Frankie Sullivan

Last updated

Frankie Sullivan
Frankie Sullivan 2013 (cropped).jpg
Sullivan at Sweden Rock Festival 2013
Background information
Born (1955-02-01) February 1, 1955 (age 68)
Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
Occupation(s)Musician, songwriter
Instrument(s)Guitar
Years active1976–present
Member of Survivor
Website frankiesullivan.com
Signature
Frankie Sullivan autograph.png

Frankie Sullivan (born February 1, 1955) is an American guitarist, best known for being a founding member of the rock band Survivor. [1] He has been the only permanent fixture in its lineup since the band's 1977 inception. [2]

Contents

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 is Muhammad Ali, and he has a framed autograph from the boxer hanging in his home. [3]

Career

In 1976, Sullivan was a member of the Chicago-based hard rock band Mariah. [4]

In 1978, he partnered with Jim Peterik and the two became a successful songwriting team. [5] With Sullivan as the lead guitarist, he and Peterik formed the nucleus of the band Survivor and the band 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 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

Compilation albums

Unofficial albums

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References

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