Rockobit: Jimi Jamison

Jimi Jamison, singer with both Survivor and Cobra, has died.

He wasn't with the band for Survivor's greatest hit - he joined just after Eye Of The Tiger, when original singer David Bickler for polyps on his vocal chords. He was singing for the diminishing-returns Rocky IV hook-up Burning Heart.

When Bickler recovered, the original members of Survivor reunited with him, although that didn't stop Jamison from also touring as Survivor. Naturally, a lot of money was wasted on legal squabbles as a result; eventually both sets of Survivor came back together and the band toured with two lead singers.

Jamison also found time for a solid solo career - including writing and performing one of the many Baywatch theme tunes.

His family have issued a statement:

"Jimi was a friend to everyone he met. He was a loving father and grandfather and was always a person who valued people more than anything else."

Jimi Jamison was 63, and died September 1st in Raleigh. The cause of death hasn't yet been determined.