Jimi was my cousin. He was a great family man. You would've never guessed he was a star the way he was at family gatherings. Always asked how you were doing and would pick on my dad and tell stories. I was honored to be a pallbearer at his funeral. Thank you for showing appreciation for him.
Even though it's almost 6 years have passed, I am so very sorry for your loss. Jimi... well they just don't make talented people like that anymore. He had a voice that no one could match and a heart to go right alongside it.
Thanks for posting and I’m sorry for the loss of your cousin. Know he was a big impact in my life his voice was amazing and my wife and I were blessed to see him a few years ago just over a year before he passed. Hope you and your family are well.
GOD BLESS YOU AND YOUR FAMILY CHRIS. MUSIC FROM GUYS LIKE JIMI ARE WHAT HELPED SAVE MY LIFE GROWING UP AND STRUGGLING WITH SEVERE DEPRESSION AS A BOY IN THE 80S. THERE IS NOT A DAY THAT I DONT LISTEN TO JIMI'S MAGNIFICENT VOICE.
Chris: I had the opportunity to meet Jimi when he was touring with my former girlfriend-vocalist on the Voices of Classic Rock Tour in the late 90's-early 2000. What a super nice person. A true gentleman as you said. RIP to this gifted vocalist.
JJ is my absolute favorite voice to listen to!! You nailed it when you explained how he’d go from subtle yearning to in your face, bombastic power and passion. But it wasn’t all power and vocal acrobatics with him. It came through as emotion and genuine feelings. God I love listening to his recordings with Survivor on his first two albums with them. Why are they not more recognized? He is easily one of the top rock singers ever. He was the whole package - vocal powerhouse, absolute sweetheart, hunky and a genuine writer and musician who could sing anyrhjng. I ADORE Jimi and I really love his records with Survivor. I wish he was still with us. RIP 🙏
"High on you", is one of the best songs and Jimi's performance is amazing. Jimi, Brad Delp, and Steve Perry are my favorite AOR singers and it's a 3 way tie for the title of "the voice".
Jimi and Survivor should be in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Best voice ever. I saw him in Alexandria Va. in the early 2000s. My favorite album was "Too Hot To Sleep".
I've never commented on a post before, but Jimi was one of my all time favorite vocalists, and since it was recently his birthday, I thought I would contribute:) I am keeping my top five to Survivor songs, but Honorable Mention goes to the non-Survivor song AS IS: 5 Burning Heart - this song evokes Cold War patriotism memories every time I hear it...an updated 1980 Olympic hockey game feeling! 4 Desperate Dreams - If I hear this song once, I'm singing it the rest of the day. 3 Didn't Know it was Love - love the song and the video...the band just looks like they are having fun:) I can't believe this song wasn't more popular back in the day? 2 Man Against the World - Jim Peterik said it best "Jimi OWNS this song"! Goose.Bumps.Every.Time. 1 Can't Hold Back - Just need to hear the beginning guitar, and I'm transported back in time and saying "Ohhh, I LOVE this song"! RIP Jimi
My favourite all time vocalist. His vocals on this last full solo album Never To Late was stellar. I could not pick a top 5 best vocal. You just believe the words he sings.
I got to meet Jimi in Amarillo, March 1996. After the show I waited by the door of his bus. When he came out, he stayed there and talked to me about 15 minutes. Didn't hurry through the conversation. As more people started lining up behind me, I wrapped it up to be courteous and give others a chance. But he acted like he would've stayed there and talked to me as long as I wanted. So generous and giving of his time. Awesome man.
I remember being in a pizza joint on a Friday night in 1984 when I first heard "I Can't Hold Back". From that point to now Jimi has been my favorite vocalist. My Top Five Jimi moments would be "I Can't Hold Back", "The Search is Over", "Man Against The World", "Didn't Know It Was Love", and "As Is"....
My top 5 Jimi performances would be: 1) Alive (bonus track from Crossroads Moment); 2). Burning Bridges; 3) In Good Faith; 4) I Can't Hold Back; and 5) Man Against the World
Jimi Jamison is one of my all time favorites singers...he had some really good solo stuff besides the Survivor. Met him before a concert and had a coffee with him....such a nice decent guy. Down to earth and humble.
My band opened up for Jimmy back in 2011, at a small club in Tennessee. The man was a true sweetheart! He was very complimentary when it came to our playing and I will never forget that! He sounded just as good that night as he did on anything he recorded back in the 80s. One of the biggest highlights of my life. He will be forever missed...
Thank you sooo much for acknowledging how truly great Jimi Jamison was. He is by far one of the greatest vocalist, such power, passion, softness, he just has it all. My heart is broken that he passed way too soon. He used to come to Minneapolis around 2010-13, and do cancer/charity events at small venues. I saw him several times and was literally dancing right by the stage, he was singing right there, so close. Moments I will always cherish. He was also the kindest, most humble man, and heart stopping gorgeous.❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
I absolutely love Survivor definitely an underrated band from the 80's. Jimi Jamison is one of my favorite vocalists he is right up there with Steve Perry in terms of being able to pull off those high notes. We were so lucky and blessed to have grown up listening to music like this.
I did not know Jimi had passed away. I am truly heartbroken. My favorite by Survivor was Is This Love. The matching of Jimi's voice to the lead guitar just always moves me emotionally and is a big part of my teenage years.
“High on you” is one of my favorite songs in the universe. It’s got the catchy beat, the great depth of sounds, the universal lyrics...and Jimi’s amazing vocals on full range. This song is a great song to listen and sing along to while driving and also a fantastic song to work out to.
Another awesome 80's rock vocalist who was sadly underappreciated. Big fan of this man and yes a very down to earth person. I met him and Jim Peterik at my university's Spring Fling concert. We chatted a bit before the show and it was just plain cool. One song of theirs I thought was a sure hit but was never released was "In Good Faith". Like Steve Perry, Jimi Jamison could lift a melody out of the song to life. I only saw them live twice. Sadly Jimi's gone far too soon!
Jim Peterik is a visionary genius!!! Starting with VEHICLE !!! I remember when that song hit in 1970!!! He was savvy enough to bring Jimi Jamison aboard when Dave had vocal problems. The rest is history!!!
One of the greatest vocalists of the 80's and all-time was Prince! I've never heard him sing flat or sharp! He was always right there in that 'Sweet Spot!' Rip Prince🙏
I agree a 100%. To my ears Jimi had a different sound than most of the other rock singers in the eighties. He didnt have the typical light tenor voice, he sounded more like a barytone that had cracked the code of singing in the high tenor range with much more grit and girth than your typical male rock singer. I also agree that too hot to sleep is an underrated album, my favourite track is desperate dreams. Greetings from Norway.
Yeah, like a baritone who figured out singing high notes and produced a layer of “grit” over the vocals. To me Jimi is in the same class with Steve Perry and Freddie Mercury.
