Eye of the Tiger

Zoo Freaks, get ready to rumble with some wild trivia about Survivor's iconic track "Eye of the Tiger," the ultimate anthem from their 1982 album of the same name, now spinning on THE ZOO! This song was born when Sylvester Stallone, the mastermind behind Rocky III, reached out to Survivor after Queen denied him permission to use "Another One Bites the Dust." Stallone, vibing to Survivor's earlier hit "Poor Man's Son," wanted something with that same gritty energy and a pulse to match the film's boxing scenes. Jim Peterik and Frankie Sullivan crafted the song, drawing lyrics like "Rising up, back on the street" from the movie's dialogue, with a riff designed to echo the rhythm of punches. Stallone loved the demo but asked for louder drums and a fresh third verse, which the band delivered, cementing the song’s place in rock history. It soared to #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 for six weeks, snagged a Grammy for Best Rock Performance, and even earned an Oscar nomination. Peterik later reflected that the song’s primal beat, simple melody, and fierce tiger imagery made it universally relatable, from marching bands to workout playlists.

Here’s a juicy tidbit for the Zoo Crew to spin: Frankie Sullivan, who was scraping by in a $200-a-month apartment while his bandmates were living large, said the song’s success felt like winning the lottery. The track’s fame exploded after its release three weeks post-Rocky III, with Sullivan pinching himself at 24, attending Golden Globes and Grammy ceremonies. But not all was smooth sailing—Dave Bickler, the lead vocalist, battled vocal cord issues during this era, which led to his exit after the band’s 1983 album. Oh, and in 2004, Survivor got a quirky boost when a Starbucks commercial featured them tailing a guy named Glen, singing a tweaked version of "Eye of the Tiger" to hype his espresso-fueled day. The ad was such a hit, it nabbed an Emmy nomination! Posts on X from accounts like @historyrock_ still rave about Survivor’s 1985 Japan performance of the song, calling it a legendary moment Stallone himself would dig.

Let’s rewind to how Survivor kicked off their journey, straight outta Chicago in 1978. Jim Peterik, fresh from fronting The Ides of March, teamed up with guitarist Frankie Sullivan, vocalist Dave Bickler, drummer Gary Smith, and bassist Dennis Keith Johnson. They started grinding in small clubs, building a loyal fanbase. By late 1978, they inked a deal with Scotti Bros Records, thanks to John Kalodner at Atlantic. Their self-titled debut dropped in 1979, with "Somewhere in America" peaking at #70, but it didn’t light up the charts. Undeterred, they swapped out Smith and Johnson for Marc Droubay and Stephan Ellis for their 1981 album Premonition, which scored a Top 40 hit with "Poor Man’s Son." That track caught Stallone’s ear, paving the way for "Eye of the Tiger" and their meteoric rise. The band’s knack for melodic hard rock and AOR vibes made them staples of the ‘80s, with later hits like "Burning Heart" for Rocky IV.

Wanna keep up with Survivor? Check their official site at survivormusic.com for tour dates and news. They’re active on Facebook, sharing updates with their 200K+ followers, and on Instagram, where they post throwbacks and live shots. Their X account keeps the Zoo Freaks in the loop with recent posts about gigs and merch. For fan vibes, dive into the Survivor Fan Group on Facebook, where over 1,500 members swap stories and rare pics. Another gem is survivorband.com, a fan site packed with discography details and band history. So, Zoo Crew, crank up "Eye of the Tiger" and let the Survivor spirit keep your air waves roaring!