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Petra

Petra is one of the most successful Christian rock bands ever, a veritable institution whose name (taken from the Greek word for "rock") has come to reflect not only their music, but their staying power as well, even in spite of Christian radio's reluctance to program their brand of loud, slick arena rock. Petra was formed in 1972 by guitarist Bob Hartman, who was attending the Christian Training Center in Fort Wayne, IN at the time; he recruited several fellow students -- guitarist/vocalist Greg Hough, bassist John DeGroff, and drummer Bill Glover -- to his cause, and the group began playing around the Fort Wayne area with backing from their school. Petra encountered early resistance to the very idea of Christian rock from many local churches, who held that the rock & roll sound was inherently evil; nevertheless, the group proved popular with younger Christians, and was signed to the Word Records subsidiary Myrrh in 1973. Their self-titled debut was released in 1974, and was more similar to the California country-rock of the Eagles than to the arena rock that would dominate most of their career. The follow-up, Come and Join Us, did not appear until 1977, but it featured strong contributions from lead vocalist Greg Volz, as well as a harder-rocking sound.

Petra's lineup fluctuated over the next several years; in spite of the instability, they managed to record their first breakthrough effort, Washes Whiter Than, in 1979, which featured the Christian radio hit "Why Should the Father Bother." When the dust finally settled, the group consisted of Hartman, Volz, keyboardist John Slick, bassist Mark Kelly, and drummer Louie Weaver. The albums Never Say Die (1981), More Power to Ya (1982), and Not of This World (1983) did much to popularize the group, and in 1984, they were rewarded with a Grammy nomination for Best Contemporary Gospel Group and two Dove Award nominations (the first of many). For 1985's Beat the System, ex-Joe English Band keyboardist John Lawry replaced Slick. In 1986, Greg Volz left Petra for a solo career, and former Head East singer John Schlitt assumed vocal duties for Back to the Street. 1987's This Means War marked a successful transition to a less polished brand of rock & roll. Subsequent efforts, like 1988's On Fire!, which debuted bassist Ronny Cates, brandished a heavier guitar onslaught in the wake of Stryper's success as a Christian metal band, although Petra never neglected their trademark lush ballads. Petra has soldiered on through the '90s and into the 2000s with few signs of slowing down. 1995 saw Lawry replaced by Jim Cooper, and the addition of guitarist David J. Lichens. Subsequent efforts include 1998's God Fixation and 2000's Double Take. ~ Steve Huey, Rovi
full bio

Selected Discography

Comments

toddhelbig
Beyond Belief had to be the best album! I wore it out.
Petra Means Rock...
candy.kaloge r
i want to hear more. moe that is truly truly lifing me fron my seat.
GOD saved me in 1988. Went to my 1st Petra concert On Fire & brought my friend who got saved at the concert. Front row center stage...GOD knows how to do it AMEN!!!!
I KNOW! Not even similar!
So many of the similar artists are so retarded on here. Petra is nothing like Kutless or Jeremy Camp or Third Day or Casting Crowns. How about Keith Green, Whiteheart, DeGarmo and Key, Rez Band, etc?????
amfmill
Petra is definitely the premiere Christian rock band. Bob Hartman's lyrical content is, in my opinion, unsurpassed. And the music is always great, although I preferred Greg Volz's vocals over John Schitt's.
Petra had some good early stuff.....th i e r newer album drove them into th ground.
kgoddard0
On Fire was my first Christian album. Quickly moved on to Bride, Whitecross, Deliverance, Precious Death, DigHayZoose, Hot Pink Turtle, Fear Not, Yonderboy, Hoi Polloi, etc, etc. Now Christian bands are mainstream which is even better to broaden their audience: TFK, Flyleaf, Devil Wears Prada, P.O.D., the list goes on and on!
best christian rock band ever the one the only
Perta
abbermartin
Russ Taff, Charlie Peacock, David Mullen, Tabernacle Choir, The Choir, Phil Keagy for sure my brothers and sisters...
If you got saved in the 70's Jesus People era you know lots of good music was around at that time. Degarmo and Key, Kieth Green, Barry Mcguire, Amy Grant, 2nd Chapter of Acts, just to name a few.
Cool band how about AWSOME BAND my favorite album is God fixation
Spreading the word 80s style!
AWESOME!
cool band. my fav song is beyond belief. but if u like this check out white hearts album freedom. prob one of the best written and produced albums for christian rock. a lot of christian bands are known for not having the talent level of many secular bands ( which in part is true). but white hearts album freedom def pushed the envelope for christian rock bands in the eraly 90's. im not one to sit and listen to soft praise music that puts u to sleep. i ilke my music with attitude and i like it to
these artists are not bad but disciple n bride would be good too
bgmakriswork
I took their Praise 2 CD into my Church school class...near l y was stoned to death by brining "that kind" of music into church. Two of my former students are now worship leaders on their own, and guess whose music they are teaching their young flock...yup! Spirit of Petra lives on...praise GOD from whom all blessings flow...
MIND GARAGE! The first preforming Christian band in History. They played in the 60s. Psychedelic Rock Man lol
lol there were tons of christian 70s and 80s bands, it's sad that people don't know about all the christian bands that were out there. I still have to explore myself, Petra is one of my favs along with Rage Of Angels, Stryper and Whitecross. POWER TO THE JESUS PEOPLE ;)
h2hag
I never knew Christian bands even existed back then!!! These guys are awesome!
bgmakriswork
Petra was incredible and should be in rock'n roll hall of fame...
yeaaaaaaaay new petra cd!!
LOOOOOOOOOOO O O O O V E i think it's bogus that the discography is incomplete and half the dates for release are missing and the bio is about four times too short
They're Back!!! new album later this year!!!
acmeboy17
Petra = 30+ years of serving the Lord by ROCKING OUT!!