I know what you mean. But I think he is definately a tenor. He is not light tenor like Dennis DeYoung or Geddy Lee but you can tell he is a tenor by his speech voice and his tessitura when singing
Yes, Jimi Jamison's voice is incredible! I would put him in the same category with Steve Perry. Just a very powerful and commanding voice. I wish he was still with us now.
Stumbled across this particular subset of your work Adam, and I couldn’t agree more with “I love the ‘80s” re Steve Perry, Brad and Jimi. I often found both Robert Plant and Roger Daltry a bit too enamoured of their chops at wailing and shouting, and less concerned about telling the song’s story. Thanks for sparking my imagination; could you imagine a duet with Ann Wilson and anybody of the first three?
Jimi was better than Ste v e only because Jimi was more grounded and fan friendly than Steve. Jimi made friends with his fans and was humble.. Perry hide away wasting his talent for years. Jimi was out making music and touring.
Yes! I realize that only the "hits" were featured in the top five during this video, but Too Hot to Sleep has a number of songs that would've been strong contenders in my book! "Desperate Dreams," "Burning Bridges," etc. If only those had been hits too!
Did an interview with Jimi once, sometime in the mid 90's, for my local TV program here in Hungary. We drove all the way to Frankfurt, Germany from Budapest (cca 10-12 hours back then) just to see him. It was an "alternate" version of Survivor, with none of the others in the band at the time - but Jimi was still awesome!
Thanks for paying respect to one of my favorite singers (and bands) of all-time Jimi Jamison & Survivor. My favorite songs that were non singles: "Broken Promises" from Vital Signs & the should've been a hit "Desperate Dreams" from Too Hot To Sleep.
@@lisaknell1809 I loved “Everlasting”! I feel like that was a truly underrated song. I wish there was more appreciation for that song. By far my favorite song by Survivor. Jimi’s vocals were unbelievably incredible on that track
I absolutely love Jimi. I have honestly never heard anything from him that doesn't at some point make the hairs on your arm stand up. I am instantly a teenager again whenever I hear his songs. It is a crime how he really didn't get the respect he so deserved...even from someone in his own band. Anyone that knows Jimi,knows exactly who I mean. RIP Jimi ! I can't wait to see you on the otherside ♡
My beautiful wife Celia and I met Mr. Peterik here in Fort Wayne in 2014. I am a drummer of 47 years out of my almost 51 years of age. Jim is one of the nicest men Ive ever met. I introduced myself as a drummer. He checked out my physique and said, YOU LOOK LIKE A DRUMMER. Lol! Hes very inspiring and kind. I work hard as a musician. My beautiful Celia passed away in my arms on our front porch last October. She is my true love. She had a way of being good luck for us to get to meet some of the greatest influences in my life where music is concerned. I just wanted to share this. I have subscribed to your channel. Its fantastic! GOD BLESS.
Back in the late 90's, I got a once in a lifetime chance to see the legendary Survivor in a huge army tent at the Big Bull Falls Blues Festival in Wausau, WI. This was not a profitable gig for the band as my fee like everyone elses was a mere $5, but bands do fests and fairs to reach the people who can't afford arena and stadium prices. Its a labor of love, and it has very real yet unbelievable moments that only happen in the life of a rock band. I was standing with a friend drinking cheap beer discussing our love of teh band, we noticed a guy in an electric blue suit drinking with a much less dressed guy behind us. Yep, that turned out to be Stephen Ellis the bass player....my friend got the pick but he pointed right at me laughing and I could have touched his hand we were so close to the stage. The weather played a role as we got hit by a huge thunderstorm mi s show, and not only do d the band play on we got a rare treat. During an extended outro, Jimi went to each member calling an audible mid performance where they revealed a 20 minute jam version of the Door's Riders On The Storm. One song, Frankie Sullivan slid the band into a portion of Van Halen's Panama in the middle of one of their songs. The storm and being in that sound vacuum I had ringing in my ears for weeks after but I wouldn't changed the experience. Being a lifelong singer, and coming from a very dark place where this was me coming back out into the world, I was singing along with the band, In a moment that was very much like the future film Rock Star,, I was singing harmony with Jimi on a few songs including the Search Is Over and I Can't Hold Back.. At One point he must have heard me with my perfect pitch and soaring high tenor over the band and the crowd . Our eyes locked, he smiled and pointed at me shaking his head grinning. Bout the closest I have ever gotten to singing with a hero. Survivor was a great band and one I admire to this day. Thanks for sharing the music of the band and Jimi with fans Professor! Still singing with Jimi and Dave today
Jimi is one of my favorite singers of all time, along with Lou Gramm. I am listening to Jimi and Survivor, and his individual CDs, everyday. The music stays in your head forever and it's a voice you'll never forget. Plus, based on what I've been reading online, he was a wonderful man. So missed! 🥰
Fantastic, it made my day to see this, absolutely the greatest voice of the era, and of all time in my opinion.. the combination of passion soul and Power is incredible. I would add 'man against the world' to that list if there had been a number 6..
I finally got to see this amazing segment on JIMI that everyone has been raving about. Everything you’ve said here is right to the point, I have always used the word “Yearning” to describe JIMI’s amazing, beautiful, unique, magical GOLDENVOICE. He was an extraordinary human being with a Heart of Gold and he was Humble and Kind and just so Special. Thank you for this. He really does deserve so much more in the conversations about top vocalists. I don’t like to use the word “underrated” because I feel I’m taking away from his talent, but to me he was one of a kind. He is the voice of AOR. I’m looking forward to seeing more about JIMI here. Thank you again for this most heartfelt and wonderful piece on SWEET JIMI. Heaven is lucky to have him and we are Blessed to have had him for awhile. 💔✨💔
I agree with your number one spot. I can listen to "I Can't Hold Back" on repeat all. day. long. It's the perfect combo of music, lyrics, and HIS VOICE makes it the best! I have listened to the voice only track and it is amazing. Peterick got a gem when they brought Jamison on. Vital Signs is in my top favorite albums list.
Great episode, Professor. My five from Survivor and Jimi: Desperate Dreams, Across the Miles, It’s the Singer Not the Song, High on You, I Can’t Hold Back.
Thank you - you did a great job speaking of a Phenomenal human being. Your explanation of his talent and the emotion behind his songs. He sang as if every song was written by his own heart. How well he brought the songs to life. His talent was beyond words. Jimi was an incredibly beautiful soul. Such a genuine friend. Humble and funny and such heart. If you were blessed to know him what a gift that truly was. Never forgotten. God bless you Jimi - Your missed by many xx
Started watching a few weeks ago after I saw you did a show on AC/DC. Loved your perspective! I’m in an AC/DC tribute band in Upstate, NY so obviously their my favorite band! Started my Patreon last night. As a teen in the 80’s Survivor was always with me in my bag of tapes to throw on in the car, in my Walkman or my room stereo. For me, the song “I See You In Everyone” is their greatest song. With that guitar/piano in your face beginning to the soaring guest vocals of Mickey Thomas! Damn! I had to buy another copy of Vital Signs on cassette I played it out so bad! Great heartbreak/tearjerker with Jimi’s vocals bringing you into the stratosphere! Love Survivor! They were a big part of my childhood. Respect! 🤘🏻
Thank you so much for this amazing segment on the most beautiful voice I have ever heard. Jimi Jamison is the best male vocalist (tied with Freddie Mercury) it has ever been my pleasure to listen to. He was as amazing live as well. I saw him 5 times and he blew me away every time. I had the sheer pleasure to meet him the last time and he was so sweet and absolutely fantastic. With his amazing talent, he should have been a mega star. He is truly a legend. I just love him.
