www.frankiesullivan.com

[Joe Vana]

Jesus Christ, this board is far too polite and nice. This place sucks.

F^&% You Deano hahahahah...

Yes....down here we practice safe posting hahha....

Happy Holidays!!

JV

[survivorfan2005]

yeah, what joe said..after all this isnt the journey board...

[Journey/Survivor]

Here's my opinion in response to a few of the things said in this thread...

I play guitar and love to listen to great guitarists. In my personal opinion Frankie Sullivan is a great guitarist.
In terms of technical talent there are much better players out there than Sullivan. But what makes him a great guitarist in my book is the tremendous feeling and emotion in his playing, his great melodic playing, great tone and great riff and rhythm playing. As far as what I like to hear in a guitarists playing only Neal Schon ranks ahead of Sullivan on my list, with some guys like Steve Lukather, Josh Ramos and Dan Huff not far behind. Even then I like Sullivan's riffs even better than Schon's. Again, Sullivan doesn't have the speed and flash or technical prowess of many guitarists, but he more than makes up for it with great emotional, melodic playing.


Jim Peterik is also an excellent guitarist. I've always known that he's really good on guitar, but in the last few years I've found out that he's much better than I had realized for most of these years. He has most of the same qualities in his playing as Sullivan has in his playing. I still have to give a little bit of an edge to Sullivan on guitar, however. But I can certainly see why Peterik wanted to start playing some guitar in Survivor once again, back in the mid 90's.

I consider Peterik and Sullivan to be pretty equal as lead vocalists. Their both good on lead vocals, but don't compare to Jamison or Bickler, or other top vocalists like Steve Perry, Lou Gramm, Joe Lynn Turner etc. Their both really good backing vocalists. As a lead singer Peterik is a little more soulful sounding, and Sullivan has a better higher range. Peterik is good enough to handle lead vocals on a solo album or in the Ides Of March, or co-lead in Pride Of Lions, but he would have had no business being the lone lead vocalist of Survivor.
Sullivan is a good enough lead vocalist for a solo album if he puts one out, and maybe a rare lead vocal on one Survivor song. But again, he would have no business being the lead vocalist of Survivor either.

The reasons that I've heard as to why Peterik left Survivor are that he wanted to be the lead vocalist in the band back in the mid 90's, but that Sullivan said no to that, that Peterik also wanted to start playing some guitar in the band again, and that Sullivan said no, and that Peterik didn't like that Sullivan was trying to turn the band into a blues band more-or-less.
As I already said, Peterik would have no business being the full time lead vocalist of Survivor. But I think that he should have been allowed to play some guitar in the band again.
As much as I love blues music, Survivor is not a blues band, and they should stick to being a Melodic Rock band.

As song writers, Sullivan is a great writer. But Peterik is in a league of his own as a writer. Sullivan can be a major contributor to writing great songs, but he appears to me to need to be teamed up with another good writer. I don't think that he can write very many songs by himself? I also think that even with another writer that isn't Jim Peterik he can't just pump out a lot of songs in a short time period.
Peterik, however, is a song writing machine. He can pump out great song after great song after great song, whether he writes the songs by himself or with a co-writer. So as good of a song writer as I consider Sullivan to be, Peterik easily wins that category in my opinion. But nothing beats songs that they've written together!

Sullivan has been the soul owner of the Survivor name for a number of years now. Perhaps Peterik should have never given up his co-ownership of the Survivor name? But he did, however. So Sullivan now as the legal right to do what he wants with the band. Although, he has some responsibility to try to give the fans what they want, because without the fans he'd just be playing guitar by himself in his house. And that is NOT meant as a slam, that goes for all musicians.

If Sullivan doesn't ever want to release another Survivor album ever again, that's his legal right. If he never wants to do another live show ever again, that's his legal right. But I do wish he'd take to heart the saying "Shit or get off the pot." I wish he'd either do big things with Survivor once again, or else sell the band name back to Peterik. But he doesn't seem to have the motivation to do much with the band anymore, and I don't think his ego would allow him to sell the band name back to Peterik?

Honestly, I wish that a third party owned the band name now and would just hire Peterik and Sullivan as independent contractors so-to-speak, as well as guys like Jamison, Bickler and Droubay.

It's sad to see grown men that are nearly 60 years old not be able to handle things in a more mature way. They should put the fans ahead of their ego's!