yeah the similar artists might not be 100% and pandora also missed mentioning Beyond Belief (top selling album)...
Petra Rocks a clear message for the Love of our redeemer!
Does anyone know how to spell a band called sheckaw? I cant figure out how to spell it
Please-consi d e r addind (Back to the Srteet) 1986-it has "fools gold" and "kings ransome" on it-what I feel to be 2 of strongest songs. Thanx Chaz.
justinbryers m i t h
pandora says that "petra" is like "casting crowns" ( ha ha ha! ). that is like saying that a hippo is like a lap pet.
anyway petra ROCKS!!!
Love Petra! Not sure Pandora's "Similar Artists" are quite on.
aragorn377
One of my earliest memories is my mom singing me to sleep with "Road to Zion." This band has always been a part of my life, and will always continue to be.
Good band. Got better in the Elefante years, but the rest have their moments (Classics like Judas Kiss, Coloring Song, God Gave Rock and Roll To Ya). Yeah, these are the grandaddies of Christian Rock and beyond.

For those of you looking for Petra Means Rock. . I'm not home right now, but I think I might have a copy lying around. . unless I already gave it away. I'll post back, hopefully. If I remember.

I'm so old . .
jbird935
Awesome group whom I miss since they retired, AGAIN!
Petra Rulez
Thank you Pandora for adding some of the older Petra albums. One question though, where is 'This Means War?' That was the first Petra tape I bought. It is also the first album that you can see Schlitt's input into the style of music. Back to the Street still bears the mark of Volz vocal styles even though he had left the band before recording.
Yo Paynim, Don't talk about Jesus like that, cause he is the only one that can save you.
Hey combatpilot3 , You own! Go Petra!
Boy what to say while keeping it short. I have been a Petra fan since the late 80's. I have every album from the frist to Petra Praise 2 in one format or another. I love breaking out the old vinyl even. Seen them in concert 3 times. Louie Weaver is one of the best drummers in rock (not just Christian rock). I love the solo section of the Captured in time and space live album. The "Jesus Loves You" keyboard solo is incredible. My hats off to Petra for bringing Christ to many who were bein
combatpilot3
Paynim, you indubitably are at the evolutionary level of the ape your Darwin claims we are descendants of.
rons26
Darwin rules, jesus drools
herecomes2mo r r o w
You can get some petra songs off of www.playlist . c o m . i still wanna get the song "beat the system''. that is the awesomest song ever!
(and yes i believe that God has a sense of humour!:)
Good for you steppinup!
steppinup31
I traded my "Petra Means Rock" cassette for a pack of gum when I walked away from the Lord. Now that I am back and have 3 small kids, I'd love to get a hold of it and blast it for them on the way to taking them to school, in the minivan that I said I'd never drive :) God has a sense of humor!!!!!!
attu01
I need "It is Finished" off "Beat the system"
herecomes2mo r r o w
These guys are awesome!
It's a shame that they are not together anymore!
I feel that Petra's NOT OF THIS WORLD is one of my favorites. Grave robber is a strong but effective soul catching song. If everyone today was to listen to this song, I would hope and pray that if they are not saved, it will bring them closer to accepting Christ as their Savior.
Bob Hartman is a phenominal songwriter and a darn good guitarist. The earlier petra was best. More Power to Ya is one of my favorites.
Classic Christian rock goodness. Thanks for adding more Petra albums -- still need Beat The System though!!! It's also good to see Pandora has changed the weighting for content as well as music in this genre. Several months ago, a Petra station yielded some very dark music selections. Now it's much better.
Oh I love PETRA. I guess JEKYLL & HYDE is my favorite cd of all. I can't get tired of hearing it!
ronew
A friend that played violin with the Continental Orchestra and Singers back around 1987 introduced me to the music of Petra "This Means War". I have enjoyed alot of their music since then. Kinda wished that I could have went to one of their concerts and met them personally. Wonder whatever became of them these days? Would love to find some more of the work that they done.
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