Really enjoyed this!! I love Across the Miles and Just Beyond the Clouds and Never Too Late is also one of my favorites ❤ Thank You so much for Honoring him...know he would appreciate this more than words can say!
I always wondered if Across the Miles was specifically written for the band's spouses/significant others... Love that the video actually shows Jimi playing the guitar. Most only showcase his vocals (which were phenomenal)!
When I heard you mention an underrated singer from the 80's, my mind immediately went to Jimi! So, I must concur! The album Viyal Signs is one of my favorites and brings back great memories from my teenage years!
I remember seeing Jimi Jamison's Survivor back in the early 90's with some friends who were not real familiar with Survivor. After the show they were shocked because they had no idea that they played all of those hits.
A while back I did a ratings of the Survivor the Best of with 14 songs so here are my top five. 5. Is This Love 4. Can't hold back 3. Burning Heart 2. High on you 1.*** The Search is Over***
#5. First Night. Great album track on Vital Signs #4. Never Too Late Jimi solo song from the album Never Too Late #3 High on You #2 Didn't Know it Was Love. First single from Too Hot to Sleep, would have been a huge hi if released 5 years earlier. Did not get the promotion from the record company. Great song. #1 I Can't Hold Back. Agree with everything said in the video. One of the best songs of the 80's and I never get tired of it.
Survivor is "Soundtrack of my life." music. I was a young man in the 80's and the music definitely spoke to me. One of those bands where I thought, "Why isn't this more popular? Why isn't this band huge?"
We all asked ourselves the same thing back then. Let’s face it, PR is a big thing in popular music. Why weren’t they on TV, in the magazines more. They had a cult following, yeah, but they deserved to be bigger.
"I Can't Hold Back", yes #1...but may I argue, "Didn't Know It Was Love"? An unbelievable song that sprung from 1988 that could somehow pierce this top 5? What a song, and crazy from living then that anything might have been able to challenge this top 5?
I had the honor to work with Jimi and over the years we would meet up every so often down in Nashville where I worked in music management. He was definitely a talent that got a lot of comparisons to Steve Perry. He will be missed!! I almost forgot, he had asked me what song was my favorite and I related closely to the song “man against the world.”
When I first heard Vital Signs the hair on my arms stood for the whole album. I haven’t heard vocals with such passion and conviction (married with the perfect songs) since. RiP Jimmy!
Very well done Professor, to me Survivor and so many other bands and musicians from this era are all about good songs and passion. Jimi is No1 in my book for all the reasons you mention in your video and out of the many fantastic songs Survivor has recorded, Desperate Dreams is my absolute top one. Perfection in every sense
Instead of the Baywatch song I would have "Is this Love" and the songs would have a different ranking order. I am not capable of leaving that song out of his top 5. Great video man.
Everyone thinks of 'Eye Of The Tiger' when you talk about Survivor but Vital Signs was so awesome to this 12 year old kid in the mid 80"s. 'High On You' and 'Can't Hold Back' were and still are great songs!!!
I agree. As much as I dig Eye of The Tiger, I consider the songs on Vital Sign's to be light years beyond. Tremendous songwriters and performance. Especially Jimi 🙏🙏🙏🙏
Good info. There's a lot I didn't know about Jimi and the band Survivor in this video, which shows how underappreciated their music is since it was all over the radio when I was growing up. I'm definitely going to give them a listen.
My top 5: 5: I See You In Everyone 4: Reach (Survivors 2006 Reach Album) 3: Across The Miles 2: Can't Let You Go 1: Cry Tough (From the 1999 JJ Survivor Empires Album)
"Vital Signs" was a huge HUGE part of my teen years. Such a great album. Also Jimi did backing vocals on my favorite band, Molly Hatchet's "The Deed is Done" album around that time
My 5'er: 1 - I Can't Hold Back, 2 - I See You In Everyone, 3 - First Night, 4 - The Search Is Over, 5 - It's The Singer Not The Song . All of which, I am happy to say, were from Vital Signs. This album had a HUGE impact on me and I still listen to it for inspiration and to forget my troubles on a "bad day". It's the ultimate "feel good" album that does the trick every time I hear it. Also, the way Jimi's voice blends perfectly with Mickey Thomas on background vocals is just....AMAZING. What a combination!! Thank you for your spotlight on one of my "desert island" albums!!
This is so appreciated man, thank you!!! I never heard anyone as passionate as me about Jimi and Survivor until I saw this man!!! Jimi Jamison, Brad Delp, Peter Cetera and so many other's ( I could go on and on) of Band's of all genre's had such a distinctive sound that's missing from Music now unfortunately... I'm glad to have grown up in the time I did and experience Music like this on the Radio and real Record Stores (so long Tower, Record Bar, Turtles...)
Looking back in time... A piece I published six months prior to Jimi's passing. Like all of you, I still grieve for this amazing human being that meant so much to us all. **** Every once an awhile there comes an artist that stands the test of time and actually has the ability to change the course of ones life with their art, even if just for a moment. Whether it’s through the art of writing, painting, or singing in the case of Jimi Jamison. Jimi has most definitely lent his artistic gift of voice to breathe life into a song that would not have had the same powerful effect had someone else interpreted it. It seems that every decade a new rising music talent breaks through and if they’re fortunate he or she leaves a profound mark on a few. Jimi has been around for decades and he continues to persevere and not rest on his laurels. Jimi continues to do what he does best and that is simply to share his gift with as many of people that care to listen. For a vocal artist beyond what most would consider his prime years, Jimi continues to release new material at an alarming rate and shows no signs of slowing down. I’ve seen him perform several times since the 80s and can say without hesitation that his voice actually resonates at a higher degree now verses then. His stage performance along with his ability to communicate with the audience during and after the show truly displays that he knows who he is and is grateful for what he has, a true gentleman and artist. I was fortunate to see Jimi perform live several times with Survivor and with his own group since the 80s. I was honored as I was one of the many who got to speak with him on more than one occasion. I can truly say that he was A Cut Above the Rest. Top 5 songs featuring Jimi Jamison...man that's almost impossible. 5. I See You In Everyone 4. I Can't Hold Back 3. Man Against the World 2. Never Too Late 1. Burning Bridges Everyone should own Jimi's last LP NEVER TOO LATE
I love that LP as well. Crossroads Moment however is Jimi at his most reflective and mature. Lyrics and voice combine to tell the story of his life. I read that he and Peterik got together and just talke for hours about life and spirituality, and Jimis kids, just all kinds of things. Peterik went off and wrote like a madman using all that. He said he loved writing for Jimi, his voice was an inspiration for his song writing that no other vocalist could match. The song AS IS makes me sob everytime I hear it. It speaks of a man that is reflective of his life. He regrets his mistakes but underneath knows he has done so much good as well and that he is worth redeeming when he stands before God at judgement and grace will make him accepted AS IS.
