Petra

Among the most accomplished acts in Christian rock stands Petra, an institution whose moniker—drawn from the Greek term for "rock"—captures both their sound and their remarkable endurance, despite Christian radio's longstanding aversion to their high-volume, glossy arena style. Guitarist Bob Hartman launched 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; the quartet soon performed locally with institutional support from their school. Early opposition arose from area churches that viewed rock & roll itself as corrupt, yet younger believers embraced the group, leading to a 1973 contract with Myrrh, the Word Records imprint. Their 1974 self-titled debut leaned closer to the Eagles' California country-rock than to the stadium rock that later defined them. Four years passed before Come and Join Us arrived in 1977, showcasing robust vocals from Greg Volz alongside a noticeably harder edge.

Lineup shifts marked the ensuing period, yet the band still produced their breakthrough album Washes Whiter Than in 1979, which included 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 releases Never Say Die (1981), More Power to Ya (1982), and Not of This World (1983) broadened their reach, earning a 1984 Grammy nomination for Best Contemporary Gospel Group plus two Dove Award nods—the first of many. John Lawry, formerly of the Joe English Band, replaced Slick for 1985's Beat the System. Volz departed the following year to pursue solo work, prompting John Schlitt, ex-Head East frontman, to take over vocals on Back to the Street. This Means War in 1987 signaled a convincing move toward a rawer rock approach. Later projects, such as 1988's On Fire!—which introduced bassist Ronny Cates—delivered a heavier guitar attack inspired by Stryper's rise as a Christian metal act, while still retaining Petra's signature expansive ballads. The group continued through the 1990s and 2000s with little evidence of decline; Lawry gave way to Jim Cooper in 1995, and guitarist David J. Lichens joined at the same time. Further recordings encompass 1998's God Fixation and 2000's Double Take.