 No history of Chicago rock would be complete without a
chapter on Jim Peterik. As lead vocalist, lead guitarist, and songwriter for
The Ides of March from 1964 to 1973, he helped propel them to #1 on the
national charts (at age 19) with their horn-driven classic “Vehicle”.
(You may remember it by it’s opening line, “I’m the friendly stranger in the
black sedan, won’t you hop inside my car”) Other Ides hits include the British
invasion influenced, “You Wouldn’t Listen” in 1966 (#7 in Chicago, #42
nationally) and “LA. Goodbye” (#1 for five weeks in Chicago).
In 1973, after countless singles, four albums, and hundreds
of concerts across America and Canada, the Ides disbanded. Jim Peterik signed a
solo deal with Epic Records and in 1976 released the critically acclaimed Don’t
Fight the Feeling.
In the winter of 1977, Jim assembled the Jim Peterik Band
that he soon christened Survivor (taken from the liner notes of his
solo album). Spanning nine albums from 1980 to 1993, he was responsible for the
keyboard work and some guitar work, as well as writing or co-writing all of
Suvivor’s material: the triple platinum Grammy winner “Eye of the Tiger”
(which Jim Co-produced), commissioned by Sylvester Stallone for the movie Rocky
III; the #1 single from 1985 “The Search is Over”, and top ten singles, “I
Can’t Hold Back”, “Is This Love”, “High On You”, and the #1
smash from Rocky IV, “Burning Heart”, in 1985.
As a non-stop songwriter, Jim Peterik has been involved in
many collaborations through the years. One of the most successful is his
continuing association with .38 Special. With Don Barnes and Jeff Carlisi
from .38 Special, Jim Peterik wrote a string of hits including “Rockin’ Into
The Night”, “Hold On Loosely”, “Caught Up in You”, “Fantasy
Girl”, “Chain Lightening”, and “Wild-Eyed Southern Boys”. In
1997, he co-wrote ten songs for their Resolution release, including their hit
singles, “Fade to Blue” and “Saving Grace”. .38’s 1999 album, Live
at Sturgis includes exciting live versions of many of Jim Peterik’s songs,
including a new studio cut that Jim co-wrote called “Just One Girl”.
Additional collaborations include: Sammy Hagar, with whom he
wrote the main title theme for the sci-fi animation cult-classic Heavy Metal,
The Henry Paul Band, Blackhawk (“Nobody’s Fool” ), The Doobie Brothers, Lynyrd
Skynyrd, VanZant, Al Denson, REO Speedwagon, John Wetton, Cheap Trick, Cindrella,
and many more. Jim also spends time in Nashville writing songs with some of the
best: Skip Ewing, Bob DePiero, Craig Wiseman, John Greenebaum, Tommy Lee James,
and others.
Recently Jim Peterik fulfilled a lifelong dream,
collaborating with Brian Wilson on two songs for Brian’s 1998 release,
Imagination, including the title track and “Dream Angel”, written for
Brian’s one year old daughter. He got to perform with Brian’s band on the
VH1/PBS special, concert dates, and The David Letterman Show.
Back in Chicago, Jim Peterik plays shows with the reunited
Ides of March (including all of the original members). He also is producing
talent he’s discovered like blues artist Anthony Gomes, R&B vocalist Marzette
Griffith, long time Chicago favorite singing sensation Cathy Richardson, and a
briliant young singer-songwriter from St. Charles IL. Leslie Hunt.
When Jim Peterik left Survivor in 1996, he began designing a
project that would bring together an elite group of artists singing duets with
Jim on some of his best songs, past and present. Some have shared in past
recording projects with Jim Peterik including, Don Barnes (of .38 Special),
Kevin Cronin (of REO Speedwagon), Henry Paul (of the Outlaws and Blackhawk), and
Johnny VanZant (of Lynyrd Skynyrd), while some are making their first appearance
on a recording with Jim Peterik including: Buddy Guy (on a smokin’ blues remake
of “Vehicle”), Dennis DeYoung of Styx, Tom Keifer of Cinderella, Bun E Carlos
and Rick Nielson (of Cheap Trick), Kelly Keagy (of Night Ranger), Margaret
Becker, and up and coming artists, Anthony Gomes, Jeff Boyle, and David Carl.
The completed project is called Jim Peterik and World
Stage, and was unveiled at a sold out show at the St. Charles Norris Centre
Theater in January 2000. The concert was taped for an upcoming special and
displays the magic that can occur when good friends and great music come
together. “I want to create nights to remember and send a message through my
songs”. So far, in a career that has spanned 35 years, Jim Peterik has done just
that.
Contact Grabow for more information or to book Jim Peterik
for your next corporate or private event.
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