Frankie Sullivan
Encyclopedia
Frankie Sullivan, Frankie M. Sullivan III, (born 1 February 1955, Chicago
) is an American
guitarist
and songwriter
. He is best known for being a founding member of the band Survivor
, and has been the only constant member of the band since its formation in 1977.
Along with former bandmate, keyboardist/vocalist Jim Peterik
, Sullivan co-wrote many of the group's hits including "Eye of the Tiger" and "Burning Heart" from the Rocky III
and IV
movie soundtracks.
Survivor is currently working on a new release. No release date is available at this time. Frankie is also actively writing with the supergroup Mecca's lead singer Joe Vana for this release as well as a rumoured Sullivan/Vana album as well in the future.
Frankie began playing guitar in his very early teens by sitting in on local garage band practices and helping with their equipment changes. Eventually he was allowed to play a little after band practice when members realized his serious interest, as stated by local piano/keyboard musician and Northlake, IL resident Jimmy Tranchitelli.
Chicago
Chicago is the largest city in the US state of Illinois. With nearly 2.7 million residents, it is the most populous city in the Midwestern United States and the third most populous in the US, after New York City and Los Angeles...
) is an American
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
guitarist
Guitarist
A guitarist is a musician who plays the guitar. Guitarists may play a variety of instruments such as classical guitars, acoustic guitars, electric guitars, and bass guitars. Some guitarists accompany themselves on the guitar while singing.- Versatility :The guitarist controls an extremely...
and songwriter
Songwriter
A songwriter is an individual who writes both the lyrics and music to a song. Someone who solely writes lyrics may be called a lyricist, and someone who only writes music may be called a composer...
. He is best known for being a founding member of the band Survivor
Survivor (band)
Survivor is an American rock band formed in Chicago in 1978. The band achieved its greatest success in the 1980s with its AOR sound, which garnered many charting singles, especially in the United States. The band is best known for its double platinum-certified 1982 hit "Eye of the Tiger", the theme...
, and has been the only constant member of the band since its formation in 1977.
Along with former bandmate, keyboardist/vocalist Jim Peterik
Jim Peterik
Jim Peterik is an American musician and songwriter. He is best known as a member of the band Survivor and as vocalist and songwriter of the hit song "Vehicle" by The Ides of March...
, Sullivan co-wrote many of the group's hits including "Eye of the Tiger" and "Burning Heart" from the Rocky III
Rocky III
Rocky III is a 1982 American film that is the third installment in the Rocky film series. It is written and directed by and stars Sylvester Stallone as the title character, with Carl Weathers as former boxing rival Apollo Creed, Burgess Meredith as Rocky's trainer Mickey, and Talia Shire as Rocky's...
and IV
Rocky IV
Rocky IV is a 1985 American film written by, directed by, and starring Sylvester Stallone. It is the fourth and most financially successful entry in the Rocky franchise...
movie soundtracks.
Survivor is currently working on a new release. No release date is available at this time. Frankie is also actively writing with the supergroup Mecca's lead singer Joe Vana for this release as well as a rumoured Sullivan/Vana album as well in the future.
Frankie began playing guitar in his very early teens by sitting in on local garage band practices and helping with their equipment changes. Eventually he was allowed to play a little after band practice when members realized his serious interest, as stated by local piano/keyboard musician and Northlake, IL resident Jimmy Tranchitelli.