Petra

Petra is an American Christian hard rock band formed in 1972 in the United States by Bob Hartman, Bill Glover, John DeGroff and Greg Hough. The band takes its name from the Greek word for “rock”, which makes it a three-way pun on its meaning, its Christian identity and its musical style.

History

Petra emerges from the Jesus music movement and is first signed to Myrrh Records. Early on, the band faces resistance from church audiences who regard rock music as unsuitable for worship, but it gradually gains wider acceptance. Its catalog includes songs with a more adult contemporary sound, including “The Coloring Song”.

By the mid-1980s, after Greg X. Volz leaves and John Schlitt joins on lead vocals, Petra establishes itself as a major Christian rock act, with a run of successful albums, singles and extensive touring. The release of Petra Praise: The Rock Cries Out marks a move towards modern worship music that later becomes part of the broader worship movement.

Awards and recognition

Petra is nominated for and wins Grammy and Dove Awards. After the release of Beyond Belief in 1991, it becomes the first rock band to win Group of the Year at the Dove Awards. It is also the first Christian rock band inducted into the Gospel Music Hall of Fame.

Later years

The band continues to release albums through changing line-ups and shifts in the Christian music market. Its final period includes the Farewell album, recorded from one of its last performances in Franklin, Tennessee, and its last performance takes place in Murphy, North Carolina at the start of 2006. Petra is active from 1972 to 2005.

Line-up changes and members

Over the years, Petra’s members include Bob Hartman, Bill Glover, John DeGroff, Greg Hough, Rob Frazier, Greg X. Volz, John Slick, Mark Kelly, Louie Weaver, John Lawry, John Schlitt, Ronny Cates, David J. Lichens, Kevin Brandow, Lonnie Chapin, Pete Orta, Trent Thomason, Bryce Bell, Quinton Gibson, Paul Simmons and Greg Bailey.

Notable line-ups include the early 1980s group for Captured in Time & Space: Bob Hartman, Greg X. Volz, John Slick, Mark Kelly, Louie Weaver and John Lawry; the late-1980s “Beyond Belief” line-up: Bob Hartman, John Schlitt, John Lawry, Louie Weaver and Ronny Cates; the late-1990s Petra Praise 2 - We Need Jesus line-up: John Schlitt, Louie Weaver, Lonnie Chapin, Pete Orta and Kevin Brandow; and the Farewell line-up: John Schlitt, Bob Hartman, Greg Bailey and Paul Simmons, with special appearances by Greg X. Volz and John Lawry.

Associated act

Bob Hartman and John Schlitt continue to tour together as II Guys From Petra.