Showing posts with label Valiant. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Valiant. Show all posts
Wednesday, November 05, 2025
Saturday, November 09, 2024
Tuesday, August 15, 2023
today I learned, that the guy who wrote Vehicle at age 18, co-founded Survivor and was commissioned by Stallone to write Eye of the Tiger for Rocky III, and has a collection of 193 guitars... and married his high school sweetheart
James Peterik, the co-founder of Survivor, was vocalist and songwriter of "Vehicle" by the Ides of March in 1970, was co-writer of the anthem "Eye of the Tiger" from the 1982 film Rocky III.
Peterik started performing in 1964 with some of his highschool schoolmates as The Ides of March. Their hits included "You Wouldn't Listen", "Vehicle", and "L.A. Goodbye" in the late 1960s and early 1970s.
"Vehicle", which was number 2 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart the week of May 23, 1970, is purported to be the fastest selling single in Warner Bros. Records history.
In 1982, Sylvester Stallone commissioned Survivor to write and perform the theme song for Rocky III. This song, "Eye of the Tiger", became their defining single, spending six weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 and going double platinum.
Peterik first displayed his musical talent while singing with his sisters in the back of the family’s 1952 Chrysler on trips to Florida. A few years later, at age 9, he began playing the guitar, “because I was old enough to wrap my hand around the neck,” he said.
He was 14 in 1964 when friend and classmate, Larry Millas knocked on his door and asked if he wanted to start a band. “Music was my life at that point,” Peterik said.
The concert ended, and my car was parked right in front. It was a '65 Valiant, beautiful and white. I said, "Hey, do you want a ride home?" And she said, "Oh no. My dad would never let me do that, but you can walk me home to my girlfriend's house."
So, I walked her home, memorized her phone number, and I said, "I'll call you." I couldn't get up the nerve to call her for another week and she thought that I would never get up the nerve to call her.
Peterik started performing in 1964 with some of his highschool schoolmates as The Ides of March. Their hits included "You Wouldn't Listen", "Vehicle", and "L.A. Goodbye" in the late 1960s and early 1970s.
"Vehicle", which was number 2 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart the week of May 23, 1970, is purported to be the fastest selling single in Warner Bros. Records history.
In 1982, Sylvester Stallone commissioned Survivor to write and perform the theme song for Rocky III. This song, "Eye of the Tiger", became their defining single, spending six weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 and going double platinum.
"Eye of the Tiger" also won a Grammy Award and resulted in an Oscar nomination for Peterik and Frankie Sullivan for Best Song.
Their 1984 album, Vital Signs, featured the Top 10 hits
Their 1984 album, Vital Signs, featured the Top 10 hits
"High on You" (No. 8) and
"The Search Is Over" (No. 4), and another sizable hit,
"I Can't Hold Back" (No. 13).
In 1985, Peterik co-wrote the theme song to Rocky IV, "Burning Heart", which would be another big hit (No. 2 in early 1986) for Survivor. "Burning Heart" was followed by Number 7 hit, "Is This Love".
Peterik first displayed his musical talent while singing with his sisters in the back of the family’s 1952 Chrysler on trips to Florida. A few years later, at age 9, he began playing the guitar, “because I was old enough to wrap my hand around the neck,” he said.
He was 14 in 1964 when friend and classmate, Larry Millas knocked on his door and asked if he wanted to start a band. “Music was my life at that point,” Peterik said.
“Then [bass player] Bob Bergland said, ‘I’m reading [Shakespeare’s] Julius Caesar, and I came across the phrase, ‘Beware the Ides of March,’” Peterik recalled.
“Bergland said, ‘That sounds like our new name.’”
They played local backyard BBQs and in high school gymnasiums. Their song “You Wouldn’t Listen” reached No. 42 on the Billboard Hot 100 and No. 7 on WLS Chicago in 1966.
