A 2003 formation conjured up by guitarist JIM PETERIK, noted for his pivotal role in the platinum act SURVIVOR as well as his hit songwriting contributions to a whole swathe of Rock artists. Peterik founded PRIDE OF LIONS with the relatively unknown singer Toby Hitchcock. The debut record, cut in the guitarist's own World Stage Studios in Chicago, Illinois, featured sessioneers Mike Aquino of MECCA and WORLD STAGE on guitar, Christian Cullen on keyboards, Clem Hayes on bass with Ed Breckenfeld and Hilary Jones on the drums.

PRIDE OF LIONS issued a June 2004 single 'Black Ribbons (Voices Of The World)' in memory of the victims of the bomb attacks in Spain. Unfortunately the accompanying, misworded press release stated that the song was a "fitting tribute to the terrorist attacks happened in Madrid on March 11th, 2004 which caused the death of 190 innocent victims."

PRIDE OF LIONS returned later that year with a new album 'The Destiny Stone'. On the live front, the band performed as co-headliners of the 'United Forces Of Rock' festival, alongside LEGS DIAMOND, SEVENTH KEY, JADED HEART, CASANOVA, PUMP, BLANC FACES and JOHN WETTON / GEOFFREY DOWNES, in October 2005 at the Rockfabrik in Ludwigsburg, Germany.

Later that same year JIM PETERIK engaged in recording the solo album 'Above The Storm', this opus featuring songs co-written with Johnny Van Zant of LYNYRD SKYNYRD and Donnie Van Zant of 38 SPECIAL. Studio musicians included the PRIDE OF LIONS collective Mike Aquino on guitar, Klem Hayes on bass, Christian Cullen on keyboards with Ed Breckenfeld on drums.

PRIDE OF LIONS issued the CD and DVD 'Live In Belgium' package, recorded and filmed at the band's European debut concert held in August 2005 Lokerse Feesten in Belgium, during June 2006. Peterik and Hitchcock then set to work on a fresh PRIDE OF LIONS album dubbed 'The Roaring Of Dreams'. The PRIDE OF LIONS band line-up remained stable, still counting Mike Aquino on guitar, Klem Hayes on bass, Christian Cullen on keyboards and drummer Ed Breckenfeld.