Jim Peterik

Jim Peterik was born on November 11, 1950, in Berwyn, Illinois. His musical career began in 1964 with his high school band, The Ides of March. The band achieved success in the late 1960s and early 1970s with hits such as “You Wouldn’t Listen,” “Vehicle,” and “L.A. Goodbye.” “Vehicle” reached number 2 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in May 1970 and became one of the fastest-selling singles in Warner Bros. Records’ history at that time. He also contributed to the jazz-rock band Chase in the early 1970s and released a solo album, “Don’t Fight the Feeling,” in 1976.

In 1978, Peterik co-founded the band Survivor. The band gained international recognition in 1982 when Sylvester Stallone commissioned them to write and perform the theme song for the film Rocky III. The resulting song, “Eye of the Tiger,” spent six weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100, achieved double platinum status, and earned a Grammy Award, along with an Oscar nomination for Peterik and Frankie Sullivan for Best Song. Survivor continued to produce hits, including “High on You,” “The Search Is Over,” and “I Can’t Hold Back” from their 1984 album “Vital Signs.” Peterik also co-wrote “Burning Heart” for Rocky IV in 1985, which reached No. 2, and “Is This Love” (No. 7).

Peterik has also written songs for various other artists throughout his career. These include “Hold On Loosely,” “Caught Up in You,” and “Rockin’ into the Night” for 38 Special, as well as “Heavy Metal” for Sammy Hagar. He has collaborated with artists such as Lynyrd Skynyrd, Brian Wilson, REO Speedwagon, and The Beach Boys. He continues to perform with The Ides of March and founded the band Pride of Lions in 2003. Peterik’s autobiography, “Through The Eye Of The Tiger,” was released in 2014, and he remains active in music as a producer and mentor.