Jimi Jamison's Search is Over

I caught wind today that Survivor’s lead vocalist Jimi Jamison passed away on Sunday of an apparent heart attack. While Jamison was not the singer on Survivor’s biggest hit, “Eye of the Tiger,” his tenure with the band produced several notable hits. These included “I Can’t Hold Back” (#13), “High on You” (#8), “The Search is Over” (#4), “Burning Heart” (#2), and “Is this Love” (#9) – to name only the Top 40 hits.

I had an opportunity to meet Jamison in 1985 and he was one of the nicer stars with which I've crossed paths. Both Jim Peterik and Jimi Jamison were more than glad to briefly chat with me and I was able to get a photo of me and Jimi together. I didn’t have the opportunity to do this with Jim Peterik, as it was just the two of us when we were walking through the corridors of the Charleston (WV) Civic Center. Unfortunately, this was in the pre-selfie days – so no photographic evidence exists of our brief encounter.

Jimi Jamison and the author; 1985

Not only was Jimi a great talent, he was a gracious star. In addition to placating me, he treated our busload of concert ticket winners by coming aboard the Y94 Concert Cruiser to meet our winners.

Our tribute song was his Jamison’s first Top 5 hit with the band: “The Search is Over.” This 1985 rock ballad was also a number one adult contemporary hit. Written by Jim Peterik and Frankie Sullivan, the song chronicles a man returning to his childhood friend who happens to be the love of his live.

Jimi Jamison had spent three tours of duty with Survivor. The most productive was his first stint with the band from 1984-1989. He later rejoined Survivor from 2000 to 2006 and again 2011 until his death on Sunday. Rest in Peace Jimi; “The Search is Over.”