Jimi Jamison- May He Rock In Peace Jimi Jamison- I thought he was bulletproof- immortal. That’s why it was crushing when I heard the news. Certainly this was a mistake- a rumor- some kind of sick prank. No- he was too alive for this to ever happen. He was going to live forever. My head was spinning as I weighed my emotions. Then I got a call on my cell phone that made my heart stop- the screen lit up the words- Jimi Jamison. I answered hoping against hope that it would be that warm familiar sound I have heard for the last 30 or so years- I was praying to hear- “Whaddya doin’? It’s Jaimo.” Then I heard a woman’s shaken voice. “Jim, It’s Jimi’s daughter Amy- he’s gone!!” As we sobbed together I still couldn’t wrap my head around it but it was starting to sink in- the world just lost one of the sweetest spirits and greatest voices in rock & roll. And I lost a dear friend. That whole day and the next were a blur as we all tried our best to celebrate Colin’s 25th birthday at our place in Michigan. But thoughts of Jimi were never far away. Was I the only one who couldn’t sleep that night as I replayed the journey we had taken together- from Jimi’s audition at the Survivor carpet warehouse rehearsal space where he proceeded to blow away even the great singers we had already heard- to first time I heard him sing “The Search is Over” as Frankie and I coached him on the lyrics and melody. I played it in E flat- the written key. When it came to the line- “Now I look into your eyes...” Jimi’s voice cracked a little. I said, “Frankie- we better lower the key to E.” Jimi looked me in the eye with that look and said- “Aw, give half a man a chance!” Second try- he hit it clear as a bell. That was Jimi. He always gave it the extra measure of love. He improved every song I ever wrote by just wrapping those golden vocal cords around every line. He made you believe every word. Then there was the bluegrass crack in his voice that was pure Memphis. It was hard to describe- somewhere between a break and a yodel- but it was unique in the world of rock and one of his most distinctive signatures. And then there was his vocal range- OMG! Never have high notes been so effortlessly turned. As a songwriter, knowing Jimi would be singing my songs brought out the best in me. I’m sure “I Can’t Hold Back” would not have been written if Frankie and I had not been imagining Jimi singing it as we were huddled in the airless piano booth at Record Plant in Los Angeles. Finally, long after I left Survivor I had the chance I had been dreaming of. In 2008 I got the chance to write and produce a brand new solo album with Jimi for the Frontiers label. I was overjoyed to see what new music our collaboration could bring into the world. Through that year we spent weeks together searching for the best 13 songs to continue his great legacy. We must have cut around 30 tracks before we decided (with the help of Serafino Perugino at Frontiers Records) the perfect tracks that would become one of the favorite productions of my career- ‘Crossroads Moment’. And truly it was a crossroad for both of us proving that we still had the magic that helped propel Survivor into the pantheon of all-time great rock bands. Tracks such as the title cut and “As Is” stand as testimony to all that is unique in the right combination of singer and song. (Perhaps- it’s the singer AND the song....) Jimi’s sense of humor and down-home charm never failed to warm up any room. As soon as I started taking life (or myself) too seriously- Jimi would be the first one to bring me down to earth. He always had plenty of time for his fans and even more for his friends. and his fund raising for St Jude and other causes is exemplary. There are no coincidences- about a week ago- for the first time in about 25 years I just decided it was time to watch the Survivor Live In Japan video. Karen was out of town and business and I had some rare quiet time. After I left the band in 1996 it might have been too painful for me to watch. Now it was time. Was it Jimi whispering in my soul to take a minute to watch some of the memories we made? Well through the soft-focus lens of time- I saw the band in a whole different light. The various dramas that surrounded us then were gone. All that was left was the music- the glorious music. The band was a well- oiled machine and Jimi and Frankie were working well as a unit. Marc was hitting hard- Stephan laying it down with firm slabs of pick-driven P-bass and JP doing his best to step out of for four-foot cubicle by the keyboard and join the fun. It was clear to see why the crowd in Japan- and every city we hit- was on their feet cheering. In the song I wrote for Jimi for the passing of his mother - “Streets Of Heaven” - I spoke of the Team Of Destiny. Perhaps we were. Jimi, I will miss you every day. Rock in peace my dear friend- Jim
Posted on: Thu, 04 Sep 2014 13:38:45 +0000
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