Frank Michael Sullivan III (born 1 February 1955) is an American musician, singer and songwriter. Best known for being a founding member of the band Survivor,[1] he has been the only permanent fixture in its lineup since the band's 1977 inception.[2]
Frankie Sullivan | |
|---|---|
 Frankie Sullivan (right) with Jimi Jamison at the Sweden Rock Festival in 2013 | |
| Background information | |
| Birth name | Frank Michael Sullivan III |
| Born | 1 February 1955 Chicago, Illinois, United States |
| Occupation(s) | Musician, singer, songwriter |
| Years active | 1976–present |
| Website | frankiesullivan |
Early life
According to pianist and keyboardist Jimmy Tranchitella of Northlake, Illinois, Sullivan's musical career began in his early teens. He enjoyed sports and started running when he was 17: he became a lifelong runner[3]
One of his heroes in Mohamed Ali, and he has a framed autograph from the boxer hanging in his home.[3]
Career
In 1976 he was a member of the Chicago based hard rock band Mariah.[4]
In 1978 Sullivan partnered with Jim Peterik and the two became a very successful songwriting team. Sullivan's first hit on the Billboard charts was in 1981 with the song "Poor Man's Son" from the album Premonition.[5]
Along with former bandmate, keyboardist and vocalist Jim Peterik, Sullivan co-wrote all of the group's hits, including "Eye of the Tiger"[6] and "Burning Heart" from the Rocky III and IV movie soundtracks.[7] He credits Sylvester Stallone for giving him the "opportunity of a lifetime" by using his song Eye of the Tiger in the Rocky III movie.[8]
Discography
With Survivor
- Survivor (1979)
- Premonition (1981)
- Eye of the Tiger (1982)
- Caught in the Game (1983)
- Vital Signs (1984)
- When Seconds Count (1986)
- Too Hot to Sleep (1988)
- Reach (2006)
Live albums
- Live in Tokyo (1985)
- Extended Versions: The Encore Collection (2004)
Compilation albums
- The Very Best of Survivor (1986)
- Greatest Hits (1989)
- Prime Cuts: The Classic Tracks (1998)
- Survivor Special Selection (2000)
- Fire in Your Eyes: Greatest Hits (2000)
- Ultimate Survivor (2004)
- The Best of Survivor (2006)
- Playlist: The Very Best of Survivor (2009)
- The Essential Survivor (2014)
Unofficial albums
- Fire Makes Steel: The Demos (1996)
References
- ^ Huey, Steve. "Biography: Frankie Sullivan". AMG. Retrieved 10 May 2010.
- ^ "Frankie Sullivan". Frankie Sullivan. Retrieved 12 November 2013.
- ^ a b Lombardo, Kayla (21 December 2015). "Frankie Sullivan of Survivor talks Rocky, Muhammad Ali and more". Sports illustrated. Retrieved 18 October 2021.
- ^ Jones, Tim (25 October 2007). "Tiger Feat – The story of Gwwwoz". Record collector. Retrieved 18 October 2021.
- ^ "Survivor to catch your eye with success". Clearfield Progress. 27 July 1993. Retrieved 18 October 2021.
- ^ "Survivor 2012: A Conversation With Frankie Sullivan". Technorati. Archived from the original on 12 November 2013. Retrieved 12 November 2013.
- ^ "Frankie Sullivan". IMBD. Retrieved 12 November 2013.
- ^ Blair, Brian (20 August 2019). "A Survivor in rock world". The Republic. Retrieved 18 October 2021.