Then they struck it big in 1970 when Peterik was an 18-yearold freshman at Morton College and penned “Vehicle.” He was inspired by a girl, Karen, whom he met at a Turtles concert in 1968. “She would ask me to drive her places but would insist we were just friends,” Peterik said. “She said, ‘I want to date other guys. It’s not a date - you have the cool car. Can you take me to modeling school?’ I did, so I could be next to her. Week after week, she’d shake my hand. I thought, 'All I am is your vehicle baby.’ I had never heard the word used in a song.” The words in the song about the stranger offering a ride to the nearest star was based an anti-drug pamphlet Peterik’s lab partner showed him that depicted a man stopping children to sell drugs.
The song shot up to No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100, and after hearing it on the radio, Karen called Peterik and agreed to a date. She became his wife two years later. “All my songs are written for Karen.” Peterik said. “I rarely write sad love songs because I really never experienced heartbreak
"Vehicle” features Peterik using a gruff voice that sounds years older than 18, accompanied by a horn riff. Peterik said as a result, people mistook the band for Blood Sweat & Tears. He was, in fact, channeling Blood Sweat & Tears’ lead singer David Clayton-Thomas, along with Ray Charles. Charles was an early, major influence on Peterik, along with Elvis Presley and Johnny Cash. “Musically, I am the mutt of so many influences,” Peterik said.
With the record’s success, the band hit the road with Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin and other top names. “We were sharing a deli tray with the Grateful Dead"
Then they struck it big in 1970 when Peterik was an 18-yearold freshman at Morton College and penned “Vehicle.” He was inspired by a girl, Karen, whom he met at a Turtles concert in 1968. “She would ask me to drive her places but would insist we were just friends,” Peterik said. “She said, ‘I want to date other guys. It’s not a date - you have the cool car. Can you take me to modeling school?’ I did, so I could be next to her. Week after week, she’d shake my hand. I thought, 'All I am is your vehicle baby.’ I had never heard the word used in a song.” The words in the song about the stranger offering a ride to the nearest star was based an anti-drug pamphlet Peterik’s lab partner showed him that depicted a man stopping children to sell drugs.
The song shot up to No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100, and after hearing it on the radio, Karen called Peterik and agreed to a date. She became his wife two years later. “All my songs are written for Karen.” Peterik said. “I rarely write sad love songs because I really never experienced heartbreak
"Vehicle” features Peterik using a gruff voice that sounds years older than 18, accompanied by a horn riff. Peterik said as a result, people mistook the band for Blood Sweat & Tears. He was, in fact, channeling Blood Sweat & Tears’ lead singer David Clayton-Thomas, along with Ray Charles. Charles was an early, major influence on Peterik, along with Elvis Presley and Johnny Cash. “Musically, I am the mutt of so many influences,” Peterik said.
With the record’s success, the band hit the road with Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin and other top names. “We were sharing a deli tray with the Grateful Dead"
https://issuu.com/streetwise_chi/docs/june28-july4_2023_issuu/s/26768451
Jim Peterik: I'm 17 years old. I'm a junior in high school. I've heard that my favorite band was coming to Riverside High, the Turtles.
Jim Peterik: I'm 17 years old. I'm a junior in high school. I've heard that my favorite band was coming to Riverside High, the Turtles.
I showed up early and it was open seating, so I was there at 6 o'clock for an 8 o'clock concert near the front of the line waiting to get in. All of a sudden, this gaggle of girls is dancing next to me, and one is cuter than the next. I went, "Oh my God." There was one girl that just had these big eyes and she wasn't looking at me. She was playing it cool. I said to myself, "Well, that girl's way out of my league. She'll never talk to me."
Just then, she turned around and said, "Aren't you Peterik?" I go, "Yeah."
She said, "I just saw your band last week. You guys were great." I go, "There is a God."
Just then, she turned around and said, "Aren't you Peterik?" I go, "Yeah."
She said, "I just saw your band last week. You guys were great." I go, "There is a God."
We started talking like we had known each other for a hundred years. We're talking about our favorite movies, and the other girls, as cute as they were, they just kind of disappeared and there was just this one girl. She was wearing orange culottes, knee socks and saddle shoes. She went to an all-girls high school.
