Jimi Jamison

Jimi Jamison, the vocalist, maintained long-term connections to several groups, most notably Survivor and Cobra. Originating from Mississippi, his career began in the 1970s as part of Target. The band issued two albums on A&M and supported Black Sabbath, Boston, and Kiss on the road. Early the next decade he spent time in Cobra, which yielded one album for Epic Records. Auditioning in Chicago brought him into Survivor in 1984, after the group had already scored its breakthrough with “Eye of the Tiger.” His years with the band produced five Top Ten singles, numerous film-soundtrack appearances, and several gold and platinum releases. Vital Signs was the first album to feature his voice, and three singles from that era—“Can’t Hold Back,” “The Search Is Over,” and “High on You”—all reached the Top 20. “Burning Heart,” written for the 1985 Rocky sequel, peaked at number two on the pop chart. “Is This Love” also entered the Top Ten before Survivor disbanded, leaving Jamison to work independently beginning in 1987. He assembled his own band and issued solo albums, starting with When Love Comes Down in 1991 and followed by Empires in 1999. Viewers of Baywatch know his voice from the theme song he wrote, “I’m Always Here.” He also appeared on several television programs and in half a dozen music videos. Additional session work placed his backing vocals behind the Jeff Healey Band, Krokus, and ZZ Top. He helped found Voices of Classic Rock and supported Tony La Russa’s ARF, the Make-A-Wish Foundation, the Special Olympics, and St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital. In 2000 he rejoined other Survivor members for a reunion that included tours with Styx and REO Speedwagon plus a month of concerts in Germany. His own touring ensemble during the hiatus featured Lance Binder, Pete Mendillo, Klay Shroedel, Paul Brown, Hal Butler, Jeff Adams, and Chris Adamson. Crossroads Moment arrived as a solo album in 2008. Two years later he collaborated with Jim Peterik, the writer of many Survivor hits, on Extra Moments. Jimi Jamison died suddenly in September 2014 from a heart attack.