Petra (band)
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Petra, which means "rock, massive" in Greek, is a Christian Rock band formed in the 70s. For three decades, the band showed amazing stability and continued to produce albums despite changes in genre and the general taste of the public. Despite numerous line-up changes, the band maintained its commitment to preaching the gospel through their music. The band won numerous awards and sold millions of albums.
On May 24, 2005 Petra announced their retirement after 33 years of ministry. They recorded one of their final performances in Franklin, Tennessee to release it as their last album. Their last performance finished in the early hours of January 1, 2006 in Murphy, North Carolina.
History
The birth of Petra
The band was founded by guitarists and songwriters Bob Hartman and Greg Hough in 1972, while they were studying at the Christian Training Center in Fort Wayne, Indiana. It was where they hooked up with bassist John DeGroff (with whom Hartman had played before) and started playing together. Drummer Bill Glover was added later. The band was part of what was known as Jesus music, a part of the larger Jesus Movement of the late 60s and early 70s. Although the band never achieved great success during this period, it gained a solid fanbase. Word Records got wind of it and they signed them for their first album, released in 1974.
At first, Hartman and Hough shared singing duties. However, upon inviting Greg X. Volz to help drum for their second album, Come and Join Us, they gave him the opportunity to sing lead vocals, showing the band promise for the future. The song "God Gave Rock and Roll To You" (originally written by Russ Ballard and recorded by Argent) displayed Volz's range and projection, and gave Petra their staple message of the decade. Shortly after, Hough, DeGroff, and Glover left the band, and Hartman was left alone with Volz. A period of instability surrounded the release of the band's third album in 1979, Washes Whiter Than, where Volz shared singing responsibilities with newcomer Rob Frazier. Although the album tried hard to "please" a non-condoning audience, Petra found themselves as a non-membered band lacking identity.
The Greg X. Volz era
After floundering through the turn of the decade, Bob and Greg again found themselves without members, without sales, and without direction. Toying with the thought of giving up, the boys gave it one more try and reformed the band with bass player Mark Kelly and keyboard player John Slick. Giving Greg Volz full lead singing position and with nothing to lose, they hit the studio for a final attempt at a "no holds barred" gospel rock album.Never Say Die in 1981 started the band's rise to gospel stardom, and gave Petra the audience and radio space needed to grow their ministry. They toured that album as an opening act for Servant. During the tours they captured the hearts and ears of an enthusiastic audience and started a new era of Contemporary Christian music. Sometime after the release of Never Say Die the band acquired drummer Louie Weaver, who would stay in Petra for the next 22 years.
Never compromising lyrically or musically, the band released a string of three successful albums and toured as often as possible. During this period, Slick departed and John Lawry joined as the new keyboardist. Being on the road for such lengthy durations began to take its toll, and in 1985, Volz decided to leave the band to spend more time with his family and pursue a solo career. The band released their first of two live albums: Captured In Time and Space. Volz's departure ignited a frantic search for a suitable lead singer to continue the ministry.
The John Schlitt era
At the end of 1985, John Schlitt—former Head East vocalist—joined the band as lead singer. He brought a more hard rock/heavy metal-type sound to the band. The band soon released the album Back to the Street, which was moderately successful.
As this line-up cemented, the band started their most prolific period. During this period they released what might be considered their most successful albums: This Means War!, On Fire! and Beyond Belief. It was 1990's Beyond Belief that catapulted the band to the top of the charts of gospel music. The album also won a Grammy for Best Rock/Gospel Album. Also, during this period, Kelly left the band and was replaced by Ronny Cates.
This line-up comprised of Schlitt, Hartman, Cates, Lawry and Weaver turned to be the most stable in the band's 33 years of history. This five members remained together until 1994 when Lawry retired.
Their success and popularity as a band during this period was also assisted by working with the talented production team of John and Dino Elefante, who helped bring out the best in the band and contributed to Petra's commercial, big-arena rock sound.
The following albums, Unseen Power and Wake-Up Call, won the band several more awards, including two more Grammys, and several Dove Awards.
Trouble in the 90s
As the decade reached its mid-point, several situations brought the band to what could be considered their worst period. First, guitarist and founder Hartman decided to leave the band during tours to dedicate time to his family. He did remain as producer, songwriter, and studio guitarist. John Lawry also left the band to pursue other goals. In came David Lichens (guitar) and Jim Cooper (keyboards), and the band released their next album in 1995: No Doubt.Although the album was a commercial success, it signaled a change in the band's music, departing from the edgy hard-rock they had played. Also, rumored situations between the new members and Schlitt prompted them to leave the band a year later. During this transition period, Cates left the band and was replaced by Lonnie Chapin. They released their second praise album () in 1997 to much critical praise and commercial success.
