Frankie Sullivan

by **Slander** » Wed Feb 28, 2007 10:42 am

Hey Folks,

It's been awhile since I have sounded off on the board but once again it is time. Quite Frankly (no pun intendent), I don't understand all the Frankie bashing. My god. The venom is abnormal. Wether you like it or not Frankie Sullivan is a founding member of Survivor. He is and always will be a part of the Survivor sound. His guitar is very distinct. It's Survivor. I have to also laugh at all the 'REACH' bashing. When the album came out all of you were gushing. Jimi leaves the band and suddenly the album sucks. Frankie is an accomplished musician, songwriter and producer. Newsflash JJ is not! JJ is a great vocalist. I had the misfortune of seeing JJ and his band this summer after he left the group. JJ and his band are not Survivor. You can pretend they are but it's just karokee. The musicianship blew big time. One of the least professional shows I have ever attended. Can we all get along on the board here? You folks are in denial if you don't think that Frankie Sullivan is talented and a key part of what made Survivor so successful. I could careless what you think of him personally I'm just stating the facts. Jim Peterik is also a great songwriter and musician as well, but please don't tell me that POL is superior to Survivor. Sometimes I'm wondering if POL is auditioning for some Broadway production. Where's the rock n' roll? I look forward to individuals members of Survivor carrying on with their various projects. The variety will serve us fans well. I for one hope Frankie, Robin and the gang produce a rockn' album that makes us all step back and re evaluate our quick to judge opinions.

by **7 Wishes** » Wed Feb 28, 2007 10:47 am

You have disparaged people who have asserted Sullivan made a huge mistake getting rid of Jimi, closing the door on Jim P, and those who enjoy POL. Look back at the threads - not a whole lot of love for Reach when it first came out. YOU are the one standing in judgment. At the very least, FS is not a prolific songrwriter - 20 years to come up with 12 new songs. Jimi has penned more songs than that in the past two decades. Get your facts striaght and then try to remember YOU are being MUCH MORE expressive of an opinion than we have been.

by **montyollie** » Wed Feb 28, 2007 11:28 am

LOL I guess I'm the unique fan who loves Jimi, Jim and Frankie equally. I am so impressed with what came out of that union: the songwriting, the melodies and that voice. Wow. I think Survivor WAS what it WAS because all the stars aligned and the band made magic. Call me an old sentimental fart.

I don't care to get into the politics. I read on Frankie's blog in 2001 how he was all Rah Rah Bush after 9/11 and I just had to let that go, because he's entitled to his opinion and I love his music all the same.

If Jimi is just karaoke as you say, well then call me a crazed karaoke fan, because I'm going to see him next month. I love his voice and I love that he gives a shit about his fans.

Peterik I've not followed the way some of you guys have, but I will ALWAYS admire him for his talents for making Survivor what it was.

I really don't play favourites. I'm hot for Jimi but I use Frankie in my sig line. LOL

Jo

by **montyollie** » Wed Feb 28, 2007 11:30 am

Oh one more thing.

I ALSO love Dave Bickler. I think he has a distinctive voice and Eye of the Tiger is still one of my favourite albums, song for song.

So there you go.

And I love Reach. LOL

by **Red13JoePa** » Wed Feb 28, 2007 2:27 pm

Coupla points of contention, Slander.

Yes, I'm a MONSTER Jimi head. I think out of all our favorite bands' heydays ending in about '90 Jimi Jamison was the voice to beat. Period.

but I also love Survivor, which Frankie founded and Reach.

However, I just wish Survivor would WORK a little more. Play more shows. More importantly put out new releases more frequently. Give us a live album compiling all the best live moments beyond Ext Vers. Follow up Reach with another new record by 2008. And play way more shows. If you opt NOT to, then stop the propoganda behaving as though Survivor is still the hardest working band in music.