The concert ended, and my car was parked right in front. It was a '65 Valiant, beautiful and white. I said, "Hey, do you want a ride home?" And she said, "Oh no. My dad would never let me do that, but you can walk me home to my girlfriend's house."
So, I walked her home, memorized her phone number, and I said, "I'll call you." I couldn't get up the nerve to call her for another week and she thought that I would never get up the nerve to call her.
We started dating, and we went to a play at the high school. We were walking back to her house. Her mother said, "You get her home by 9 o'clock. I'm a stickler on that." Well, it was about 9:15, but we almost made it. Behind Larry Millas' house, she gave me the kiss of a lifetime. She was way more advanced than I was. I never had a kiss like that, and I floated home just like on gossamer wings, as they say.
So, we just kept dating and all of a sudden, she said, "You know, Jim, I'm 15 years old. You're the first boy I've ever dated. I really need to see what else is out there." It broke my heart. Total "whomp, whomp" moment, you know. I was in the dumpster for months. ...
Out of the blue, I get a call. "Hey, Jim. It's Karen. Remember me?" "Yeah." "Well, you know, it's not a date or anything, but you know, you've got that cool car. Would you take me to modeling school?" She was really cute.
So, we just kept dating and all of a sudden, she said, "You know, Jim, I'm 15 years old. You're the first boy I've ever dated. I really need to see what else is out there." It broke my heart. Total "whomp, whomp" moment, you know. I was in the dumpster for months. ...
Out of the blue, I get a call. "Hey, Jim. It's Karen. Remember me?" "Yeah." "Well, you know, it's not a date or anything, but you know, you've got that cool car. Would you take me to modeling school?" She was really cute.
Sure. I figured I'll take her to modeling school. I thought, "Well, maybe I'll get a kiss or something." I took her to modeling school and waited outside for an hour and a half. She comes dancing back out. I take her home.
No kiss, a handshake. "That was really fun, Jim. Thanks." Two weeks later, the same thing happened.
BH: She didn't even offer to pay for the gas?
JP: Not even. Two weeks later, she calls me again. Now I'm starting to get a little PO'ed. I said to myself, "You know, all I am is her limousine. No, wait a minute. All I am is her vehicle, baby." I was like "Wait a minute. Vehicle. What a unique word."
That song came out and it was the fastest breaking hit in Warner Brothers history, up to that time. It was on the radio coast to coast. Suddenly, there was demand for the band. Here I am, 19 years old by this time, and I'm on the road with Led Zeppelin, Grateful Dead, Allman Brothers Band, Jimi Hendrix. What a magical year to have a hit record, the summer of 1970.
BH: She didn't even offer to pay for the gas?
JP: Not even. Two weeks later, she calls me again. Now I'm starting to get a little PO'ed. I said to myself, "You know, all I am is her limousine. No, wait a minute. All I am is her vehicle, baby." I was like "Wait a minute. Vehicle. What a unique word."
That song came out and it was the fastest breaking hit in Warner Brothers history, up to that time. It was on the radio coast to coast. Suddenly, there was demand for the band. Here I am, 19 years old by this time, and I'm on the road with Led Zeppelin, Grateful Dead, Allman Brothers Band, Jimi Hendrix. What a magical year to have a hit record, the summer of 1970.
Monday, November 21, 2022
Saturday, April 16, 2022
some interesting vehicles found on tonight's walkabout, but what I can't figure out, is why among these million dollar homes, are so many dirt cheap trucks and cars
been sitting there since 2007, just getting rustier
interesting trailer
I kid you not, there are about 4 Airstreams in about 6 blocks... this little area has more that anyone where else I've walked so far, and they also have plenty of other kids of RVs
this Jeep is really neglected... just sad to see the paint is a mess. At least they put a cover over it
Thursday, April 14, 2022
about twice as many interesting vehicles seen on tonight's walk compared to yesterdays, as I walked about twice as long.
