Frankie Sullivan Explained

Frankie Sullivan
Birth Date:1 February 1955
Birth Place:Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
Occupation:Musician, songwriter
Instrument:Guitar
Years Active:1976–present
Current Member Of:Survivor
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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]

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.

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. 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.[5] Sullivan's first hit on the Billboard charts was in 1981 with the song "Poor Man's Son", from the album Premonition.[6] Along with keyboardist 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

Notes and References

  1. Web site: [{{AllMusic|class=artist|id=p5568/biography|pure_url=yes}} Biography: Frankie Sullivan]. Huey. Steve. AMG. May 10, 2010.
  2. Web site: Frankie Sullivan. Frankie Sullivan. November 12, 2013.
  3. News: Lombardo . Kayla . Frankie Sullivan of Survivor talks Rocky, Muhammad Ali and more . October 18, 2021 . Sports illustrated . December 21, 2015.
  4. News: Jones . Tim . Tiger Feat – The story of Gwwwoz . October 18, 2021 . Record collector . October 25, 2007.
  5. News: Levine . Gerald . Local rock band survives a hard climb to the top . October 18, 2021 . Arlington Heights Daily Herald . December 30, 1980.
  6. News: Survivor to catch your eye with success . October 18, 2021 . Clearfield Progress . July 27, 1993.
  7. Web site: Survivor 2012: A Conversation With Frankie Sullivan. Technorati. November 12, 2013. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20131112104340/http://technorati.com/entertainment/music/article/survivor-2012-a-conversation-with-frankie1/page-2/. November 12, 2013.
  8. Web site: Frankie Sullivan. IMDb. November 12, 2013.
  9. News: Blair . Brian . A Survivor in rock world . October 18, 2021 . The Republic . August 20, 2019.
  10. News: Survivor to present concert . October 18, 2021 . Joplin Globe . July 19, 1985.
  11. News: VH1 Where are they Now . October 18, 2021 . Walla Walla Union Bulletin . January 7, 1999.

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