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

by **survivorfan2005** » Tue Jul 11, 2006 7:56 am

I think JJ's new website is cool... but for some reason it's difficult to see that he is even a member of survivor. It's really odd that JJ has so many bands such as RPM and his "all star band". How does the guy do it? Also, remember when he said he was going to do another solo album...interesting

I have also noticed that Dave's commercials for Budwiser have been stopped for some reason. Dave was a great singer in the Survivor lineup but he didn't have as many "hits" as JJ did. I think that with Dave's voice he could create some blockbusters, his voice somhow blends with the modern era while keepling and 80's rock feeling.

I liked the old survivor webpage but what are they going to do with this new one? Dunaway is gone from the band, and who know's who's next. The promotion of the new cd is not good at all, not even a US release date? Not smart on the financial front. Also JJ basicly said in the interview that making new cds weren't as good as used to be...hello, you have to promote to sell. I mean live concerts rule but we'd like to have new stuff now and then instead of waiting years for it. If live concerts are so importnant, why have they cancelled s many in the past few weeks and putting of the ones in Europe.

It is very convincing to me that a big change is going to be underway in the band howver there can be a lot of speculations though. What do you think? Is Bickler coming back and JJ leaving? What changes if any is taking place here? How do you feel about this?

by **silvergirl66** » Tue Jul 11, 2006 8:18 am

I'll be one of the happiest chicks on the planet if Dave comes back!

It has not been the same for me since JJ came back. I miss the camaraderie with fans who were true fans of the music, not a singer. Don't get me wrong, I think JJ is a great singer, but I like Dave better for many reasons. JJ just seems to have to many fans that are interested in what shirt he is wearing that day than the music. I never thought it was right for JJ to tour around under the Survivor name and I don't think it's right that he sings songs like EOTT and CITG, but that's just how I feel, you may all feel differently. The day Dave left in 2000 was a dark day for many true Survivor fans, me included. My theory is JJ was backed in a corner and had no choice but to come back to the band do to legal issues. All the brotherly love between JJ and FS is just BS to me. I HOPE HOPE HOPE Dave is coming back but I don't know, it's really hard to say what's going on.

by **Andrew** » Tue Jul 11, 2006 9:57 am

Did you guys not read my Frankie interview? There's no way Dave is coming back...

by **sherylrob** » Tue Jul 11, 2006 10:08 am

I totally respect your opinion RG but just think of all the great versions of songs the world wouldn't have if other's did not give their interpretation of them ? Andrew any comment on what is going on or when we will know ?

Sheryl

by **Andrew** » Tue Jul 11, 2006 10:16 am

sherylrob wrote: Andrew any comment on what is going on or when we will know ?

No one is talking...there was one change in the line-up - Barry Dunaway has been replaced by Billy Ozzello who was with the band from '98 until '03.

by **silvergirl66** » Tue Jul 11, 2006 12:42 pm

Maybe Andrew, but I didn't think there was any way in hell JJ would be back in the band, and look, Dave was replaced just like that. There was alot of bitterness at the time JJ was touring around as Survivor, so to this day I have a hard time believing JJ and FS are such good buddies. I know it's probably not possible Dave is coming back, just wishfull thinking here! If I were Dave, I wouldn't.

by **survivorfan2005** » Tue Jul 11, 2006 2:20 pm

Yeah, those were great interviews Andrew...you should be on VH1. hehe...

Anyhow, I don't think Bickler will be back in the band (I miss that beret) :p, but is there any other singers that could take JJ's place if he left? Steve Perry maybe? or even Robert Tepper who is a great vocalist as well

I believe that JJ and FS are good friends despite the lawsuits and such. Also, even as higly doubted, Jim Peterik could rejoin the band eventhough I think he's doing a great job with POL and his solo was pretty cool. He was one of the original vocalists in the band back when the band was first formed. I hope Jamison stays though.

by **Eyeof** » Tue Jul 11, 2006 11:43 pm

I'd have to agree a little with Rebel Girl. Sorry Andrew, but my past experiences have me pretty much not believing much Frankie says and how could anyone say they can read anything into his vibes. I mean, I don't think everyone realizes how bad he used to trash JJ all of the time, right up until he brought him back and drove the knife in Dave's back...

'I don't know why you lie, it makes no difference to me."

I'd love to see Dave back, but I think I would rather know that he told Frankie to pound sand. If nothing else...I wish that Dave was the singer of POL....or something like that.....