[Abitaman]

Very good post, and agree 99%. I, IMO, think JP is a lot better singer than FS, but agree with JP not fitting the Survivor sound.If Sullivan doesn't ever want to release another Survivor album ever again, that's his legal right. If he never wants to do another live show ever again, that's his legal right. But I do wish he'd take to heart the saying "Shit or get off the pot." I wish he'd either do big things with Survivor once again, or else sell the band name back to Peterik. But he doesn't seem to have the motivation to do much with the band anymore, and I don't think his ego would allow him to sell the band name back to Peterik? This is what needs to happen.

[Slander]

Dude....JP DID sing on Mecca...he did Backgrounds w

JV I meant lead vocals not background. By the way as a Survivor fan, I bought Mecca once I found out JP was involved so those who think for some reason I don't appreciate JP's talents are mistaken.

[DavidWT]

I think there's a lot of jealousy involved too. Frankie clearly resents the attention that JP gets (assuming he's talking about JP, which I don't think has been completely confirmed yet.) Comments like, "You were suddenly Sting! The sites out there said so. You do it all and you're amazing at it all" really make it sound like he's jealous of the praise JP (or whoever) has received since leaving Survivor.

No offense here guys. But have you listened to some of JP's solo stuff? Come on. Don't think FS is jealous at all. JP's is a terrific song writer but singer? Singer? Singer? Yeah FS is sure jealous of those pipes! And before you come down on me hard, I own JP's material because I dig the music. POL is great stuff. Solid hooks. 1st album by far is the best of the three. So when you say FS is jealous? What of? At last check JP is pretty regional. FS and Survivor play all over the US. Help me out here.

I don't think he's jealous of JP's singing, but it sounds like he resents the fact that websites praise JP so much. Maybe he feels slighted? Like, "Hey, I'M the guy heading Survivor, why are you all talking about HIM??" Again, I'm just guessing that's his feeling, based on the line: "You were suddenly Sting! The sites out there said so. You do it all and you're amazing at it all" Maybe I'm missing his point, though.

[Joe Vana]

I think there's a lot of jealousy involved too. Frankie clearly resents the attention that JP gets (assuming he's talking about JP, which I don't think has been completely confirmed yet.) Comments like, "You were suddenly Sting! The sites out there said so. You do it all and you're amazing at it all" really make it sound like he's jealous of the praise JP (or whoever) has received since leaving Survivor.

No offense here guys. But have you listened to some of JP's solo stuff? Come on. Don't think FS is jealous at all. JP's is a terrific song writer but singer? Singer? Singer? Yeah FS is sure jealous of those pipes! And before you come down on me hard, I own JP's material because I dig the music. POL is great stuff. Solid hooks. 1st album by far is the best of the three. So when you say FS is jealous? What of? At last check JP is pretty regional. FS and Survivor play all over the US. Help me out here.

I don't think he's jealous of JP's singing, but it sounds like he resents the fact that websites praise JP so much. Maybe he feels slighted? Like, "Hey, I'M the guy heading Survivor, why are you all talking about HIM??" Again, I'm just guessing that's his feeling, based on the line: "You were suddenly Sting! The sites out there said so. You do it all and you're amazing at it all" Maybe I'm missing his point, though.

This is a VERY small marketplace...Survivor is a worldwide household name (or at least Tiger is), Peterik and Sullivan individually are not. All this bickering and assuming who is pissed at what...THINK of this....the longest thread or at least the most active we have had in a few years is about ONE BLOG POST...of FRANKIES!!

NOT, something Peterik or JJ did...Hell, JJ just killed at Firefest and got what 3 or 4 posts if that???

Frankie holds the key to all that is Survivor right now....he holds the lightening rod...after years of everybody else doing things he still has 20 times the stroke because he still owns the name....like, or don't like it the proof is there....

I am switzerland on this....but I think the facts are just facts....

JV

[Michigan Girl]

I just saw Peterik at the LSU/Ole Miss HT show, he sang Vehicle and Tiger,
he has a fantastic voice. Most people/kids had no clue he wasn't the original Tiger vocalist,
but everyone knew the song and the name SURVIVOR!!!!

[axecrew]

Journey/survivor......A spot on excellent post !!!!!!!!!!!! I do believe that sullivan is jealous of the fact that even almost 15 years later...Jim Peterik still gets a ton of attention when it comes to survivor. I liken it to the kid who's an only child and how he acts out when no one is paying attention to him. Kinda "Hey look at me ,I'm over here." I truely believe it eats him alive to the point that MR. Positive has lashed out in a very negative way completely contradicting his mr. positive attitude as spoken about on survivor music.
Why Jim left survivor is, and will continue to be up, for speculation as no one has ever really commented on it. Who knows that might be going by the wayside since sullivan has opened this can of worms. Pretty different from the mr positive that was portrayed on survivormusic.com huh?