A new birth?
With Chapin came guitarist Pete Orta and keyboardist Kevin Brandow. This line-up of talented young musicians combined with the experience of Schlitt and Weaver gave hope of a new birth for the band. The new members, along with Hartman, immersed themselves in the writing and composing of their next disc. The resulting album, God Fixation, was released in 1998.Despite some favorable criticism, the album didn't perform as it was expected. Additionally, changes in the rock genre veered towards an edgier sound, whereas the album focused on a more soft-rock vein. The band continued to struggle, trying to gain new audiences and bring back old audiences. They re-recorded new versions of some of the band's classic songs for an album released in 2000 called Double Take. The album also featured two new songs, one of which was written and sung by guitarist Orta.
Although the album won the band their fourth Grammy, it was shunned by most purists as a "heresy" and an insult to the classic hits. Shortly after, Chapin left the band to join Tait, and Orta went on to pursue a solo career. Brandow also left. To make matters worse, the band was dropped from their record label afterwards.
Petra in the new millennium
In 2001 the band was signed to Inpop Records. Trying to pick up somewhere, Inpop and guitarist/founder Hartman decided to concentrate on Schlitt and Weaver as Petra's remaining core members instead of hiring new ones. With that in mind, they released their third praise album: Revival. The album did gain some attention for the band, as they ventured on tour with new members Bryce Bell (keyboards), Quinton Gibson (guitars) and Greg Bailey (bass).
The tour was a success and the band seemed destined to rise from the ashes. But more storms were to come. Gibson left to join another band, and long-time drummer Louie Weaver was fired amidst lots of rumours and controversy. However, the band wasn't let down by that and geared up for their next album. Weaver later issued a statement where he said he was fired by John Schlitt and manager Wayne Seboa. Hartman later clarified that it was Schlitt's call to fire Weaver after much praying and consulting with his pastor.
In 2003, responding to the complaints of most of its audience, the band released what is considered their heaviest album to date: Jekyll & Hyde. The album was a critical success and the band embarked on another tour as they hired new drummer Paul Simmons. Everything looked bright, but despite the critical success of the album, it seemed to spark little interest in the band.
Petra Farewell
After much consideration and praying, Schlitt and Hartman decided to retire the band at the end of 2005. A Farewell Tour was hastily booked. On October 4, 2005, Petra taped a concert performance in Franklin, Tennessee, for release on a final live CD and DVD titled Petra Farewell. Former members Greg X. Volz and John Lawry joined the current band on stage for a few songs each, including a ballad medley in which Volz and John Schlitt traded off vocals on songs from their respective eras. Volz took the stage alone for the classic "Grave Robber," and keyboard player John Lawry played his signature keyboard solo "Jesus Loves You" from the Captured in Time & Space album. The CD was released in November 2005, and the DVD was released in March 2006.Band members
The band's original lineup consisted of:
- Greg Hough – guitar and vocals
- Bob Hartman – guitar and vocals
- John DeGroff – bass guitar
- Bill Glover – drums
Former Members
(this is a partial list. It might not include all of the members that have toured with the band, especially during the late 70's)Lead Vocals
- Bob Hartman & Greg Hough (1972-1979)
- Rob Frazier (1979)
- Greg X. Volz (Guest 1977, lead 1978-1985)
- John Schlitt (1986-2005)
Drums
- Bill Glover (1972-1979)
- Greg X. Volz (1979-1981) note: played drums on tour, not in studio
- Louie Weaver (1981-2003)
- Paul Simmons (2003-2005)
Guitars
- Bob Hartman (1972-1995, 2000-2005) & Greg Hough (1972-1979)
- Rob Frazier (1979)
- David Lichens (1995-1997)
- Pete Orta (1997-2000)
- Kevin Brandow (1997-1999)
- Quinton Gibson (2002-2003)
Bass
- John DeGroff (1972-1979)
- Greg Rupp (1979-1981)
- Mark Kelly (1981-1987)
- Ronny Cates (1988-1996)
- Lonnie Chapin (1997-2001)
- Mike Brandenstein (2001)
- Greg Bailey (2001-2005)
Keyboards
- Rob Frazier (1979-1980)
- John Slick (1981-1983)
- John Lawry (1984-1994)
- Jim Cooper (1994-1997)
- Kevin Brandow (1997-1999, 2000-2001)
- Trent Thomason (1999)
- Bryce Bell (2000-2003)
Trivia
- Guitarist/founder Bob Hartman has recorded guitars for all of the albums of the band, even though he wasn't featured on the promotional media or album pictures for No Doubt, , God Fixation, and Double Take. These four albums were released from 1995 to 2000 when Hartman had partially retired from the band (mainly touring).