Did anyone else think that JJ's interview made it sound like he pretty much can't stand Frankie...who knows...

I mean he would not even say that he liked the album...He all but said he didn't...he was even saying stuff like, 'yeah that was better than i thought'...

and rebelgirl...hello...yes i remember you guys...those were the good old days of Survivor...The REAL Survivor....

by **Eyeof** » Tue Jul 11, 2006 11:44 pm

I'd have to agree a little with Rebel Girl. Sorry Andrew, but my past experiences have me pretty much not believing much Frankie says and how could anyone say they can read anything into his vibes. I mean, I don't think everyone realizes how bad he used to trash JJ all of the time, right up until he brought him back and drove the knife in Dave's back...

'I don't know why you lie, it makes no difference to me."

I'd love to see Dave back, but I think I would rather know that he told Frankie to pound sand. If nothing else...I wish that Dave was the singer of POL....or something like that.....

Did anyone else think that JJ's interview made it sound like he pretty much can't stand Frankie...who knows...

I mean he would not even say that he liked the album...He all but said he didn't...he was even saying stuff like, 'yeah that was better than i thought'...

and rebelgirl...hello...yes i remember you guys...those were the good old days of Survivor...The REAL Survivor....

by **silvergirl66** » Wed Jul 12, 2006 12:19 am

Survivor fan, If in fact they would replace their singer, I would hope they wouldn't do something stupid and replace him with anybody but Dave. I don't see JP ever coming back though that would be awesome in my book. He's moved on and doing his own thing. I think it would be great if Dave would do his own thing and produce a solo cd for us! He knows how to write and play several instruments, he could be his own man band.

by **Andrew** » Wed Jul 12, 2006 11:17 am

Eyeof wrote:I'd have to agree a little with Rebel Girl. Sorry Andrew, but my past experiences have me pretty much not believing much Frankie says ...

From experience I concur...but I still don't see Dave coming back. Will of course, keep my ear to the ground.

by **silvergirl66** » Wed Jul 12, 2006 12:12 pm

Thanks Andrew!!

by **LilKing** » Thu Jul 13, 2006 2:15 pm

This is a good title for a thread, as I know many people including myself, are wondering what the hell is going on. I gotta say that it is unfortunate, but extremely obvious that Jimi Jamison's best days are way behind him. As a long-time Survivor fan, especially of the JJ era...when I put on Reach I was really saddened to hear that Jimi could no longer elevate. Not only that, but the smooth and rich tone to his voice is gone. You know it's him, but he sounds so much deeper and is quite raspy. Voices don't last forever, JJ isn't 30 or 40 anymore and shit happens. It's not his fault. But when you haven't released an album since 1988...it's rather alarming when the vocalist has changed so much. More importantly, it's disturbingly alarming that Reach lacks any semblence of memorable hooks except for the title track. Even that would be considered at best a deep album cut on any other Survivor album. The only other song that is semi-decent is "Seconds Away", with a pleasant, repetitive, harmless melody accompanied by Jamison's 1-note vocal performance. Now we got some people who want Bickler back in the fold. And we have some who think he is terrible. Guess what - I never thought he was in the same league as JJ, but he sounds better on his "Real Men Of Genius" commercials than JJ sounds on Reach. It's sad but true. BUT THE REAL PROBLEM with Survivor today is the lack of quality songs. The fact is, Frankie Sullivan has shown little talent for writing without his old partner Jim Peterik. Jim is long gone but if you listen to the Pride Of Lions albums, there are plenty of gems. The melodies are abundant and most importantly, they are memorable. He has proven that he can write great music without Frankie Sullivan. But you can't say the same about Frankie. Andrew gave Reach an 85. That was the most generous review I've ever seen. Because if Reach is an 85, then Vital Signs, When Seconds Count and Too Hot Too Sleep were all about 200! I wish Survivor well and I hope they carry on as long as they can, but when you don't perform any songs from a new album on tour, well that speaks volumes. Things don't last forever and Survivor is one of these things. I have always been a fan and will continue to be, but aside from dishing out nothing but oldies every night, these guys are finished creatively.

- Ryan

by **MarcelJordan** » Thu Jul 13, 2006 6:03 pm

Got this from Wikipedia:

On the soundtrack album to the film Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy (2005), Ron states that he believes Survivor is "the best that ever was" and that "everyone else is an imitator" including The Beatles, Rolling Stones, Bach and Beethoven. He then goes on to point out that Survivor won't return his calls, which he understands because "They're Survivor and I'm not." He then introduces Who's That Lady by The Isley Brothers with the line "It's not Survivor, but it'll have to do."