The one thing I keep coming back to in my mind is...Jim Peterik was very successful before survivior and has maintained that to some degree. Obviously nowhere near survivor in it's hayday. But survivor isn't anywhere near that now either so no harm,no foul there. sullivan was nothing before survivor and without it no one would know who he is. As for their songwriting ability.....I think most all(slander being the holdout) will agree that Peterik is a far superior songwriter to sullivan and the proof is in the bodies of work. Sullivan has really done nothing of note outside of his co-writing with....you guessed it that Peterik guy. Jim on the other hand....we don't have enough space or time to list what he's done both within and outside of survivor.
I guess maybe it's time for someone to put on his big boy pants.

[bulldog]

Blasted through some Survivor Music tonight . I really got inspired by the Too Hot To Sleep cd and the vibe. Caught In The Game too.

I found some of Robin's songs on youtube.com . The Business As Usual featuring Frankie Sullivan on guitar. Back in 1999 I think Frankie was really inspired . Both Robin's and Eddie Money's cd featured some great hooks from him. When The Rain Came sounded awesome with Frankie using Burning Bridges guitar solo in the song . He was spot on ..

I am a much bigger fan of vocalist and keyboard driven songs but there is no doubt that 1999 should have been the return of Survivor. The cds he did with other people sounded much better with his signature sound than he used on Reach.

Jimi's voice wasn't good on Reach but the music and songs didn't have that sound and excitement .

He has to have one more kick ass album of tunes in him . He is too good a talent not to be releasing something.

I still say do what Foreigner did. Foreigner wasn't doing well at all until they released that Extended Versions cd . Once people started to hear the new band they got a lot of attention . Mick Jones stayed the course and kept plugging away . Many people have come and gone with them as well ..

Re-record some of the old tunes and make a live cd !

[MarcelJordan]

I think there's a lot of jealousy involved too. Frankie clearly resents the attention that JP gets (assuming he's talking about JP, which I don't think has been completely confirmed yet.) Comments like, "You were suddenly Sting! The sites out there said so. You do it all and you're amazing at it all" really make it sound like he's jealous of the praise JP (or whoever) has received since leaving Survivor.

No offense here guys. But have you listened to some of JP's solo stuff? Come on. Don't think FS is jealous at all. JP's is a terrific song writer but singer? Singer? Singer? Yeah FS is sure jealous of those pipes! And before you come down on me hard, I own JP's material because I dig the music. POL is great stuff. Solid hooks. 1st album by far is the best of the three. So when you say FS is jealous? What of? At last check JP is pretty regional. FS and Survivor play all over the US. Help me out here.

I don't think he's jealous of JP's singing, but it sounds like he resents the fact that websites praise JP so much. Maybe he feels slighted? Like, "Hey, I'M the guy heading Survivor, why are you all talking about HIM??" Again, I'm just guessing that's his feeling, based on the line: "You were suddenly Sting! The sites out there said so. You do it all and you're amazing at it all" Maybe I'm missing his point, though.

This is a VERY small marketplace...Survivor is a worldwide household name (or at least Tiger is), Peterik and Sullivan individually are not. All this bickering and assuming who is pissed at what...THINK of this....the longest thread or at least the most active we have had in a few years is about ONE BLOG POST...of FRANKIES!!

NOT, something Peterik or JJ did...Hell, JJ just killed at Firefest and got what 3 or 4 posts if that???

Frankie holds the key to all that is Survivor right now....he holds the lightening rod...after years of everybody else doing things he still has 20 times the stroke because he still owns the name....like, or don't like it the proof is there....

I am switzerland on this....but I think the facts are just facts....

JV

Absolutely spot on there JV! I'd like to add that (it may be unfair for me to say it) is that whether it's JP or JJ, these two in particular the latter play MOSTLY Survivor songs. JJ sang only one if not two Crossroads tunes, the rest Survivor. Is this the only way they can bring in the crowd?

MJ

PS. It would have been great if JJ played some Cobra stuff too.

