Jimi Wayne Jamison was born on 23 August 1951, in Memphis, Tennessee USA, and was a singer, songwriter and musician, best known for being the frontman of the rock band Survivor. He’s also credited for writing and performing the “Baywatch” series theme song “I’m Always Here”. All of his efforts helped put his net worth to where it was, prior to his passing in 2014.
How rich was Jimi Jamison? As of mid-2017, sources estimate a net worth at $3 million, mostly earned through a successful career in the music industry. He was part of Survivor from 1984 to 1989, 2000 to 2006, and from 2011 until his death. All of these achievements ensured the position of his wealth.
Jimi Jamison Net Worth $3 million
As he was growing up, Jimi taught himself how to play the piano and guitar, and started to hone his vocal abilities. He attended Messick Jr. High, and played in a band called The Debuts which would record “If I Cry” in 1968, popular locally. He was also part of the band D-Beaver and would release one album with them.
In the late 1970s, Jamison became the frontman of the local band Target. They released two albums through A&M Records, and would open concerts for bands such as KISS and Black Sabbath. In 1982, he then created the band Cobra alongside Mandy Meyer, Tommy Keiser, Jack Holder, Jeff Klaven, and Butch Stone; they became known on the local scene and secured a record deal with Epic Records, releasing an album called “First Strike”. The following year, Jimi provided backup vocals for bands such as ZZ Top, while their album found a bit of commercial success. However, Cobra eventually disbanded in 1984.
Jamison was then invited to join Survivor whose success was fading after their hit “Eye of the Tiger”. The first song he recorded was the theme for the film “Karate Kid” called “The Moment of Truth”. His first album with the band – “Vital Signs” – proved very successful, and helped his net worth increase significantly. Some of the most popular songs from the album include “High on You” and “The Search Is Over”. In 1985 he had another hit – “Burning Heart” – which was used for the theme of “Rocky IV”. He created another album with Survivor called “When Seconds Count”, and it was certified gold. In 1988, he released his final album with the band in the ‘80s called “Too Hot to Sleep”, considered one of their best works but it suffered from the lack of promotion from the record label.
In 1989, Jimi launched his solo career, as the band went on hiatus, recording his own version of “Ever Since the World Began” for the film “Lock Up”. He also co-wrote and performed the “Baywatch” theme – “I’m Always Here”. In 1999, he released another solo album, “Empires” and then recorded the theme song for WWE Hall of Famer, Big Boss Man. He would reunite with Survivor the following year and they recorded material for a new album, released as “Reach” in 2006, before leaving the band and returning to solo work. He released the solo album “Crossroads Moment” two years later, and continued making albums in the following years, and also performed at various venues. In 2010, he released new singles and the following year, he created the album “Kimball/Jamison” alongside Bobby Kimball.
In 2011, Jamison returned to Survivor after a five year absence, and released an album while with Survivor entitled “Never Too Late”. He continued performing with the band in the next few years, with his last performance was in August of 2014.
For his personal life, it is known that Jimi married Brenda Fay in 1972 and they had a daughter, but divorced in 1983. Two years later he would marry Debbie Teal, and they would have two children; they separated in 1999 but remained married until his death. Jamison passed away in his home in September 2014, with the cause of death determined to be a hemorrhagic brain stroke.