Interesting no?

by **survivorfan2005** » Thu Jul 13, 2006 6:42 pm

Is that true? I've never heard that.... Anyhow, I guess anything's possible. I was wandering though, if JJ left who would you all like to see replace him if Dave didn't return?

interesting question... :?:

by **MarcelJordan** » Thu Jul 13, 2006 6:45 pm

survivorfan2005 wrote:Is that true? I've never heard that.... Anyhow, I guess anything's possible. I was wandering though, if JJ left who would you all like to see replace him if Dave didn't return?

interesting question...

I don't want even imagine anyone else taking the vocal ropes. But I wouldn't mind David Hidalgo of Los Lobos. Have you heard this guy sing?

by **LilKing** » Fri Jul 14, 2006 2:57 am

survivorfan2005 wrote:Is that true? I've never heard that.... Anyhow, I guess anything's possible. I was wandering though, if JJ left who would you all like to see replace him if Dave didn't return?

interesting question...

I'd love to see Robert Tepper or Kevin Chalfant fill the position. Though neither is at all likely, one can dream.

- Ryan

by **silvergirl66** » Fri Jul 14, 2006 3:19 am

I believe Kevin was in the running at one time, but don't quote me on that. He's really good.

by **Red13JoePa** » Fri Jul 14, 2006 3:33 am

Gotta keep the guy most (casual) fans id with at least for touring (revenue) purposes. That's Jamo even though paradoxically, Eye was the single biggest hit.

by **survivorfan2005** » Fri Jul 14, 2006 5:16 am

Actually, If Robert Tepper were to join I believe it would be cool seeing as he has kind of the same voice as Dave & Jimi. I am just wandering if were going to see something like the breajup before.... and why all this during the release of a new album?

by **jrnyman28** » Fri Jul 14, 2006 6:10 am

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!!

by **survivorfan2005** » Fri Jul 14, 2006 12:07 pm

Hey, has anyone heard of this?

July 13, 2006 -- Hot off the presses.former McAuley Schenker Group (MSG) frontman Robin McAuley has replaced Jim Jamison as the new lead vocalist for Survivor.

Jamison first joined the band in 1984 after original lead singer Dave Bickler encountered voice problems before a tour supporting the band's CAUGHT IN THE GAME album.

Bickler was a part of the group for their first four albums, SURVIVOR, PREMONITION, EYE OF THE TIGER and CAUGHT IN THE GAME. Survivor experienced their big breakthrough in 1982, when they were asked by Sylvester Stallone to provide the theme song for his movie "Rocky III." Enter "Eye of the Tiger," which soon turned into one of the biggest hits of the band's career. It had an enormous impact on the Billboard charts, soaring to #1 for seven weeks. The song won the band a Grammy® Award for "Best Rock Performance By A Duo Or Group With Vocal," was voted "Best New Song" by the People's Choice Awards and received an Academy® Award nomination. Thanks to the song's success and another Top 20 single, "American Heartbeat," the album EYE OF THE TIGER stormed to #2 on Billboard's "Top 200 Albums" chart. The song remains a cultural phenomenon. It came in at #18 on the "Top 100 Singles" chart in Billboard's 100th Anniversary issue and it's well over the 300,000 mark on iTunes, where it's currently holding strong at #9 on their "Top Soundtrack" chart.

The band's first album with Jamison, VITAL SIGNS, was another huge success for the band, peaking at #16 on Billboard's "Top 200 Albums" chart thanks to the hits "I Can't Hold Back" (which hit #13 on Billboard's "Hot 100 Singles" chart), "High On You" (# and "The Search Is Over" (#4). The record made Jamison an instant favorite and the writing team of Jim Peterik/Frankie Sullivan were solidly footed into the business of writing hits. VITAL SIGNS is still praised by fans and critics alike as one of the best AOR albums of all time.

Between 1993-1996 the band re-teamed with Bickler after Jamison left the band to pursue a solo career. Fast forward to 2000, when Bickler left the group once again and ultimately resulted in Sullivan re-establishing a partnership with Jamison to head up Survivor once more. The band continued to retain their popularity, playing concerts in North America, Europe, and Asia year after year.

