Jim Peterik
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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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Grabow Entertainment has a proven history since 1983 in the corporate and private entertainment industry, and acts as an entertainment contractor and producer of private and corporate events. We do not claim or represent ourselves as the exclusive agent or management of all the artists included on our roster. We concentrate our efforts on serious inquiries of talent buyers. We are unable to answer fan club information requests, fan email, public relations contacts or questions , or personal requests for contact information for artists or speakers.