagar, Cathy Richardson, Van Zant, Brian Wilson, and R.E.O. Speedwagon. He is currently fronting a new band, Pride of Lions, and has a regular series of yearly concert performances with an all-star cast which are known as World Stage.

1 Ides of March and early years
2 Survivor
3 Later years
4 Following his footsteps
5 Discography
6 Books
7 External links

[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 six weeks at #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 and going double platinum; plus it 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 "High on You" (#8) and "The Search Is Over" (#4), plus another sizable hit in "I Can't Hold Back" (#13).

In 1985, Peterik co-wrote the theme to Rocky IV, "Burning Heart," which would be another big hit (#2 in early 1986) for Survivor, and which was followed by "Is This Love" (#9). Following Survivor's 1988 album Too Hot to Sleep, they disbanded.

Two songs from each of his famous bands appear in a Stallone film (their purpose to motivate the scene's action): Survivor's "Eye of the Tiger" in Rocky III and the Ides of March's "Vehicle" in Lock up.

[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.

Jim performed at the West Australian Music Industry Awards with shred virtuoso Michael Angelo Batio in 2005.

[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.