Frankie Sullivan (born February 1, 1955) is an American guitarist, best known for being a founding member of the rock band Survivor. He has been the only permanent fixture in its lineup since the band's 1977 inception.

Early life

According to pianist and keyboardist Jimmy Tranchitella of

Northlake, Illinois Northlake is a city in Cook County, Illinois, United States. The population was 12,840 at the 2020 census. The city's moniker is "The City of Friendly People". The name "Northlake" comes from two streets, North Avenue ( IL 64) and Lake Street (US ...

, Sullivan's musical career began in his early teens. He enjoyed sports and started running when he was 17; he became a lifelong runner. One of his heroes is

Muhammad Ali Muhammad Ali (; born Cassius Marcellus Clay Jr.; January 17, 1942 – June 3, 2016) was an American professional boxer and activist. Nicknamed "The Greatest", he is regarded as one of the most significant sports figures of the 20th century, ...

, and he has a framed autograph from the boxer hanging in his home.

Career

In 1976, Sullivan was a member of the Chicago-based hard rock band Mariah. In 1978, he partnered with Jim Peterik and the two became a very successful songwriting team. Sullivan was a lead guitar player. Sullivan and Peterik formed the nucleus of the band Survivor and the band immediately began touring, playing concerts in clubs. Sullivan's first hit on the Billboard charts was in 1981 with the song "Poor Man's Son" from the album Premonition. Along with former bandmate, keyboardist and vocalist

Jim Peterik James Michael Peterik ( ; born November 11, 1950) is an American musician and songwriter. He is best known as the founder of the rock band Survivor, as vocalist and songwriter of "Vehicle" by the Ides of March, and as co-writer of the anthem ...

, Sullivan co-wrote all of the group's hits, including "

Eye of the Tiger "Eye of the Tiger" is a song by American rock band Survivor. It was released as a single from their third album of the same name and was also the theme song for the 1982 film ''Rocky III'', which was released a day before the single. The son ...

" and " Burning Heart" from the ''

Rocky III ''Rocky III'' is a 1982 American sports drama film written, directed by, and starring Sylvester Stallone. It is the sequel to '' Rocky II'' (1979) and is the third installment in the ''Rocky'' franchise. Along with Stallone reprising the title r ...

'' and '' IV'' movie soundtracks. He credits

Sylvester Stallone Sylvester Enzio Stallone (; born Michael Sylvester Gardenzio Stallone, ) is an American actor and filmmaker. After his beginnings as a struggling actor for a number of years upon arriving to New York City in 1969 and later Hollywood in 1974, h ...

for giving him the "opportunity of a lifetime" by using his song ''Eye of the Tiger'' in the

movie. In 1984, Sullivan and the band Survivor had a song on the movie soundtrack for ''

The Karate Kid ''The Karate Kid'' is a 1984 American martial arts drama film written by Robert Mark Kamen and directed by John G. Avildsen. It is the first installment in the ''Karate Kid'' franchise, and stars Ralph Macchio, Pat Morita, Elisabeth Shue an ...

''. The song was The Moment of Truth. In 1999, Sullivan was featured on the VH1 television show

Where are They Now {{about, the Cock Sparrer song, other uses, Where Are They Now? (disambiguation) "Where Are They Now" is a song recorded by English Oi!/ punk rock band Cock Sparrer in 1982, from their album ''Shock Troops''. The lyrics comment on the previous s ...

Discography

With Survivor

* '' Survivor'' (1979) * ''

Premonition A premonition is a feeling that some event will happen, typically a forewarning of something unwelcome. Premonition(s) or The Premonition may also refer to: Film and television * "Premonition" (''Alfred Hitchcock Presents''), an episode of ' ...

'' (1981) * ''

'' (1982) * ''

Caught in the Game ''Caught in the Game'' is the fourth album by American rock band Survivor, released in October 1983. It features guest appearances by Mr. Mister's Richard Page and REO Speedwagon's Kevin Cronin. It is the band's last album to-date to feature lea ...

'' (1983) * ''

Vital Signs Vital signs (also known as vitals) are a group of the four to six most crucial medical signs that indicate the status of the body's vital (life-sustaining) functions. These measurements are taken to help assess the general physical health of a ...

'' (1984) * ''

When Seconds Count ''When Seconds Count'' is the sixth studio album by the American rock band Survivor, released in October 1986. It is the second album featuring vocalist Jimi Jamison. The album included the hit single, " Is This Love", which peaked at #9 in the ...

'' (1986) * ''

Too Hot to Sleep ''Too Hot to Sleep'' is the seventh studio album from rock band Survivor, released in 1988. It was a relative commercial disappointment, reaching only #187 on the Billboard album charts,Reach Reach or REACH may refer to: Companies and organizations * Reach plc, formerly Trinity Mirror, large British newspaper, magazine, and digital publisher * Reach Canada, an NGO in Canada * Reach Limited, an Asia Pacific cable network company ...

'' (2006)

Live albums

*''Live in Tokyo'' (1985) *''Extended Versions: The Encore Collection'' (2004)

Compilation albums

*''The Very Best of Survivor'' (1986) *''

Greatest Hits A greatest hits album or best-of album is a type of compilation album that collects popular and commercially successful songs by a particular artist or band. While greatest hits albums are typically supported by the artist, they can also be crea ...

'' (1989) *''Prime Cuts: The Classic Tracks'' (1998) *''Survivor Special Selection'' (2000) *''Fire in Your Eyes: Greatest Hits'' (2000) *'' Ultimate Survivor'' (2004) *'' The Best of Survivor'' (2006) *''Playlist: The Very Best of Survivor'' (2009) *''The Essential Survivor'' (2014)

Unofficial albums

*''Fire Makes Steel: The Demos'' (1996)

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Sullivan, Frankie 1953 births Living people American rock guitarists American male guitarists Lead guitarists Survivor (band) members 20th-century American guitarists 20th-century American male musicians