Jim Peterik

Jim Peterik
Jim Peterik performs at an American Society of News Editors convention session in Washington, D.C., on April 3, 2012.
Background information
Born	(1950-11-11) November 11, 1950 (age 66) Berwyn, Illinois, United States
Genres	Hard rock, smooth jazz
Instruments	Vocals, guitar, ukulele, keyboards
Years active	1964–present
Labels	Frontiers Records
Associated acts	Survivor, The Ides of March, Pride of Lions

James Michael "Jim" Peterik (born November 11, 1950) is an American musician and songwriter. He is best known as the founder of the band Survivor, as vocalist and songwriter of "Vehicle" by the Ides of March, and as co-writer of the anthem "Eye of the Tiger", the theme from the motion picture Rocky III.

Peterik has co-written songs for 38 Special, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Blackhawk, Cheap Trick, Sammy Hagar, Cathy Richardson, Van Zant, Brian Wilson, REO Speedwagon, and The Beach Boys. He is currently fronting the melodic rock band Pride of Lions, smooth-jazz project Jim Peterik's Lifeforce, and has a regular series of yearly concert performances with an all-star cast as World Stage. He is also active as a producer and mentor to young, developing talent.

Peterik started performing in 1964 with some of his schoolmates in Berwyn, Illinois, as The Ides of March. Their hits included "You Wouldn't Listen", "Vehicle", and "L.A. Goodbye" in the late 1960s and early 1970s. "Vehicle", which was number 2 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart the week of May 23, 1970, is purported to be the fastest selling single in Warner Bros. Records history.

Peterik graduated from Morton West High School in 1968 and Morton Junior College in 1970, and attended college classes while "Vehicle" became a national hit.