Jimi Jamison, Survivor Lead Singer, Dead at 63

[alp227]

Source: RollingStone.com

Jimi Jamison, the lead singer of Eighties rock bands Cobra and Survivor, passed away August 31 after suffering a heart attack, TMZ reports. He was 63. Jamison's booking manager confirmed to TMZ that the former Survivor singer had died. Jamison served as Survivor's lead singer from 1984 until 1988, proving the vocals for the band's hits like "The Moment of Truth" from The Karate Kid, "Is This Love," and "Burning Heart" from Rocky IV. As a solo artist, he recorded the track "I'm Always Here," which became the memorable theme song for the TV series Baywatch.

Jamison joined Survivor after their then-lead singer, David Bickler, was forced to leave the group after developing polyps on his vocal chords shortly after Survivor recorded their biggest hit, the Grammy-winning Rocky III cut "Eye of the Tiger." In 1984, following the dissolution of Cobra, Jamison stepped in as Survivor lead singer, recording three albums with the band, 1984's Vital Signs, 1986's When Seconds Count and 1988's Too Hot to Sleep. Survivor disbanded in 1989, but reformed in 1993 with Bickler back at the microphone. Jamison would eventually rejoin Survivor in 2000 for another six years.


Read more: http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/jimi-jamison-survivor-lead-singer-dead-at-63-20140901

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More coverage: Memphis Commercial Appeal

[MADem]

1. Wow, very young to die of a heart attack.

Even if you sing for a group called "Survivor," there's gonna come a day when that shoe doesn't fit anymore.

I hope he had a nice life, short as it was.

[FreeState]

2. Not really, average age for men for first heart attack is 66

http://www.nytimes.com/health/guides/disease/heart-attack/risk-factors.html

AGE
The risks for coronary artery disease increase with age. About 85% of people who die from heart disease are over the age of 65. For men, the average age of a first heart attack is 66 years

[MADem]

5. What you just posted says the opposite.

He's only 63 (or was). He DIED. He didn't survive this 'un.

About 85% of people who die from heart disease are over the age of 65.

Pity.

[FreeState]

10. Read it again "average age for first heart attack"

First attack not death.

However you can go further to see that about half die on their first heart attack (sorry I can't find the stat for all heart attacks - only the one on coronary heart disease - so the stats could be less or more when you add in other causes).

http://www.cdc.gov/heartdisease/facts.htm

Half of the men who die suddenly of coronary heart disease have no previous symptoms.

He was on the young side of averages, but I wouldn't say his age is very young for a heat attack that killed him.

[MADem]

12. Yes--and this guy had his first heart attack...and DIED... before the "average age."

He had a short life.

[Moostache]

3. Sad to hear this...man time flies so damn fast...

I am not that old (well, OK, I don't consider myself that old even though I am entering my mid-40's, going bald and what's left is turning white!!) and I find myself starting to recognize the things that are going away forever from my past...things like this passing (and the earlier death of Pat Morita - my GOD...that was 9 YEARS AGO?!?!?) from a someone I closely associate with a movie from my early teen years (Karate Kid anyway...Rocky III came out even LONGER ago)...

Rest in peace and thanks for being part of the evolving soundtrack of my life.

[Adenoid_Hynkel]

6. That's not him in the video

He didn't join the band until a few years after Eye of the Tiger. Different guy on that one.

[alp227]

7. Edited out video.

"Eye of the Tiger" is the only Survivor song I know, for shame!

[reflection]

9. another piece of childhood gone

He and I went to the same high school. He was a little ahead of me. Always thought it was cool that someone from that dump made it big, if only for a short time.

[arenean]

11. So sad he's gone

After a day, I still can't believe he's gone - a big part of the soundtrack to my life.
I was looking forward to seeing Survivor play London next month (first time in the UK), but I don't know what will happen now.

Lovely tribute from Andrew McNeice over at Melodicrock.com here.....

http://www.melodicrock.com/articles/news-feed/2014/09/02/my-tribute-jimi-jamison-rip

[Doctor_J]

13. He was a Real American Hero

http://grooveshark.com/#!/album/41+Bud+Light+Real+American+Heroes+And+Real+Men+Of+Genius/3697576