@@lehcaraz1 Shortly after his mom passed I was at one of his shows. Jimi sang As Is acapella and dedicated the song to her. I wish I had enough space in my digital camera at the time to have recorded him.
I stumbled across the Vital Signs and When Seconds Count albums in 2018 in the beginning of my AOR obsession. I noticed the melodies and songs were beyond catchy but it didn't take me long to realize the vocalist himself was something special. It was after watching "I see you in everyone" Live in japan video on youtube that the legend was put into human form haha. It took me less than one summer in 2020 to find every single one of their records on vinyl and I now own two copies of vital signs. Been obssessed with survivor for a few years now, I didnt know this many people loved jimi jamison as much as me. Without MTV there was really no gage on how strong of a band they were and I think that's Magical in its own right!
Similar story for me -- I "re" - discovered Survivor & Jimi about 3 years ago, during the pandemic, when I went on YT looking for '80s music I remembered hearing on the radio back then (I was in high school then, but we didn't have MTV, so I never had seen any of the videos!) I remembered hearing their main hits on the radio, "High on You" was the first I searched for, it stood out because of that heavy synth opening. And as I was watching it, I began to wonder, who's that dark-haired guy in the video? 😅 So that began my obsession with Survivor, reading about the band, watching a bunch of their videos, & finally being able to identify each member (could not believe the "dorky guy with the huge glasses", in the early videos, was actually Jim Peterik, the co-founder!) I read his biography, "Through the Eye of the Tiger", & have since had the honor of meeting him at a Memphis event honoring Jimi, & he signed the book & chatted & took some pics --- also a very nice, down to earth Chicago guy, didn't act like a "celeb" at all! And I got to meet & chat with Jimi's widow Debbie at another such event also in Memphis, she was great, a very sweet lady, & still has her own band she performs with. There's yet another event coming up next week (Memphis, & some of Jimi's friends & family there, have been diligent in honoring his memory), so I'm hoping to possibly say hello to Debbie & Mr. Peterik again. Jimi Jamison was inducted into the Memphis Music Hall of Fame just last year (2023) & Jim Peterik was inducted into the Illinois Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, a few years back, but as many have said, Survivor, the entire band, should really be in the main Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.
Btw, that video of "I See You in Everyone" live in Japan, is my absolute favorite live performance of Survivor's so far -- I've only seen just a few -- I even liked Frankie Sullivan's long guitar solo, & I'm not really a fan of the sound of electric guitars in general, & am not at all musically inclined -- but even I could see what an awesome performance that was!
You managed to break my heart. I didn't realize how much I missed Jimi until now. He will always be missed, but his music will live on forever. And my favourite will always be "Moment of Truth".
I can’t hold back was even better live than it was on the radio. Best song I have ever seen performed. He was everything you described and more in person.
Thanks for this video! Survivor is and was the band that started it all for me with Dave Bickler on Eye of the Tiger and it was a surprise when Jimi joined the band (Canada being out of the loop of Chicago music news) but he ended up inspiring me personally with Is this love, as I used that song to perform an air band at my high school air band competition.
Really dig your channel man. Love all of the 80s love. Jimi sure was amazing. A true loss. Spinning Vital Signs right after this.
,,Vital Signs", among the best albums of mankind.
Absolute great album, also when seconds count, for me.
@@kirwan1414hb
Is This Love from October 1986 has that cool synth in the beginning (played by Jim Peterik) and Jimi's powerful voice.
so underrated❤
Jimi was my cousin. He was a great family man. You would've never guessed he was a star the way he was at family gatherings. Always asked how you were doing and would pick on my dad and tell stories. I was honored to be a pallbearer at his funeral. Thank you for showing appreciation for him.
Even though it's almost 6 years have passed, I am so very sorry for your loss. Jimi... well they just don't make talented people like that anymore. He had a voice that no one could match and a heart to go right alongside it.
Thanks for posting and I’m sorry for the loss of your cousin. Know he was a big impact in my life his voice was amazing and my wife and I were blessed to see him a few years ago just over a year before he passed. Hope you and your family are well.
I was in deep grief when i heard sir jimmi passed it's hard to accept
GOD BLESS YOU AND YOUR FAMILY CHRIS. MUSIC FROM GUYS LIKE JIMI ARE WHAT HELPED SAVE MY LIFE GROWING UP AND STRUGGLING WITH SEVERE DEPRESSION AS A BOY IN THE 80S. THERE IS NOT A DAY THAT I DONT LISTEN TO JIMI'S MAGNIFICENT VOICE.
Chris: I had the opportunity to meet Jimi when he was touring with my former girlfriend-vocalist on the Voices of Classic Rock Tour in the late 90's-early 2000. What a super nice person. A true gentleman as you said. RIP to this gifted vocalist.
Man when he passed, I was crushed ...Definitely one of my favorite vocalists. R.I.P Jimi!!!! You will never be forgotten.
Jimi Jamison was a phenomenal singer. His performances on Vital Signs were perfect. He is missed.
The Search is Over is one of the best love songs EVER........Jimi's voice is the best
💯
JJ is my absolute favorite voice to listen to!! You nailed it when you explained how he’d go from subtle yearning to in your face, bombastic power and passion. But it wasn’t all power and vocal acrobatics with him. It came through as emotion and genuine feelings. God I love listening to his recordings with Survivor on his first two albums with them. Why are they not more recognized? He is easily one of the top rock singers ever. He was the whole package - vocal powerhouse, absolute sweetheart, hunky and a genuine writer and musician who could sing anyrhjng. I ADORE Jimi and I really love his records with Survivor. I wish he was still with us. RIP 🙏
"High on you", is one of the best songs and Jimi's performance is amazing. Jimi, Brad Delp, and Steve Perry are my favorite AOR singers and it's a 3 way tie for the title of "the voice".
Jimi and Survivor should be in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Best voice ever. I saw him in Alexandria Va. in the early 2000s. My favorite album was "Too Hot To Sleep".
Too Hot to Sleep is - from my experience, anyway - possibly the most underrecognized album of the 1980s and definitely one of Survivor's best...
@@MusicRunner82 my 2nd favorite survivor record is too hot to sleep so I agree
I totally agree...why isn't Survivor with Jimi & Dave in the RRHF???
Jimi Jamison is one of my top 3 favourite vocalists ever ❤.He is in rocking roll heaven.
YES YES YES!!!!!!! JUSTICE FOR JIMI!!!! SURVIVOR IS SUPER UNDERRATED.
Jimi Jamison was a singer's singer. Yes, so underrated.
