Frankie Sullivan

Frank Michael Sullivan III (born 1 February 1955) is an American musician, singer, songwriter and lead guitarist. 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 nameFrank Michael Sullivan III
Born (1955-02-01) 1 February 1955
Chicago, Illinois, United States
Occupation(s)Musician, singer, songwriter
InstrumentsGuitar, vocals
Years active1976–present
Associated actsSurvivor
Websitefrankiesullivan.com
Frankie Sullivan autograph

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 Muhammad 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.[5] Sullivan was a lead guitar player. Sullivan and Peterik formed the nucleus of the band Survivor and the band immediately began touring, playing concerts in clubs.[6] 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"[7] and "Burning Heart" from the Rocky III and IV movie soundtracks.[8] 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.[9]

In 1984 Sullivan and the band Survivor had a song on the movie soundtrack for The Karate Kid. The song was The Moment of Truth.[10]

In 1999 Sullivan was featured on the VH1 television show Where are They Now.[11]

Discography

With Survivor

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)

Heart, 1985. Asked by Ron Nevison to play additional guitars.

  1. Huey, Steve. "Biography: Frankie Sullivan". AMG. Retrieved 10 May 2010.
  2. "Frankie Sullivan". Frankie Sullivan. Retrieved 12 November 2013.
  3. Lombardo, Kayla (21 December 2015). "Frankie Sullivan of Survivor talks Rocky, Muhammad Ali and more". Sports illustrated. Retrieved 18 October 2021.
  4. Jones, Tim (25 October 2007). "Tiger Feat – The story of Gwwwoz". Record collector. Retrieved 18 October 2021.
  5. "Survivor to catch your eye with success". Clearfield Progress. 27 July 1993. Retrieved 18 October 2021.
  6. Levine, Gerald (30 December 1980). "Local rock band survives a hard climb to the top". Arlington Heights Daily Herald. Retrieved 18 October 2021.
  7. "Survivor 2012: A Conversation With Frankie Sullivan". Technorati. Archived from the original on 12 November 2013. Retrieved 12 November 2013.
  8. "Frankie Sullivan". IMBD. Retrieved 12 November 2013.
  9. Blair, Brian (20 August 2019). "A Survivor in rock world". The Republic. Retrieved 18 October 2021.
  10. "Survivor to present concert". Joplin Globe. 19 July 1985. Retrieved 18 October 2021.
  11. "VH1 Where are they Now". Walla Walla Union Bulletin. 7 January 1999. Retrieved 18 October 2021.
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