Frankie reamains, no matter WHAT happens from now on as a top 5 guitarist in my book. I just want to see us up the output a little.

by **AOR rules** » Wed Feb 28, 2007 10:14 pm

Slander wrote:When the album came out all of you were gushing. Jimi leaves the band and suddenly the album sucks. Frankie is an accomplished musician, songwriter and producer.

Yeah, I admit that I was one of those who praised “Reach” when it came out but I guess it was partly because I was so happy that finally it happened that there was new Survivor product after so long break. And as I said in other thread I still think that the song material is good, but the final product is not. For my opinion changing one key factor was one incident in last summer. I was listening some radio show and first they played one song from Journey “Generations” album and directly after that came song from “Reach” and it just was so that after Journey song that “Reach” song was very anti-climax and that made me re-think about my opinion on “Reach”. But I still stress that I am not questioning Frankie´s song writing abilities but questioning the performance and the production on “Reach”.

by **Destiny** » Thu Mar 01, 2007 6:36 am

... Sullivan and Peterik TOGETHER was Survivor 90 % of the Survivor Sound.
Both on their own are great but it can never Survivor like we know them.
POL are great, but there is missing "the dirty " in the Songs. Sullivan alone
made a good Job on Reach but I think we have to waite how McAulley´s voice inspire
his songwriting in the future. As an hardcore Survivor fan i pray for the day when
Peterik and Sullivan came back togehter and will it be only for one gig!#

sorry for my english, i´m german :wink:

by **Slander** » Thu Mar 01, 2007 6:43 am

Right on Destiny. Peterik and Sullivan made the Survivor sound. JJ is a great vocalist but Survivor existed long before he took the microphone.

by **Destiny** » Thu Mar 01, 2007 6:49 am

... nice that you guys understand my english.

. You speak from my heart Slander!!

by **Slander** » Thu Mar 01, 2007 7:13 am

Destiny I agree with you about "the dirty" sound. I always pictured Survivor as a rock band not a pop band. Originally the group had an edge to them. I almost gave up on the band after the cotton candy sound of When Seconds Count that's not to say there wasn't a few good tracks on that album.

by **AOR rules** » Thu Mar 01, 2007 11:35 pm

I don´t agree that POL is too pop. The new album has crystal clear production which may sound too clean to some ears but I like clear productions. And Toby´s vocals may have Broadway influence in some occasions but I think there is more than enough smoke and whiskey worn-out rough vocalists in the world of rock so there is always room for one Toby.

by **Slander** » Fri Mar 02, 2007 1:58 am

I own all POL albums and like them. Having said that they have a certain "cheese" factor to them. As Simon Cowell would say they are a bit "cabaret". I want my rock n' roll back.

by **axecrew** » Fri Mar 09, 2007 12:22 pm

Red joe....I think you both have made a mistake......Jim Peterik invited FS to join his band,not the other way around thus Jim founded the band,not FS.
7 wishes is right on the money with the comments.Without Jim, Frankie can't and hasn't written a decent song ever.Yet Jim continues to write with a ton of people.The reason Frankie's guitar is so prominent in the songs is the same reason he feels he has to do a 25 minute solo every night.His EGO is HUGE!!!!!!! Too bad to 'cause if he'd clean himself up he might still be decent.

by **Red13JoePa** » Sat Mar 10, 2007 1:27 am

OK, Axe we can split hairs.

Frankie's "merely" a founding member of Survivor, along with Peterik. :roll:

Yes, Peterik's been prolific without Frankie but I agree with some here who've said that quantity in that department does not equal quality. Neither guy's as good creatively w/ out the other but I think Survivor's Reach is better than the JP stuff w/ out Frankie.

