Survivor: Official "What's Going On?" Thread

[Andrew]

Confused. This one snuck in under my radar, they kept it very quiet.

My guess is that Jimi's voice ain't what it used to be.

[survivorfan2005]

Either that or he has so many other things going on, he dosn't have time for Survivor... It is realy wierd that it happened so close to the "Reach" release. What do you think about this Robin character?

[Andrew]

Robin's awesome...top bloke.

[survivorfan2005]

I wonder why we were kept in the dark from the band...

[johnroxx]

I will believe it whenever I see official confirmation by any of the band members or Andrew.

Believe it. I got a press release today from the band's publicist (who, BTW, is also Journey's publicist) confirming Robin's induction into the band.

;^)

[ForceInfinity]

Andrew...just from having seen him live here in Reno NV, I can say for a fact that his voice isn't what it used to be. He seems to have picked up a habit lately of doing this scream at the highest pitch at the top of his lungs. All I can say is it just didn't sound good, like his voice was breaking badly during that. Having done something like that before I know it doesn't do your vocal chords any favors. Then there's the bit where he didn't want to do certain songs, and Frankie saying that he's tired of cynical old people (Jimi anyone?) and you got this mess.

I wonder if there's going to be another lawsuit Survivor mess over this

[survivorfan2005]

Man, i'm going to miss Jimi. I'm going to have to give Amy a call whenever I get a chance to see if she has any inside information about this and maybe get to talk to Jamo... I got Robin's email and sent him a message.. hopefully I can get an insite.



The new Survivor

[Journey/Survivor]

Yes, Kevin Chalfant was almost the lead singer of Survivor back in 1984 when Jimi Jamison became the lead singer.

I believe Jim Peterik wanted to go with Chalfant but the rest of the band wanted Jamison.

I was hoping that Jamison would stay in Survivor, but I would have been happy with Dave Bickler being back or even Chalfant joining. But I don't see Chalfant being in Survivor unless Jim Peterik is too.

[survivorfan2005]

check out these articles.. I guess you cant get more official than Andrew and all of the news.

http://news.google.com/news?hl=en&ned=& ... auley.html

[Vladan]

Has anyone heard Robert Tepper in the last 8-10 years? I haven't. But I liked his voice. And imagine how many Rocky songs the audience would get THEN!!

Tepper was awesome. Have you seen the "no easy way out" video - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6-ns2cZ2 ... t%20tepper - lol!.

Angel Of City is a good song aswell, Cobra soundtrack.

[Vladan]

Confused. This one snuck in under my radar, they kept it very quiet.

My guess is that Jimi's voice ain't what it used to be.

Man this band aint what it use to be, and im bummed. This sux. Music is great, but too many changes in great bands, and I don't mind if the guy's voice isn't what it use to be, geeez these guys are not young anymore, and replacing the lead won't change their age.

[styxman]

Apologies to just drop in and out of this thread, but I'm confused. It's says Bickler was the singer on Eye of the Tiger and Jamison joined for vital signs. I always thought it was Jamison who was singing while walking along in the EOTT video...so I'm wrong it was Bickler. Survivorfan2005 - this picture is Jamison - right or wrong!
Put me right please!

[DerriD]

This news really sucks for me because during 4th of July week, I was in Myrtle Beach and could have seen one of the last (if not THE last) show with Jimi. I am kicking myself for not going. The only reason I didn't was that they were playing the night we arrived and I didn't feel like getting in the traffic when I didn't have a ticket in hand.

I don't get the change at all, especially after they worked so long to FINALLY put out new material. It's not like they were selling out arenas in the first place. Oh Well.

[RobG]

OK,
This is a bad day for me. I love Survivor and to hear this news!
Over on ConcertShows they have a press release from Jamison's management
http://www.concertshowsmagazine.com/blog/BREAKINGNEWS

It says:
"Jimi Jamison rated by Kasey Kaseem as one of the greatest Rock Vocalists of All-Time resigned in early 2006 from Survivor over creative, contractual and long term simmering business differences with Frank Sullivan. Jamison who has been in the forefront of the band on most of the hit songs that the band had in the top 10 has been miffed in recent years by the bands use of his vocal performances on records and in movies, films etc. without payment for his vocal performance. Creative differences also between Jamison and Sullivan over the direction of the music, the quality of the songs and their creative content have led Jamison to say enough is enough."