I've never commented on a post before, but Jimi was one of my all time favorite vocalists, and since it was recently his birthday, I thought I would contribute:) I am keeping my top five to Survivor songs, but Honorable Mention goes to the non-Survivor song AS IS:
5 Burning Heart - this song evokes Cold War patriotism memories every time I hear it...an updated 1980 Olympic hockey game feeling!
4 Desperate Dreams - If I hear this song once, I'm singing it the rest of the day.
3 Didn't Know it was Love - love the song and the video...the band just looks like they are having fun:) I can't believe this song wasn't more popular back in the day?
2 Man Against the World - Jim Peterik said it best "Jimi OWNS this song"! Goose.Bumps.Every.Time.
1 Can't Hold Back - Just need to hear the beginning guitar, and I'm transported back in time and saying "Ohhh, I LOVE this song"!
RIP Jimi
Can we also acknowledge that if you look up Survivor live in 1985 in Japan. He sounds perfect.
ua-cam.com/video/DaSZQHHn5Mc/v-deo.html
"I Can't Hold Back" ❤
My favourite all time vocalist. His vocals on this last full solo album Never To Late was stellar. I could not pick a top 5 best vocal. You just believe the words he sings.
"Never too Late" is one of my favorite & "go to cd's" !!! Love Jimi Jamison...
I got to meet Jimi in Amarillo, March 1996. After the show I waited by the door of his bus. When he came out, he stayed there and talked to me about 15 minutes. Didn't hurry through the conversation. As more people started lining up behind me, I wrapped it up to be courteous and give others a chance. But he acted like he would've stayed there and talked to me as long as I wanted. So generous and giving of his time. Awesome man.
That is a beautiful story.l love Jimi jamison 2020 his fan for life ❤️❤️.
This is one of the best tributes to Jimi I have seen. He had a voice, heart and soul like no other.
PREACH!!!
I remember being in a pizza joint on a Friday night in 1984 when I first heard "I Can't Hold Back". From that point to now Jimi has been my favorite vocalist. My Top Five Jimi moments would be "I Can't Hold Back", "The Search is Over", "Man Against The World", "Didn't Know It Was Love", and "As Is"....
Oh As Is is my favorite "new" one of his, along with Never Too Late! But I was trying to stick with mostly Survivor era stuff....
My top 5 Jimi performances would be: 1) Alive (bonus track from Crossroads Moment); 2). Burning Bridges; 3) In Good Faith; 4) I Can't Hold Back; and 5) Man Against the World
Jimi Jamison is one of my all time favorites singers...he had some really good solo stuff besides the Survivor. Met him before a concert and had a coffee with him....such a nice decent guy. Down to earth and humble.
My band opened up for Jimmy back in 2011, at a small club in Tennessee. The man was a true sweetheart! He was very complimentary when it came to our playing and I will never forget that! He sounded just as good that night as he did on anything he recorded back in the 80s. One of the biggest highlights of my life. He will be forever missed...
He had a beautiful voice 🎤, 🎶 he was a great person, ❣️ we love him forever!! ❤️
Thank you sooo much for acknowledging how truly great Jimi Jamison was. He is by far one of the greatest vocalist, such power, passion, softness, he just has it all. My heart is broken that he passed way too soon. He used to come to Minneapolis around 2010-13, and do cancer/charity events at small venues. I saw him several times and was literally dancing right by the stage, he was singing right there, so close. Moments I will always cherish. He was also the kindest, most humble man, and heart stopping gorgeous.❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
Jimi Jamison took Survivor to a entire new level. Without him Survivor was going nowhere!!!!!!
I absolutely love Survivor definitely an underrated band from the 80's. Jimi Jamison is one of my favorite vocalists he is right up there with Steve Perry in terms of being able to pull off those high notes. We were so lucky and blessed to have grown up listening to music like this.
I did not know Jimi had passed away. I am truly heartbroken. My favorite by Survivor was Is This Love. The matching of Jimi's voice to the lead guitar just always moves me emotionally and is a big part of my teenage years.
1 of the greatest front men of all time. His voice, stage presence and the way he carried himself is the definition of a lead singer on stage
He was not only one of the best 80's singers, he was a really nice guy. I so miss his voice although his recording will never die
I was lucky enough to play drums in Jimi's band up in Canada. He was so genuine and grounded. I miss him.
Fantastic segment.
“High on you” is one of my favorite songs in the universe. It’s got the catchy beat, the great depth of sounds, the universal lyrics...and Jimi’s amazing vocals on full range.
This song is a great song to listen and sing along to while driving and also a fantastic song to work out to.
Another awesome 80's rock vocalist who was sadly underappreciated. Big fan of this man and yes a very down to earth person. I met him and Jim Peterik at my university's Spring Fling concert. We chatted a bit before the show and it was just plain cool. One song of theirs I thought was a sure hit but was never released was "In Good Faith". Like Steve Perry, Jimi Jamison could lift a melody out of the song to life. I only saw them live twice. Sadly Jimi's gone far too soon!
'In Good Faith' is such a good song. Jimi's vocals were perfect for this song.
"In Good Faith" was one of my favorite Survivor songs.
Jim Peterik has stellar vocals, you don't get that kind of rock voice anymore.
Jim Peterik is a visionary genius!!! Starting with VEHICLE !!! I remember when that song hit in 1970!!!
He was savvy enough to bring Jimi Jamison aboard when Dave had vocal problems. The rest is history!!!
One of the greatest vocalists of the 80's and all-time was Prince! I've never heard him sing flat or sharp! He was always right there in that 'Sweet Spot!' Rip Prince🙏
One of my fav artists. Miss him. I so agree. I love his song In Good Faith as well. He could sing anything and I would listen.
I agree a 100%. To my ears Jimi had a different sound than most of the other rock singers in the eighties. He didnt have the typical light tenor voice, he sounded more like a barytone that had cracked the code of singing in the high tenor range with much more grit and girth than your typical male rock singer. I also agree that too hot to sleep is an underrated album, my favourite track is desperate dreams. Greetings from Norway.
Perfectly said! That album was a masterpiece. Love Burning Bridges.
Yeah, like a baritone who figured out singing high notes and produced a layer of “grit” over the vocals. To me Jimi is in the same class with Steve Perry and Freddie Mercury.
I know what you mean. But I think he is definately a tenor. He is not light tenor like Dennis DeYoung or Geddy Lee but you can tell he is a tenor by his speech voice and his tessitura when singing
One of my favourite vocalist. I consider myself lucky to have seen him live
He was everything I had hoped he would be and more
Yes, Jimi Jamison's voice is incredible! I would put him in the same category with Steve Perry. Just a very powerful and commanding voice. I wish he was still with us now.
And with Brad Delp, and Dennis DeYoung like him or not he had an amazing voice
Yes!! Jimi sounded a lot like Steven Perry of Journey!! Plus to me, he sounded very similar to the singer of Bad Company w similar band sound playing.