I know some of Reach are Peterik co-writes, too but we've already had some JP people on the site complain that Survivor changed the the Peterik cowrites on Reach around too much for their pallates.
I would sumbit that those changes and polishes particularly in the case of FMS are for the better.
Not saying Peterik and the rest of the Vital Signs lineup wouldn't be a dream come true but I cannot accept that argument that Survivor and Frankie are nothing without JP.

by **Slander** » Sat Mar 10, 2007 1:28 am

Frankie has no talent what so ever. Damn he's lucky he can pick up a guitar! He's an awful musician. Damn thank you jimi and jim for gracing Frankie with your presence. This board is friggin' rediculous. Like I said when I started the post the amount of venom being spewed Frankie's way isn't warranted. You all need to get some lives.

by **7 Wishes** » Sat Mar 10, 2007 11:01 am

Slander, you're an idiot. No-one is being venomous to Frankie. He's a great guitarist, and a great co-writer, and a great soloist, and he's one of my top 25 axemen. HOWEVER, he's not a great songwriter without Jim. And Robin's a good singer, but it's a joke to try to pass that band off as Survivor with only two original members. You are out of line, and YOU need to get a life. Deal with it!

by **survivorfan2005** » Sat Mar 10, 2007 1:10 pm

Come on guys, we don't want to be like the Journey board now do we?

Besides if anyone can do better than FS, prove it. Don't make bogus claims withough the facts to back it up.

by **7 Wishes** » Sat Mar 10, 2007 2:59 pm

Um...no offense, Survivorfan2005, but the proof is in the lack of pudding. ONE studio album and 12 tracks in 20 years for Sullivan, SEVEN albums and over 100 co-writer credits for Peterik. Frankie is a slammin' axeman, an incredibly gifted guitarist for one of my 10 all-time favourite bands. He just doesn't cut the mustard as a songwriter, and that makes him less talented than Peterik, IMHO.

Besides, I lost a lot of respect for Sullivan after I found out he'd gone on that hunting trip in Nova Scotia and clubbed five baby seals to death.

by **Abitaman** » Sun Mar 11, 2007 12:49 am

Frankie is an good axeman. But I could do without his extended solo during the show. After 3 minutes I'm ready for them to get back to a sing. Who is better Frankie or JP? I have to go with JP just because he has put out more to compare by, which all have been high quality or very close to it. Reach is good but not has good I had hoped for after the long long wait between cds. I have a feeling the new cd (if it doesn't take forever to get released) will surprise people by how good it is. But will it sound like Survivor?-ERIC

by **survivorfan2005** » Sun Mar 11, 2007 12:59 am

Well guys, if you've heard Robin's Business as Usual album then you can get a good Idea of what it'll be like. I loved that cd!

by **Slander** » Sun Mar 11, 2007 4:26 am

Survivorfan 2005 you are right on the money! As in Eddie Money. Ready Eddie is another great record! These people can call me names all they want (proving my point) but Frankie Sullivan is very responsible for the Survivor sound. It's that simple. From the harmonies to the guitar. Amazing so many people have nothing good to say about Frankie but when you try to point something out you get jumped on. You Jimi fans sure are sensitive.

by **7 Wishes** » Sun Mar 11, 2007 4:36 am

Slander, READ THE POSTS. You can read, right? WE ALL LIKE SULLIVAN. Just process the information.

I think YOU ARE Frankie Sullivan, you're so vehemently backing him up. The thing is, you don't need to. We all dig FS. We just contend he's not the best songwriter out there, that's all.

by **Slander** » Sun Mar 11, 2007 4:49 am

7 you are falling all over yourself. Yes I have read the posts. Like I said you Jimi people can't help yourselves. You have no name call or be classless. I get it. By the way how do you know how many songs Frankie has written over the years? Isn't it his decision whether or not he wants to record them. It's his art. In the meantime you Jimi people can continue with your negative vibe. In the meantime I eagerly await the next Survivor album.

by **7 Wishes** » Sun Mar 11, 2007 5:08 am

You know, life is too short to engage in diatribes with gramatically challenged, obsessive ditto-heads like you, Slander. You and your alter ego, Frankie, may continue to ignore what you choose and refuse to comprehend basic principles of intelligent debate. You haven't "won", as your arguments aren't even predicated on the concept of "point/counterpoint" or even contradiction. You have merely succeeded in making me realize that I'd rather be listening to Boston and, yes, Survivor, than attempting to extract even a fraction of validity or coherent structure from your temperamental assertions.