[Abitaman]

Survivor did an extend versions cds back around 99 I believe. It is a pretty good cd too. I have it, and listened to it not to long ago.
It would be cool if JJ did some Cobra and Target songs. have the 4 cds he did with those two bands, pretty good., they need to do a remaster of them. 2 of the 4 I have are recordings from record to cd. 1 is a studio tape (offical) and the last is a in the studio jam from a Memphis studio (with 1 song messed up).
As far as the FS comments, I am not knocking is ablity to play, just write. He is a good player and can set a style (mood) with his playing. He is a good co-writer with a strong co-writer. One of the reasons, IMO Reach was a little weak. JJ isn't the best writer, great singer, but JP was the best writer out of the bunch and he was missing from Reach. Heck Reach had demos from FIre Makes Steel (which was never released). Didn't JJ say he got tired of waiting on FS so they started pulling demos from that session.
I think FS and Robin may not be the best song writing team, and maybe a lack of material, up to standard.

[Red13JoePa]

Survivor's Extended Versions is a show from '85 though, whereas Bulldog is pointing out Foreigner put one out with their new lineup recorded in 05 and that cheapie package got the new lineup accessibility and buy-in that they didn't have right when Gramm rolled in 03.

They should rerecord and release the hits or put another live album out w/ the current lineup.

[Abitaman]

They should rerecord and release the hits or put another live album out w/ the current lineup.

Agreed!!!

[Slander]

I think FS and Robin may not be the best song writing team, and maybe a lack of material, up to standard.

Give Robin's "Business As Usual" a spin. Pretty good stuff. I would expect the next Survivor record to sound similar.

[Slander]

Absolutely spot on there JV! I'd like to add that (it may be unfair for me to say it) is that whether it's JP or JJ, these two in particular the latter play MOSTLY Survivor songs. JJ sang only one if not two Crossroads tunes, the rest Survivor. Is this the only way they can bring in the crowd?

MJ

PS. It would have been great if JJ played some Cobra stuff too.

Thank you MJ. Let's face it, JJ needs the Survivor catalog to perform. That's not a knock, it's just reality. It would be great if JJ busted out a little "Blood On Your Money." By the same token I think fans would be disappointed if JP didn't play the Survivor "hits."

[Abitaman]

I think FS and Robin may not be the best song writing team, and maybe a lack of material, up to standard.

Give Robin's "Business As Usual" a spin. Pretty good stuff. I would expect the next Survivor record to sound similar.

Will do.

[Abitaman]

By the same token I think fans would be disappointed if JP didn't play the Survivor "hits."

Would be like going to hear Dennis Deyoung or Steve Perry and them not playing anything from Styx or Journey

[Slander]

By the same token I think fans would be disappointed if JP didn't play the Survivor "hits."

Would be like going to hear Dennis Deyoung or Steve Perry and them not playing anything from Styx or Journey

Agreed but JJ never had the same solo success as DD or SP? Both DD and SP had very successful solo albums in the states.

[DavidWT]

This is a VERY small marketplace...Survivor is a worldwide household name (or at least Tiger is), Peterik and Sullivan individually are not. All this bickering and assuming who is pissed at what...THINK of this....the longest thread or at least the most active we have had in a few years is about ONE BLOG POST...of FRANKIES!!

NOT, something Peterik or JJ did...Hell, JJ just killed at Firefest and got what 3 or 4 posts if that???

True. I think there are two things to consider though. First, people like controversary and gossip. It's why tabloids like The National Enquirer and Star stay in business. How much is there really to say about JJ's performance at Firefest? "Sounded great!" "Awesome show!", etc. Not exactly exciting conversation. So we tend to latch on to stuff like this. I don't think it matters that it was Frankie who posted it. If, during Firefest, JJ got on stage and felt the need to lambast Frankie, I'm sure we'd be discussing that quite a bit, too. Or if JP started ripping apart either JJ or FS in an interview, we'd be discussing that. At this point, there's so little Survivor related news, we just take what we can get.

Frankie holds the key to all that is Survivor right now....he holds the lightening rod...after years of everybody else doing things he still has 20 times the stroke because he still owns the name....like, or don't like it the proof is there....

He does indeed hold the key. Now if only he'd do something with it.

He may be the lightening rod, which I assume is a negative thing, but he could also be the one to reap the benefits of the name if he'd start releasing new music again. If he's not interested in doing that, fine, but then why does he bash others for "not seeing the value in Survivor"?

Truth be told, though, if a new Survivor ever does get released (not holding my breath), I'd have a hard time really seeing it as a true Survivor album. For me, Survivor's sound is the combination of both JP and FS's writing. I don't think either one, on their own, could do it justice (though, I think JP would come a bit closer, based on what I've heard from him since he left Survivor.) A new album without JP's writing wouldn't be a Survivor album anymore than Crossroads Moment was a Survivor album (and, actually, I often think of Crossroads Moment as being a successor to Too Hot To Sleep more than Reach is.)