Stumbled across this particular subset of your work Adam, and I couldn’t agree more with “I love the ‘80s” re Steve Perry, Brad and Jimi. I often found both Robert Plant and Roger Daltry a bit too enamoured of their chops at wailing and shouting, and less concerned about telling the song’s story. Thanks for sparking my imagination; could you imagine a duet with Ann Wilson and anybody of the first three?
Steve Perry and Jimi jamison are the GOATS of soft rock voices
Jimi was better than Ste v e only because Jimi was more grounded and fan friendly than Steve. Jimi made friends with his fans and was humble.. Perry hide away wasting his talent for years. Jimi was out making music and touring.
Jimi was very awesome singer for survivor jimi is very inspiring person miss him dearly RIP Jimi
"Didnt know it was love"! My favorite Jamison moment! Too hot to sleep is a diamond record!
Yes! I realize that only the "hits" were featured in the top five during this video, but Too Hot to Sleep has a number of songs that would've been strong contenders in my book! "Desperate Dreams," "Burning Bridges," etc. If only those had been hits too!
Man!!!! That song was/is AMAZING!!!!
In a better world that album would’ve gone diamond.
Did an interview with Jimi once, sometime in the mid 90's, for my local TV program here in Hungary. We drove all the way to Frankfurt, Germany from Budapest (cca 10-12 hours back then) just to see him. It was an "alternate" version of Survivor, with none of the others in the band at the time - but Jimi was still awesome!
Thanks for paying respect to one of my favorite singers (and bands) of all-time Jimi Jamison & Survivor. My favorite songs that were non singles: "Broken Promises" from Vital Signs & the should've been a hit "Desperate Dreams" from Too Hot To Sleep.
I love Broken Promise and Everlasting.
@@lisaknell1809 I loved “Everlasting”! I feel like that was a truly underrated song. I wish there was more appreciation for that song. By far my favorite song by Survivor. Jimi’s vocals were unbelievably incredible on that track
JImi was my Dear friend. God Bless him, I miss him muchly!!! He wasn't a Star in my book, he was my brother!!!
I absolutely love Jimi. I have honestly never heard anything from him that doesn't at some point make the hairs on your arm stand up. I am instantly a teenager again whenever I hear his songs. It is a crime how he really didn't get the respect he so deserved...even from someone in his own band. Anyone that knows Jimi,knows exactly who I mean. RIP Jimi ! I can't wait to see you on the otherside ♡
PREACH!!!
🙌🙌🙌 💯
Sullivan?
My favorite band of all time. ❤️Jimi was a God sent to survivor. The band defines my teens.
He was the best, he is dearly missed by all.
Beautiful man with a wonderful voice. ❤ We miss Jimi! 😢
My beautiful wife Celia and I met Mr. Peterik here in Fort Wayne in 2014. I am a drummer of 47 years out of my almost 51 years of age. Jim is one of the nicest men Ive ever met. I introduced myself as a drummer. He checked out my physique and said, YOU LOOK LIKE A DRUMMER. Lol! Hes very inspiring and kind. I work hard as a musician. My beautiful Celia passed away in my arms on our front porch last October. She is my true love. She had a way of being good luck for us to get to meet some of the greatest influences in my life where music is concerned. I just wanted to share this. I have subscribed to your channel. Its fantastic! GOD BLESS.
Back in the late 90's, I got a once in a lifetime chance to see the legendary Survivor in a huge army tent at the Big Bull Falls Blues Festival in Wausau, WI. This was not a profitable gig for the band as my fee like everyone elses was a mere $5, but bands do fests and fairs to reach the people who can't afford arena and stadium prices. Its a labor of love, and it has very real yet unbelievable moments that only happen in the life of a rock band. I was standing with a friend drinking cheap beer discussing our love of teh band, we noticed a guy in an electric blue suit drinking with a much less dressed guy behind us. Yep, that turned out to be Stephen Ellis the bass player....my friend got the pick but he pointed right at me laughing and I could have touched his hand we were so close to the stage. The weather played a role as we got hit by a huge thunderstorm mi s show, and not only do d the band play on we got a rare treat. During an extended outro, Jimi went to each member calling an audible mid performance where they revealed a 20 minute jam version of the Door's Riders On The Storm. One song, Frankie Sullivan slid the band into a portion of Van Halen's Panama in the middle of one of their songs. The storm and being in that sound vacuum I had ringing in my ears for weeks after but I wouldn't changed the experience. Being a lifelong singer, and coming from a very dark place where this was me coming back out into the world, I was singing along with the band, In a moment that was very much like the future film Rock Star,, I was singing harmony with Jimi on a few songs including the Search Is Over and I Can't Hold Back.. At One point he must have heard me with my perfect pitch and soaring high tenor over the band and the crowd . Our eyes locked, he smiled and pointed at me shaking his head grinning. Bout the closest I have ever gotten to singing with a hero. Survivor was a great band and one I admire to this day. Thanks for sharing the music of the band and Jimi with fans Professor! Still singing with Jimi and Dave today
Jimi Jamison deserves all the respect. Amazing vocalist; yes, the Japan 1985 concert on MTV was great. Highly recommended.
Jimi is one of my favorite singers of all time, along with Lou Gramm. I am listening to Jimi and Survivor, and his individual CDs, everyday. The music stays in your head forever and it's a voice you'll never forget. Plus, based on what I've been reading online, he was a wonderful man. So missed! 🥰
Fantastic, it made my day to see this, absolutely the greatest voice of the era, and of all time in my opinion.. the combination of passion soul and Power is incredible.
I would add 'man against the world' to that list if there had been a number 6..
I finally got to see this amazing segment on JIMI that everyone has been raving about. Everything you’ve said here is right to the point, I have always used the word “Yearning” to describe JIMI’s amazing, beautiful, unique, magical GOLDENVOICE. He was an extraordinary human being with a Heart of Gold and he was Humble and Kind and just so Special. Thank you for this. He really does deserve so much more in the conversations about top vocalists. I don’t like to use the word “underrated” because I feel I’m taking away from his talent, but to me he was one of a kind. He is the voice of AOR. I’m looking forward to seeing more about JIMI here. Thank you again for this most heartfelt and wonderful piece on SWEET JIMI. Heaven is lucky to have him and we are Blessed to have had him for awhile. 💔✨💔
I agree with your number one spot. I can listen to "I Can't Hold Back" on repeat all. day. long. It's the perfect combo of music, lyrics, and HIS VOICE makes it the best! I have listened to the voice only track and it is amazing. Peterick got a gem when they brought Jamison on. Vital Signs is in my top favorite albums list.
Great episode, Professor. My five from Survivor and Jimi: Desperate Dreams, Across the Miles, It’s the Singer Not the Song, High on You, I Can’t Hold Back.