The band has crossed paths with McAuley here and there over the years, but now is finally the right time for them to join forces. As guitarist Frankie Sullivan explains, "I first met Robin in 1988 when my good friend and Grammy® Award-winning engineer, Frank Filipetti, felt in his gut that Robin and I would be really comfortable together and that meeting would lead to great times and great music. Frank had just completed working on MSG's ANYTIME album, which included the Top Ten hit 'Anytime,' which Robin wrote. At the same time, Frank was mastering Survivor's TOO HOT TO SLEEP. It was some twist of fate, though I will tell you Frank Filipetti has one great gut!"

He continues, "When we made the decision to replace Jamison, I had no idea what we would do. Then it hit me--Robin McAuley! Is he available? How can he possibly be available?! Can I be lucky yet again in my career to work with such a talented singer? Well, the short answer, he was available, we gave him the songs of a set list we would perform, he came to the Windy City and blew our socks off! Robin is a pure pleasure to work with and he's such a great person. With Robin, what you see is what you get. And boy do you get it!"

This is assured to put the bite back into the tiger and the Survivor camp is ready to break loose from its cage. "I'm very excited at this opportunity to sing for Survivor," says McAuley. "I can only hope the Survivor fans give me a fighting chance. Frankie and I have worked together in the past I am extremely excited to start writing with him again and playing with a great bunch of guys. This new Survivor promises to be full of energy, and with such a stable of awesome tunes to pick from, who knows what each show will bring. I'm ready!"

Drummer Marc Droubay adds, "We have played the same set list for five years. Having a singer of Robin's caliber allows us to change up the set list and give the fans the opportunity to hear songs live they have asked to hear for years! Songs they have never heard live before."

The new and current line-up-Robin McAuley (vocals), Frankie Sullivan (guitar), Marc Droubay (drums), Chris Grove (guitar/keyboards) and Billy Ozzello (bass)-are hard at work on a new studio album which they hope to release in 2007.

"So we embark on a totally new Survivor," says an ecstatic Sullivan. "One that for the first time in many years is based on music and performing. Robin loves the fans and is no doubt one of the best front men I have ever known! I guess it's the luck of two Irishmen, McAuley/Sullivan finally taking its place in time and where it belongs, making music and making fans happy!"

www.survivormusic.com

http://www.metalsludge.tv/phpBB2/viewto ... 6469ce3e91

Who is this guy?

by **Wally_Hatchet** » Fri Jul 14, 2006 12:30 pm

Same article as above posted here:

http://www.modernguitars.com/archives/002090.html

These are Robin McCauley's two most famous songs that I know (80's):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nOK4eQW1544

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NWRd5FzeCus

by **survivorfan2005** » Fri Jul 14, 2006 1:20 pm

I will believe it whenever I see official confirmation by any of the band members or Andrew He's got a good voice, I mean he's no Bickler or Jamison but he reminds me of the scorpions.. wonder what he'll sound like on Fire Make Steel or Eye of The Tiger... I hope he dosn't still have that big hair. hehe... Anyone else got any comments on this guy.. (I would've chosen Tepper.

by **Wally_Hatchet** » Fri Jul 14, 2006 1:21 pm

survivorfan2005 wrote:He's got a good voice, I mean he's no Bickler or Jamison but he reminds me of the scorpions.. wonder what he'll sound like on Fire Make Steel or Eye of The Tiger... I hope he dosn't still have that big hair. hehe... Anyone else got any comments on this guy..

Big hair is gone.

www.robinmcauley.com

by **survivorfan2005** » Fri Jul 14, 2006 1:24 pm

Hey... he looks like Steve Perry some!

I like 80's hairstyles though..

by **whocares** » Fri Jul 14, 2006 1:37 pm

I'm pretty sure that the "Real Men" Bud ad's just ran their course. They don't always live on forever.

IF Jimi was really out, then I'd say that really sucks and Frankie must be on some kind of power kick (again).

by **survivorfan2005** » Fri Jul 14, 2006 2:04 pm

I just wonder if there's going to be a law suit over Jimi singing some survivor songs... I doubt it because he helped write the big hits of the mid-late 80's, of course it was the same scenerio as last time he left. The only reason Jim Peterik has the right to sing survivor songs is because he was the co-founder of the band.

Anyhow, what about the album that is said to be released with him? what songs will they use?... Does anyone know if the site this story was reported on credible?

by **Andrew** » Fri Jul 14, 2006 2:32 pm

He's gone, but no one is talking...

by **survivorfan2005** » Fri Jul 14, 2006 2:35 pm

thanks for the confirmation Andrew! If anyone should know it's you. What's your take on all of this?

MR

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

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

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