- Other than Hartman, the member that spent the most years with the band was drummer Louie Weaver (22 years), followed by singer John Schlitt (19 years).
- In 2004, the band held a sort of reunion concert in Angola, Indiana. Founder Hartman invited original members Greg Hough and John DeGroff to share the stage with him. Original drummer Bill Glover wasn't able to attend. The original band members shared the stage with current members John Schlitt, Greg Bailey, and Paul Simmons. Simmons even played the set of the original members due to the absence of Glover.
- After the departure of keyboardist Bryce Bell in 2003, Hartman convinced Schlitt to not include a keyboard player for the upcoming tour. It was the first time the band didn't have an official keyboardist since 1981 when John Slick was hired.
Discography
| Album | Information |
|---|---|
| Petra
|
| Come and Join Us
|
| Washes Whiter Than
|
| Never Say Die
|
| More Power To Ya
|
| Not of this World
|
| Beat the System
|
| Captured In Time and Space
|
| Back to the Street
|
| This Means War!
|
| On Fire!
|
|
|
| Beyond Belief |
| Unseen Power
|
| Petra en Alabanza
|
| Wake-Up Call
|
| No Doubt
|
|
|
| God Fixation
|
| Double Take
|
| Revival
|
| Jekyll & Hyde
|
| Jekyll & Hyde en Español
|
| Petra Farewell
|
Unreleased Songs
Petra recorded several songs for multi-artist compilation albums that are not available on any of the band's own albums. The band also has songs that were performed only in concert or never recorded for an album.- "Rocking On With Jesus" (played in concert in 1970s, never recorded)
- "Onward Christian Soldiers" (featured on the album Our Hymns, 1989)
- "Who Do You Listen To?" (featured on the album Songs For A Small Circle Of Friends, 1989)
- "Our Turn Now" (featured on Carman's album Addicted To Jesus, 1991)
- "I Don't Want To Fall Away From You" (featured on the album No Compromise: Remembering The Music of Keith Green, 1992)
- "It's A New Day" (written for Jekyll & Hyde, 2003, unreleased) [link]
Videos
- Captured In Time & Space (1986, Starsong)
- On Fire! Video Event (1989, Word)
- Beyond Belief Video Album (Mini Movie) (1990, Word)
- Backstage Pass (1992, Word)
- Wake-Up Call Video Collection (1993, Word)
- Revival Inpop (November 20, 2001, Inpop Records)
- Farewell (March 7, 2006, Inpop Records)
- Captured in Time & Space DVD (2006, exclusively licensed to Petra Productions, Inc.) [link] [link] [link]
Compilation Albums
There are several official and unofficial compilation albums of Petra.- Petra Means Rock (1989, StarSong)
- War & Remembrance (1990, StarSong)
- Petrafied: The Best Of Petra (1991, StarSong)
- Petraphonics (1992, StarSong)
- Power Praise (1993, StarSong)
- Rock Block (1995, StarSong)
- The Early Years (1996, StarSong)
- The Coloring Song (1999, EMI/Capitol)
- Greatest Hits, Vol. 1 (2001, Word)
- Still Means War (2002, Word)
- The Power Of Praise (2003, Word)
- The Praise Collection (2006, Word)
- The Ultimate Collection (2006, StarSong)
Awards
- Inducted into the Gospel Music Hall of Fame (2000)
- Inducted into the Hard Rock Cafe
- Recorded Music Packaging – Petra Praise: The Rock Cries Out (1990)
- Long Form Music Video – "Beyond Belief" (1990)
- Group of the Year (1991)
- Rock Album – Beyond Belief (1991)
- Rock Recorded Song – "Beyond Belief" (1991)
- Recorded Music Packaging – Beyond Belief (1991)
- Rock Recorded Song – "Destiny" (1993)
- Rock Album – Wake-Up Call (1994)
- Rock Album – No Doubt (1996)
- Praise and Worship Album – Petra Praise 2: We Need Jesus (1998)
External links
- Recorded Music Packaging – Petra Praise: The Rock Cries Out (1990)
- Long Form Music Video – "Beyond Belief" (1990)
- Group of the Year (1991)
- Rock Album – Beyond Belief (1991)
- Rock Recorded Song – "Beyond Belief" (1991)
- Recorded Music Packaging – Beyond Belief (1991)
- Rock Recorded Song – "Destiny" (1993)
- Rock Album – Wake-Up Call (1994)
- Rock Album – No Doubt (1996)
- Praise and Worship Album – Petra Praise 2: We Need Jesus (1998)
External links
- [Official site]
- [Fan message board]
- [Petra Means Rock]
- [Petra Rocks My World]
- [Guide to Petra]
- [Petraspective]
- [Petra Praise]
- [Australian Petra site]
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