"My sister always said, 'you better not sing it!'... I sang it every time"
Wholesome and hysterical
Thank you - you did a great job speaking of a Phenomenal human being. Your explanation of his talent and the emotion behind his songs. He sang as if every song was written by his own heart. How well he brought the songs to life. His talent was beyond words. Jimi was an incredibly beautiful soul. Such a genuine friend. Humble and funny and such heart. If you were blessed to know him what a gift that truly was. Never forgotten. God bless you Jimi - Your missed by many xx
Started watching a few weeks ago after I saw you did a show on AC/DC.
Loved your perspective! I’m in an AC/DC tribute band in Upstate, NY so obviously their my favorite band! Started my Patreon last night.
As a teen in the 80’s Survivor was always with me in my bag of tapes to throw on in the car, in my Walkman or my room stereo.
For me, the song “I See You In Everyone” is their greatest song. With that guitar/piano in your face beginning to the soaring guest vocals of Mickey Thomas! Damn! I had to buy another copy of Vital Signs on cassette I played it out so bad!
Great heartbreak/tearjerker with Jimi’s vocals bringing you into the stratosphere!
Love Survivor! They were a big part of my childhood. Respect! 🤘🏻
Thank you so much for this amazing segment on the most beautiful voice I have ever heard. Jimi Jamison is the best male vocalist (tied with Freddie Mercury) it has ever been my pleasure to listen to. He was as amazing live as well. I saw him 5 times and he blew me away every time. I had the sheer pleasure to meet him the last time and he was so sweet and absolutely fantastic. With his amazing talent, he should have been a mega star. He is truly a legend. I just love him.
my 5 Jimi songs are 5 High on you 4 I'm always here 3 Across the miles 2 Ever since the world began and 1 The Search is over.
Really enjoyed this!! I love Across the Miles and Just Beyond the Clouds and Never Too Late is also one of my favorites ❤ Thank You so much for Honoring him...know he would appreciate this more than words can say!
Damn, Debbie, gone and made me cry...
It still hurts. Jimi was and is medicine for the mind.
I always wondered if Across the Miles was specifically written for the band's spouses/significant others... Love that the video actually shows Jimi playing the guitar. Most only showcase his vocals (which were phenomenal)!
When I heard you mention an underrated singer from the 80's, my mind immediately went to Jimi! So, I must concur! The album Viyal Signs is one of my favorites and brings back great memories from my teenage years!
Thank you for this video. Jimi was, and still is, one of the best male vocalists of any decade.
I remember seeing Jimi Jamison's Survivor back in the early 90's with some friends who were not real familiar with Survivor. After the show they were shocked because they had no idea that they played all of those hits.
A while back I did a ratings of the Survivor the Best of with 14 songs so here are my top five.
5. Is This Love
4. Can't hold back
3. Burning Heart
2. High on you
1.*** The Search is Over***
I truly hope that "Man Against the World" made it somewhere in the Top 14. It's my #1, so you can see how I'm scratching my head.
Before I was clicking this I'm thinking "well I bet it won't be Jimi Jamison like it should be!"... Survivor where my favourite band in the 80s
#5. First Night. Great album track on Vital Signs
#4. Never Too Late Jimi solo song from the album Never Too Late
#3 High on You
#2 Didn't Know it Was Love. First single from Too Hot to Sleep, would have been a huge hi if released 5 years earlier. Did not get the promotion from the record company. Great song.
#1 I Can't Hold Back. Agree with everything said in the video. One of the best songs of the 80's and I never get tired of it.
Jimi Jamison,Lou Gramm, Joe lynn Turner,Steve Perry, Darren Wharton were my favorite singers during 80,s and 90,s
I'm a biggest fan of Jimi Jamison ❤... thanks for your video. Cant get enough of listening "I can't hold back" ☺
The Search is Over is a definite Goosebump song.
Survivor is "Soundtrack of my life." music. I was a young man in the 80's and the music definitely spoke to me. One of those bands where I thought, "Why isn't this more popular? Why isn't this band huge?"
Ditto.
We all asked ourselves the same thing back then. Let’s face it, PR is a big thing in popular music. Why weren’t they on TV, in the magazines more. They had a cult following, yeah, but they deserved to be bigger.
Survivor should have been very huge they’re amazing
Without a doubt the best rock vocalist I've ever heard in my life and as you say totally underrated. It was heartbreaking when he passed 😔
He has always been one of favorites too. And I also thought the line was "rising like a spider" for years.
"I Can't Hold Back", yes #1...but may I argue, "Didn't Know It Was Love"? An unbelievable song that sprung from 1988 that could somehow pierce this top 5? What a song, and crazy from living then that anything might have been able to challenge this top 5?
My friends and I wore out that part of the tape between 88-90. Track 2 : Rewind-play didn’t know-rewind-play-repeat.
loved this band....
always loved Survivor. There she stood that will teach her, too look so good and feel so right
I had the honor to work with Jimi and over the years we would meet up every so often down in Nashville where I worked in music management. He was definitely a talent that got a lot of comparisons to Steve Perry. He will be missed!!
I almost forgot, he had asked me what song was my favorite and I related closely to the song “man against the world.”
Greetings from Canada that sounds awsome must have been a great time and experience.
~~~SHINE ON 💎 ~~~
🎼☮️👊🇨🇦
Brilliant tribute to the Jimi Jamison era of Survivor some great 80's songs too hot to sleep awesome album from 1988
When I first heard Vital Signs the hair on my arms stood for the whole album. I haven’t heard vocals with such passion and conviction (married with the perfect songs) since.
RiP Jimmy!
Very well done Professor, to me Survivor and so many other bands and musicians from this era are all about good songs and passion. Jimi is No1 in my book for all the reasons you mention in your video and out of the many fantastic songs Survivor has recorded, Desperate Dreams is my absolute top one. Perfection in every sense
I will always love the sound of Jimi & Survivor. My absolute favorite songs of the 80s. I Can't Hold Back, High on You...such amazing memories.
Instead of the Baywatch song I would have "Is this Love" and the songs would have a different ranking order. I am not capable of leaving that song out of his top 5. Great video man.
I love 'Is This Love'
One of our favorite bands of all time and vocalist!
Everyone thinks of 'Eye Of The Tiger' when you talk about Survivor but Vital Signs was so awesome to this 12 year old kid in the mid 80"s. 'High On You' and 'Can't Hold Back' were and still are great songs!!!
I agree. As much as I dig Eye of The Tiger, I consider the songs on Vital Sign's to be light years beyond. Tremendous songwriters and performance. Especially Jimi 🙏🙏🙏🙏
There's an interview on line with Jimi explaining how "The search is over" was actually recorded. Very interesting.
Good info. There's a lot I didn't know about Jimi and the band Survivor in this video, which shows how underappreciated their music is since it was all over the radio when I was growing up. I'm definitely going to give them a listen.
My top 5:
5: I See You In Everyone
4: Reach (Survivors 2006 Reach Album)
3: Across The Miles
2: Can't Let You Go
1: Cry Tough (From the 1999 JJ Survivor Empires Album)
I cant hold back....one of the best 80's tunes ever. Great list professor!