Rob

[Red13JoePa]

Confused. This one snuck in under my radar, they kept it very quiet.

My guess is that Jimi's voice ain't what it used to be.

Man this band aint what it use to be, and im bummed. This sux. Music is great, but too many changes in great bands, and I don't mind if the guy's voice isn't what it use to be, geeez these guys are not young anymore, and replacing the lead won't change their age.

Bingo. I don't care if the voice has lost a mph or 2 off the heater. I thought on the album they took advantage of that maturation brilliantly. And the thrill of having Droubay back with JJ and Sullivan was super. You work around that as Foreigner did w/ Gramm at the end. Unfortunately, the personalaties of Sullivan and likely Jamo did not mature as well as Jimi's voice.

BTW, I also own the Cobra sdtk...great stuff.

[Red13JoePa]

OK,
This is a bad day for me. I love Survivor and to hear this news!
Over on ConcertShows they have a press release from Jamison's management
http://www.concertshowsmagazine.com/blog/BREAKINGNEWS

It says:
"Jimi Jamison rated by Kasey Kaseem as one of the greatest Rock Vocalists of All-Time resigned in early 2006 from Survivor over creative, contractual and long term simmering business differences with Frank Sullivan. Jamison who has been in the forefront of the band on most of the hit songs that the band had in the top 10 has been miffed in recent years by the bands use of his vocal performances on records and in movies, films etc. without payment for his vocal performance. Creative differences also between Jamison and Sullivan over the direction of the music, the quality of the songs and their creative content have led Jamison to say enough is enough."

Rob

Hm. Wow, so this provides the bg on JJ's disgruntlement. I see sentance #2 as the crux of the matter and if this is true shame on you, FS.

[TageRyche]

Robin's awesome...top bloke.

Robin is a great singer. I thoroughly love the 3 MSG albums he performed on. However, I want to know the story behind this lineup change. If it's a case where Jimi Jamison just wanted out fine, but if it turns out there's some typical band stupidity going on here, I'm going to be pissed.

[TageRyche]

OK,
This is a bad day for me. I love Survivor and to hear this news!
Over on ConcertShows they have a press release from Jamison's management
http://www.concertshowsmagazine.com/blog/BREAKINGNEWS

It says:
"Jimi Jamison rated by Kasey Kaseem as one of the greatest Rock Vocalists of All-Time resigned in early 2006 from Survivor over creative, contractual and long term simmering business differences with Frank Sullivan. Jamison who has been in the forefront of the band on most of the hit songs that the band had in the top 10 has been miffed in recent years by the bands use of his vocal performances on records and in movies, films etc. without payment for his vocal performance. Creative differences also between Jamison and Sullivan over the direction of the music, the quality of the songs and their creative content have led Jamison to say enough is enough."

Rob

Well this doesn't strike me as something that's going to end well. This could end up bringing us back to the big lawsuit era before Jamison rejoined Survivor. I'm so sick of this crap.

My question is, if this statement is in fact true, why in the world did Jamison sing material he was unhappy with or felt wasn't quality material?

This makes all of us who really liked Reach look like idiots when someone in the group considers the material subpar.

[survivorfan2005]

This is Robin,

I think he looks like Steve Perry..You guys know what this means? I've got to chance my avatar and sig... I'm going to miss JJ, but at least we can still hear him in his new nightclub in Memphis. I think I might be getting a job there.. and his new band, I really enjoyed his solo albums

too bad we won't be seeing this anymore...


i'm really gonna miss the glasses

[styxman]

Thanks for the pics...I'm still totally confused. On the MR notes it states JJ joined in '84 (Vital Signs) but if my memory serves me right I'm sure judging by the pictures it was him singing lead in the Eye of The T...video...but according to Andrew's notes he wasn't in the band then! Rather than trawling the net could you just let me know if it was it JJ singing EOTT in that Video or Robin. Sorry to be a pain!

[Red13JoePa]

Sfan05 my $ is still on a reunion of the Sullivan/Peterik/Jamison/Droubay/Ellis lineup in '07, '08 and you'll prolly read it on this site first.

[Journey/Survivor]

Dave Bickler was the original lead vocalist in Survivor from 1977-1983.
Bickler had a throat problem much like Steve Augeri does now, so Bickler stepped down from the band.

Then in 1984 Jimi Jamison became the new lead singer of Survivor and left in about 1889.