[axecrew]

JV.....Hey you are right...Frankie holods the key to survivor......problem is it appears someone changed the locks.

[Andrew]

I think FS and Robin may not be the best song writing team, and maybe a lack of material, up to standard.

Give Robin's "Business As Usual" a spin. Pretty good stuff. I would expect the next Survivor record to sound similar.

Will do.

I agree....should there ever be another Survivor album. I just don't see it coming. With Robin they can tour, but recording under the name Survivor with this line up is just a non-interest to all but the very die-hards.

[MarcelJordan]

I can say Im a die hard fan. For a little perspective, supposing we see Survivor, I expect Survivor songs MOSTLY.

MJ

[kgdjpubs]

I agree....should there ever be another Survivor album. I just don't see it coming. With Robin they can tour, but recording under the name Survivor with this line up is just a non-interest to all but the very die-hards.

Interestingly enough, I'm MUCH more interested in a new album than touring. No interest whatsoever seeing them live just covering the old material with a singer who sounds nothing like the other two, but new songs would be worth listening to. I'm sure I'm in the minority however, but without new material, they are simply a cover band at the moment.

[Abitaman]

I agree....should there ever be another Survivor album. I just don't see it coming. With Robin they can tour, but recording under the name Survivor with this line up is just a non-interest to all but the very die-hards.

I don't see it coming either, but can't help but want one. I would like to see one with Robin on vocals. Like we talked about above, do something the Walmart package way. rerecord the hits, a live cd of the hits and a new cd of new music. I am one of the fans like offbeat stuff, FS solo cd would be good, but know where near as good as a new Survivor cd. But one like to hear a "offical" cd of Robin doing the classic songs. Heck I have a boot where FS was sick and couldn't play a show so they hired someone to step in for the night. Was a good show, yes!! But it did not have that Survivor feel to it.
And I think that is where FS fits into the band, his playing lends a feel to the songs for than his writn or sing ablilty.

[Eyeof]

Maybe I am in the minority, but I have zero - that is 0 - interest in hearing McAuley sing any of the old material, especially any of Dave's songs....I think such murder of music would probably violate some type of international treaty laws...Now if he wanted to remake say, "Cum on Feel the Noise" or "Mama, We are all Crazee Now", I am all for it...But as for hearing that guy on pretty much any old (although there is no new) Survivor material, with two more minutes of Frankie's ego driving guitar solos added to each song...eehhh....what would be the point?

As for the blogs and all that, I don't know Frankie Sullivan, so I can't speak as to who or what he is. I can say that his rantings at times make him sound like a two-bit jealous spoiled punk brat...Again, that may not be who he is, but the shame of it is that in this world it is not what you say, but how people hear it.

[DavidWT]

I'm sure I'm in the minority however, but without new material, they are simply a cover band at the moment.

Completely agree. It's really not much different than when I went to see "Survivor" in 1995, and it turned out to just be Jimi Jamison and a bunch of people I never heard of performing Survivor's music. Fun show, but really just a cover band.

[Abitaman]

I'm sure I'm in the minority however, but without new material, they are simply a cover band at the moment.

Completely agree. It's really not much different than when I went to see "Survivor" in 1995, and it turned out to just be Jimi Jamison and a bunch of people I never heard of performing Survivor's music. Fun show, but really just a cover band.

I remember getting a boot of the band up in KY, listened to it wordering where were JP and FS. They had Ghost Rider In The Sky in the Set list and some of Jimi's When Love Comes Down cd also.

[DavidWT]

I'm sure I'm in the minority however, but without new material, they are simply a cover band at the moment.

Completely agree. It's really not much different than when I went to see "Survivor" in 1995, and it turned out to just be Jimi Jamison and a bunch of people I never heard of performing Survivor's music. Fun show, but really just a cover band.

I remember getting a boot of the band up in KY, listened to it wordering where were JP and FS. They had Ghost Rider In The Sky in the Set list and some of Jimi's When Love Comes Down cd also.

I just remember being a bit confused because they never introduced the band members, so for about half the show, I kept looking at the guitarist and thinking, "Wow, Frankie looks different in person. So does JP!" (eventually I realized it wasn't them.)
It was a fun show, but it had a drum solo that just never seemed to end. They also covered some Doors songs, though I can't remember which, and yes, they played some tracks from JJ's solo album, like "Rock Hard" and another one that I can't recall at the moment.

[Slander]

I a but without new material, they are simply a cover band at the moment.

Ouch! Strongly disagree here. This band is much more than just the voice! FS and Marc D are a vital part in the Survivor sound.