"Vital Signs" was a huge HUGE part of my teen years. Such a great album. Also Jimi did backing vocals on my favorite band, Molly Hatchet's "The Deed is Done" album around that time
Thanks for doing this video on Jimi Jamison, one of my all-time favorite singers.
My 5'er: 1 - I Can't Hold Back, 2 - I See You In Everyone, 3 - First Night, 4 - The Search Is Over, 5 - It's The Singer Not The Song . All of which, I am happy to say, were from Vital Signs. This album had a HUGE impact on me and I still listen to it for inspiration and to forget my troubles on a "bad day". It's the ultimate "feel good" album that does the trick every time I hear it. Also, the way Jimi's voice blends perfectly with Mickey Thomas on background vocals is just....AMAZING. What a combination!! Thank you for your spotlight on one of my "desert island" albums!!
"First Night" rocks!!! One of my favorites...
This is so appreciated man, thank you!!!
I never heard anyone as passionate as me about Jimi and Survivor until I saw this man!!!
Jimi Jamison, Brad Delp, Peter Cetera and so many other's ( I could go on and on) of Band's of all genre's had such a distinctive sound that's missing from Music now unfortunately...
I'm glad to have grown up in the time I did and experience Music like this on the Radio and real Record Stores (so long Tower, Record Bar, Turtles...)
Absolutely wonderful voice. Ah the good old '80s ;)
Man that's some next level color coordination from Jim Peterik, matching his hair to his jacket. Respect!
Looking back in time... A piece I published six months prior to Jimi's passing. Like all of you, I still grieve for this amazing human being that meant so much to us all.
****
Every once an awhile there comes an artist that stands the test of time and actually has the ability to change the course of ones life with their art, even if just for a moment. Whether it’s through the art of writing, painting, or singing in the case of Jimi Jamison. Jimi has most definitely lent his artistic gift of voice to breathe life into a song that would not have had the same powerful effect had someone else interpreted it. It seems that every decade a new rising music talent breaks through and if they’re fortunate he or she leaves a profound mark on a few. Jimi has been around for decades and he continues to persevere and not rest on his laurels. Jimi continues to do what he does best and that is simply to share his gift with as many of people that care to listen. For a vocal artist beyond what most would consider his prime years, Jimi continues to release new material at an alarming rate and shows no signs of slowing down. I’ve seen him perform several times since the 80s and can say without hesitation that his voice actually resonates at a higher degree now verses then. His stage performance along with his ability to communicate with the audience during and after the show truly displays that he knows who he is and is grateful for what he has, a true gentleman and artist.
I was fortunate to see Jimi perform live several times with Survivor and with his own group since the 80s. I was honored as I was one of the many who got to speak with him on more than one occasion. I can truly say that he was A Cut Above the Rest.
Top 5 songs featuring Jimi Jamison...man that's almost impossible.
5. I See You In Everyone
4. I Can't Hold Back
3. Man Against the World
2. Never Too Late
1. Burning Bridges
Everyone should own Jimi's last LP NEVER TOO LATE
I love that LP as well. Crossroads Moment however is Jimi at his most reflective and mature. Lyrics and voice combine to tell the story of his life. I read that he and Peterik got together and just talke for hours about life and spirituality, and Jimis kids, just all kinds of things. Peterik went off and wrote like a madman using all that. He said he loved writing for Jimi, his voice was an inspiration for his song writing that no other vocalist could match. The song AS IS makes me sob everytime I hear it. It speaks of a man that is reflective of his life. He regrets his mistakes but underneath knows he has done so much good as well and that he is worth redeeming when he stands before God at judgement and grace will make him accepted AS IS.
@@lehcaraz1 Shortly after his mom passed I was at one of his shows. Jimi sang As Is acapella and dedicated the song to her. I wish I had enough space in my digital camera at the time to have recorded him.
I stumbled across the Vital Signs and When Seconds Count albums in 2018 in the beginning of my AOR obsession. I noticed the melodies and songs were beyond catchy but it didn't take me long to realize the vocalist himself was something special. It was after watching "I see you in everyone" Live in japan video on youtube that the legend was put into human form haha. It took me less than one summer in 2020 to find every single one of their records on vinyl and I now own two copies of vital signs. Been obssessed with survivor for a few years now, I didnt know this many people loved jimi jamison as much as me. Without MTV there was really no gage on how strong of a band they were and I think that's Magical in its own right!
Similar story for me -- I "re" - discovered Survivor & Jimi about 3 years ago, during the pandemic, when I went on YT looking for '80s music I remembered hearing on the radio back then (I was in high school then, but we didn't have MTV, so I never had seen any of the videos!) I remembered hearing their main hits on the radio, "High on You" was the first I searched for, it stood out because of that heavy synth opening. And as I was watching it, I began to wonder, who's that dark-haired guy in the video? 😅
So that began my obsession with Survivor, reading about the band, watching a bunch of their videos, & finally being able to identify each member (could not believe the "dorky guy with the huge glasses", in the early videos, was actually Jim Peterik, the co-founder!) I read his biography, "Through the Eye of the Tiger", & have since had the honor of meeting him at a Memphis event honoring Jimi, & he signed the book & chatted & took some pics --- also a very nice, down to earth Chicago guy, didn't act like a "celeb" at all! And I got to meet & chat with Jimi's widow Debbie at another such event also in Memphis, she was great, a very sweet lady, & still has her own band she performs with. There's yet another event coming up next week (Memphis, & some of Jimi's friends & family there, have been diligent in honoring his memory), so I'm hoping to possibly say hello to Debbie & Mr. Peterik again.
Jimi Jamison was inducted into the Memphis Music Hall of Fame just last year (2023) & Jim Peterik was inducted into the Illinois Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, a few years back, but as many have said, Survivor, the entire band, should really be in the main Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.
Btw, that video of "I See You in Everyone" live in Japan, is my absolute favorite live performance of Survivor's so far -- I've only seen just a few -- I even liked Frankie Sullivan's long guitar solo, & I'm not really a fan of the sound of electric guitars in general, & am not at all musically inclined -- but even I could see what an awesome performance that was!
Jimi could break your heart with 4 bars!! Great piece man.
loved jimi a great talent and his voice a rock classic
You managed to break my heart. I didn't realize how much I missed Jimi until now. He will always be missed, but his music will live on forever. And my favourite will always be "Moment of Truth".
I adore your videos dude but I am so glad you covered Jimi! The most underrated singer of the Rock era!
Couldn’t agree more Jimmi was a phenomenal singer.
Yes he was,!💕
Jimi was and will always be one of the best to ever do it.
I can’t hold back was even better live than it was on the radio. Best song I have ever seen performed. He was everything you described and more in person.
Jimi was an Amazing singer and human being!!! God Bless him and thanks for featuring him!!!
Thanks for this video! Survivor is and was the band that started it all for me with Dave Bickler on Eye of the Tiger and it was a surprise when Jimi joined the band (Canada being out of the loop of Chicago music news) but he ended up inspiring me personally with Is this love, as I used that song to perform an air band at my high school air band competition.