In 1993 Dave Bickler came back into Survivor and stayed until he was replaced in about 1999 or 2000, and it was Jimi Jamison that replaced Bickler once again at that time.

To answer your question, it was Dave Bickler that was the singer on EOTT and it was also him in the video.

[styxman]

Jimi Jamison became the new lead singer of Survivor and left in about 1889.

Holy Sh*t, JJ's voice must be shot if he left that long ago and kept coming back, done well to keep it going for 100 odd years

Thanks for clearing the lead singers up for me, they sure as hell look similar to me!

[survivorfan2005]

Dave's the one who always wears the beret.. He was the original Survivor. I'd love toh ear his vocals on "REACH". Anyhow, I'm sure we all have our doubts about Robin, but remember when Jimi first joined? there were some doubts about him as well. I'll give him a chance. I believe it will increase the fanbase more however.

[Lakrits]

I just wonder, why did Jamison quit, does someone know? or is it a secret

[TageRyche]

I just wonder, why did Jamison quit, does someone know? or is it a secret

Read the front page of the site for Jamison's press release for quitting.

[Journey/Survivor]

Jimi Jamison became the new lead singer of Survivor and left in about 1889.

Holy Sh*t, JJ's voice must be shot if he left that long ago and kept coming back, done well to keep it going for 100 odd years

Thanks for clearing the lead singers up for me, they sure as hell look similar to me!

That was supposed to read 1989 not 1889.


Actually Jimi Jamison's first album that he sang on was way back in 1973.

[survivorfan2005]

Seriously though, after listeing to some of his work with MSG he's really not that bad of a singer. I believe he'll be a great replacement for JJ. (no one can really replace him though ) His vocals will make FMS rock even more I believe ..... check this video with him in it
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EIa4Va498Gg

what do you tihnk about it?

[Journey/Survivor]

Seriously though, after listeing to some of his work with MSG he's really not that bad of a singer. I believe he'll be a great replacement for JJ. (no one can really replace him though ) His vocals will make FMS rock even more I believe ..... check this video with him in it
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EIa4Va498Gg

what do you tihnk about it?

My first choice would be for Jimi to still be in the band. My second choice would be for Bickler to come back. And my third choice would be Kevin Chalfant.

But since it doesn't look like any of those things are going to happen now I will say that Robin McCauley is a decent choice, and at least it shows that Survivor are stll capable of attracting a fairly big name singer in the band.

I think AND HOPE that Robin McCauley being in the band will get the band back into a harder Rocking direction.

As far as I'm concerned the two best songs on the Reach CD are Fire Makes Steel and Give Me The Word, and both of those songs are Rockers.

Actually I think Jimi wanted to Rock more but Frank is the one who took things into too much of a ballady direction.

I want them playing songs like She's A Star, Caught In The Game, Too Hot To Sleep, Children Of The Night, Rythm Of The City and Take You On A Saturday, as well as Fire Makes Steel and Give Me The Word!

[Red13JoePa]

Seriously though, after listeing to some of his work with MSG he's really not that bad of a singer. I believe he'll be a great replacement for JJ. (no one can really replace him though ) His vocals will make FMS rock even more I believe ..... check this video with him in it
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EIa4Va498Gg

what do you tihnk about it?

My first choice would be for Jimi to still be in the band. My second choice would be for Bickler to come back. And my third choice would be Kevin Chalfant.

But since it doesn't look like any of those things are going to happen now I will say that Robin McCauley is a decent choice, and at least it shows that Survivor are stll capable of attracting a fairly big name singer in the band.

I think AND HOPE that Robin McCauley being in the band will get the band back into a harder Rocking direction.

As far as I'm concerned the two best songs on the Reach CD are Fire Makes Steel and Give Me The Word, and both of those songs are Rockers.

Actually I think Jimi wanted to Rock more but Frank is the one who took things into too much of a ballady direction.

I want them playing songs like She's A Star, Caught In The Game, Too Hot To Sleep, Children Of The Night, Rythm Of The City and Take You On A Saturday, as well as Fire Makes Steel and Give Me The Word!

Agreed I'm ready to get behind McCauley as my new vocalist. But I don't wanna see ANOTHER singer change now unless/until they go back to Jamison. Lessee how this lineup and album ( yea OK) turn out. If it stumbles, we need the Vital Signs/Extended Versions/When Seconds Count heyday lineup reforming.