Among Christian rock acts, few have matched Petra's stature as a longstanding powerhouse, a group whose moniker—drawn from the Greek term for "rock"—came to symbolize both their sound and their resilience, even as Christian radio resisted their loud, polished arena-rock approach. Guitarist Bob Hartman founded the band in 1972 while studying at the Christian Training Center in Fort Wayne, Indiana, enlisting fellow students guitarist/vocalist Greg Hough, bassist John DeGroff, and drummer Bill Glover to form the initial lineup that performed locally with institutional support. Although many area churches denounced the rock & roll idiom as inherently corrupt, younger believers embraced the music, prompting a 1973 deal with Myrrh, the Word Records affiliate. The self-titled debut arrived in 1974, its California country-rock leanings closer to the Eagles than the arena style that would later define the band. Not until 1977 did Come and Join Us surface, showcasing potent vocals from lead singer Greg Volz alongside a more aggressive sound.
Personnel shifts marked the ensuing years, yet the 1979 release Washes Whiter Than emerged as their initial commercial breakthrough, anchored by the Christian radio success "Why Should the Father Bother." Once the roster stabilized, it comprised Hartman, Volz, keyboardist John Slick, bassist Mark Kelly, and drummer Louie Weaver. The records Never Say Die (1981), More Power to Ya (1982), and Not of This World (1983) broadened their audience, earning a 1984 Grammy nomination for Best Contemporary Gospel Group plus the first of numerous Dove Award nods. Ex-Joe English Band keyboardist John Lawry supplanted Slick for 1985's Beat the System. Greg Volz departed in 1986 to pursue solo work, leaving former Head East singer John Schlitt to handle vocals on Back to the Street. The 1987 album This Means War accomplished a convincing shift toward a rawer rock edge. Later projects, such as 1988's On Fire!—which introduced bassist Ronny Cates—adopted a heavier guitar attack inspired by Stryper's rise as a Christian metal act, while still retaining the lush ballads that remained a hallmark. Petra persisted through the 1990s and into the 2000s with little evident decline. Lawry gave way to Jim Cooper in 1995, and guitarist David J. Lichens joined at the same time. Further releases encompassed 1998's God Fixation and 2000's Double Take.