Slander Simpson: My ears are burning.
Lisa Simpson: I wasn't talking about you, Dad.
Slander Simpson: No, my ears are really burning. I wanted to see inside, so I lit a Q-tip.

by **Slander** » Sun Mar 11, 2007 5:16 am

7 you can't help yourself. The name calling. 7, you deny that you name call? I must have read the board wrong. I'm proud of Frankie's body of work. I'm sorry you are not. I am not trying to engage anyone in debate. I merely will not tolerate the trashing of Frankie Sullivan on this board. Diatribe? It would be an understatement to call you a hypocrite so I won't. I apologize for the typo's. I didn't realize you were the grammar police 7. We will spell check and grammar check next time.

by **7 Wishes** » Sun Mar 11, 2007 5:22 am

"We". That proves my point. YOU ARE Frankie Sullivan. Dude, I'm not disparaging your very apparent skills as an axeman. I just happen to think that Jim Peterik is a superior songwriter. That's all. You still rock, and Survivor remains one of my favourite bands. However, Slander Sullivan, I will not pay money to see the band in its present incarnation, and I'm hardly alone. Firing Jimi was a poor business decision that has also alienated most of your fans.

"Don't blame me! It's the percadan. If you ask me, that stuff rots your brain ... And now a word from our new sponsor ... Percadan, oh crap!"
- Krusty

by **Red13JoePa** » Sun Mar 11, 2007 10:19 am

Slander.
True, I rip Frankie. But only because I'm disapointed in the amount of output since 1988. I love the guy as a player and think he's an amazing guitarist as well as a good writer. I could never rip Frankie Sullivan's musical talent with a straight face. The guy's talent is practically singular, he's is a force to be reckoned with on the axe.

But when you go on the rants about "You Jimi people" this and "Jamison's band was garbage" and "have fun pouring drinks" this, you seem to be doing the very thing your accusing the board of doing with Frankie. Resenting Jimi Jamison.
What is it you can't stand about JJ? Because you don't rip Peterik nearly as much as Jimi.

by **Abitaman** » Mon Mar 12, 2007 12:24 am

Red13JoePa wrote:Slander.
True, I rip Frankie. But only because I'm disapointed in the amount of output since 1988. I love the guy as a player and think he's an amazing guitarist as well as a good writer. I could never rip Frankie Sullivan's musical talent with a straight face. The guy's talent is practically singular, he's is a force to be reckoned with on the axe.

But when you go on the rants about "You Jimi people" this and "Jamison's band was garbage" and "have fun pouring drinks" this, you seem to be doing the very thing your accusing the board of doing with Frankie. Resenting Jimi Jamison.
What is it you can't stand about JJ? Because you don't rip Peterik nearly as much as Jimi.

Well said. I have nothing against Frankie. Just what has he done for the Survivor name for the past 18 years. He is a good player and writer, but to be good you need to go out there or pull a Perry-ERIC

by **Slander** » Tue Mar 13, 2007 1:06 am

I think the fact the Frankie has kept Survivor alive is a testament to his abilities. Let's be honest a handfull of 80's bands are even around. As far as output, we all know hundreds of songs have been penned over the year but the band could not find a proper label. I admire Frankie for not releasing an album that wouldn't get proper distibution and marketing. What would be the point? By all acounts Reach was a success. They have found a home at Frontiers. It seems like a good fit. Now let's see what happens.

by **silvergirl66** » Tue Mar 13, 2007 1:35 am

7, obviously, you are totally clueless. Jimi QUIT! he wasn't fired! And Slander isn't Frankie! LOL! Too funny. Frankie has fought for Survivor all these years, he's the beating heart, just remember that.

MR

Frankie Sullivan

Frankie Sullivan

Re: Frankie Sullivan

Oh that's right

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