here's a home owner that really like cars! First dune buggy I've seen in a yard/driveway
of course it's a BMW under the car cover, its been in this driveway since 2007 at least, according to the history on Google Street view. Across the street is this valiant
and notice that in the yard, at the end of the sidewalk, is this pedal car. This home owner really likes cars, TR6 on the left, and unknown in the middle, but the far right is a VW squarebackwagon
this ranger has been under this tree quite a while
I think this might be the daily driver commuter I used to see every morning on the interstate as I was heading to work, a couple years ago
Saturday, February 19, 2022
Saturday, December 18, 2021
there's a madman out there with a hemi in a Signet, a Hot Heads Hemi research equipped 392
alum heads, intake, front cover water pump, hot heads Hemi research cam 456L 220D 166LS A518 trans 83/4 posi rear 356 gear, mustang 2 front end
Wednesday, December 08, 2021
a 450 hp '64 Valiant in Estonia
finding great vehicles everywhere other than the USA, that's what sets Speedhunters.com apart from most other sites. Sure, the USA has a lot... but incredible cars, and amazing people, are everywhere. They simply don't get the publicity from websites or magazines as reporters and journalists simply can not afford to travel much.
Friday, March 05, 2021
The Cannonball Compact Car Division of Nascar, 1960... so slow and boring, it only happened 3 times, from 1960 to 61. The Corvairs were so stock, they still had dealership window stickers
With the release of the compact 1960 Plymouth Valiant, NASCAR sanctioned a special race for the new six-cylinder compact car class, which would involve all three major automakers.
Chrysler racing engineers working in Dyno Cell 13 went to work on the 170 cu in slant six. This special group would be responsible for taking an ordinary 170 cubic inch six and making it put out extraordinary horsepower, that would earn these Chrysler racing engineers the title of most powerful and feared in-line six cylinder ever built in America.
(All they did was get 8 more horsepower, so, whoever wrote this was drunk. Notice, 140 hp stock, 148 hp after all their work)
The 170 slant six performance would be put to the test in front of millions of TV viewers.The 1960 Plymouth Valiant was only available in a 4 door model; this was given a standard block with a set of special domed pistons for a higher compression ratio, a Racer Brown ST-21 cam, a 21" long ram intake manifold, a four-barrel Carter AFB, exhaust manifolds that dumped into a 2-1/2" o.d. outlet pipe into a bigger muffler from an Imperial.
Seven slant six Valiants entered the new NASCAR race; and won the first seven places
CBS aired the compact sedan races as well as the qualifying for the Daytona 500 race in a live TV special for their "sports spectacular;" it was estimated that 17 million people were watching.
Junior Johnson even qualified a Simca!
Leading the CBS broadcast was Walter Cronkite. Although he wasn't a racing analyst, he was a sports car racer himself, he competed in the 12 Hours of Sebring the previous year and having him on the broadcast would give a sense of legitimacy. https://justacarguy.blogspot.com/2016/03/walter-cronkite-from-race-car-driver-to.html
He went on to anchor CBS's coverage of the Winter Olympics a few weeks later, and took over as anchor of CBS's Evening News in 1962.
The compact sedan race quickly turned into a dull affair (80 mph on Daytona is slow as hell to watch) as lap after lap Lee Petty managed to turn away all challenges. It was made even duller by the fact that besides his Valiant, the next 7 positions were also hyper-pak Valiants.
(Notice the writer contradicts his earlier statement that the 1st seven places were all Valiants, now, it's the 1st place with Lee Petty, and seven more Valiants.) and the disclaimer on Allpar is: (We make no guarantees regarding validity or accuracy of information, predictions, or advice -)
Notice that Zora Duntov was cited as the Chevy engineer to be tasked with upgrading the Corvairs... and said he didn't have time to make them competitive with a 4 barrel carb set up, in this caption
The Chevrolet Corvair Fireball Roberts raced at Daytona in 1960 was completely stock and still had the window sticker from Don Allen Chevrolet in Miami.
Richard Petty came in #23 in the following 20 lap race, where only the 1st three finishers were Valiants, where Panch, Schechter, and Frank were 1, 2, and 3.
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