Tuesday, October 18, 2005

Farewell to a legendary band

After a 30 year career spanning 4 decades, Petra is calling it quits.

To celebrate 33 years of music and ministry from the pioneering Christian rock band, PETRA, Inpop Records will release PETRA FAREWELL on November 22nd. PETRA FAREWELL, recorded on October 4th in front of an audience of family, friends and fans at W274 in Franklin, Tennessee, features PETRA classics, emerging worship favorites, and special guest appearances by former band members, including vocalist Greg X. Volz and keyboard player John Lawry.

“It was great to see Greg and John on the same stage together,” says PETRA lead vocalist since 1986, John Schlitt. “Everyone had fun and I’m sure the fans enjoyed the show. We’ve had a wonderful 33 years, and God has done amazing things through this band. We are thankful for all He has given us,” Schlitt says.

PETRA, currently comprised of Schlitt, band founder/guitarist/songwriter Bob Hartman, drummer Paul Simmons and bassist Greg Bailey, has impacted generations of musicians and fans alike over the years with over seven million CDs sold, four Grammy Awards, 10 Dove Awards and an induction into the Gospel Music Hall of Fame. The band initially formed in 1972 and paved the way for the rock genre perhaps more than any other in the Christian music industry.

4 comments:

Chris Whisonant said...

Yeah, their first album was back in 1974. Their Unseen Power tour was the first concert I ever saw. Beyond Belief is, by far, my favorite album.

I remember going to a John Schlitt concert for his solo album at the former location of PTL in Fort Mill, SC. PTL was, if you recall, the ministry of Jim and Tammie Faye Bakker!!

I've probably seen Petra 3 or 4 times...

Anonymous said...

Makes me want to go home and list to some old songs.

Chris Whisonant said...

Chad, I've got their discography playing in Musicmatch now...

I also pre-ordered the album. Has anyone heard the new Stryper album?

Greg said...

Yeah...this is really sad. To show my age, my favorite albums include More Power To Ya, Never Say Die and This Means War. I saw them in concert for the first time, the On Fire tour, when I was 15 (which is...sheesh, 19 years ago! ouch!).

They don't make bands like this anymore.