John Schlitt

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John Schlitt
Image:Jschlitt.JPG
John Schlitt in Cabo Rojo, Puerto Rico
Background information
Birth name John William Schlitt
Born February 3 1950 (1950-02-03) (age 59)
Origin Image:Flag of the United States.svg Lincoln, Illinois, U.S.
Genre(s) Rock
Contemporary Christian
Occupation(s) singer, real estate agent
Instrument(s) vocals
Years active 1975-present
Associated
acts 		Petra
Head East
Website www.johnwschlitt.com

John William Schlitt (born February 3, 1950 in Lincoln, Illinois) is known for his career as the lead singer of Christian Rock band Petra from 1986 until the band's retirement in late 2005. Prior to joining Petra in 1986, Schlitt was the vocalist for secular hard-rock band Head East.

Contents

[edit] Biography

[edit] Early Years

John Schlitt was born in Lincoln, Illinois. Shortly after, his family moved to Mt. Pulaski where he grew up. Schlitt began singing and showing interest in music from a very young age. When he was 13 years old, he joined a band called Vinegar Hills Hometown Band Something Different. He went to Mt. Pulaski High School in his hometown graduating in 1968. It was during his high school years that he would meet future wife, Dorla Froelich[1].

After graduating from high school, Schlitt enrolled on the University of Illinois for a degree in Civil Engineering. However, his main interest was still music. In 1972, he joined the rock band Head East as lead singer with some fellow students of the university. Juggling his musical career and college studies, Schlitt finally graduated from college in 1974 and dedicated full-time to his career in music[2].

[edit] Head-East Era and Aftermath

Main article: Head East

During the following years with Head East, Schlitt enjoyed the success of the band that produced several hits during the 70s. They released together four studio and one live album. However, during the time, Schlitt also developed a dependency on cocaine and alcohol[3]. His dependency reached a peak when he was fired from the band in March of 1980.

After being fired, Schlitt formed a short-lived band, but it quickly vanished as his addiction intensified in a six-month depression during which he "came very close to suicide."[4][5]. During that same period, however, his wife became a born-again Christian, and subsequently convinced Schlitt to see her pastor. Schlitt confesses that he had already decided to end his life and complied only "so my wife would be able to say ‘he tried’ after I was gone"[6].

However, Schlitt also became a born-again Christian and left his addiction to drugs and alcohol. Schlitt decided to leave the music scene and dedicate to his family. After that, he started working in a factory, and slowly rose until becoming a mining engineer and then a cost and scheduling engineer[7].

[edit] Petra Era

Main article: Petra (band)

Five years after leaving the music industry, John received a call from Bob Hartman and was invited to audition for Christian rock band, Petra. The band had just lost its lead singer Greg X. Volz, who had left to pursue a solo career. After a session with Hartman (band's co-founder and guitarist), he was asked to join the band. He sang his first show on February 3, 1986, beginning a career that would span nearly two decades. His first album with the band was the 1986 release Back to the Street.

During his career with Petra, the band released 2 RIAA certified Gold albums[8] (Beyond Belief and Petra Praise: The Rock Cries Out) and earned 4 Grammy and numerous Dove Awards. His travels and performances with the group reached all 50 states of America as well as 18 countries.

[edit] Solo career

During breaks from Petra, Schlitt recorded and released two solo albums: Shake in 1995, and Unfit For Swine in 1996. Both albums were moderately successful and received positive reviews[9][10][11][12][13].

Schlitt has claimed that he had material for a third album, but his commitment to Petra has prevented him from working them out.[citation needed]

After Petra's retirement in 2005, Schlitt and Petra guitarist and founder, Bob Hartman started working on an album together as II Guys From Petra. The album was released in January 26, 2007 titled Vertical Expressions. Besides that, Schlitt started working on his third solo project, titled The Grafting, which is set to be released in January 2008. Dan Needham, Schlitt's son-in-law, is producing the album.

[edit] Personal life

Schlitt has been married to wife Dorla since August 28, 1971. They have four children together:[14]

They currently live in Franklin, Tennessee.

Schlitt is currently a real estate agent for Keller-Williams Realty in Brentwood, Tennessee.

[edit] Discography

[edit] Solo Discography

Jschlitt-shake.jpg
Shake
1995
Jschlitt-swine.gif
Unfit For Swine
July, 1996

[edit] Other Contributions

[edit] Notes

  1. ^ A Guide to Petra: Michael and Cathy Jones (1998). John Schlitt Biography.
  2. ^ A Guide to Petra: Michael and Cathy Jones (1998). John Schlitt Biography.
  3. ^ John W. Schlitt. Biography & Testimony.
  4. ^ John Schlitt MySpace Page.
  5. ^ CBNMusic: Savage, Cynthia and Tim Branson. John W. Schlitt: A Rock Star Redeemed.
  6. ^ John W. Schlitt. John W. Schlitt Biography.
  7. ^ CBNMusic: Savage, Cynthia and Tim Branson. John W. Schlitt: A Rock Star Redeemed.
  8. ^ CMSpin (October 23, 2007). Petra Frontman John Schlitt To Release Third Solo Album In January.
  9. ^ John W. Schlitt. Reviews for Unfit for Swine from various publications.
  10. ^ Christian Music Review Headquarters: David Longenecker (December 1, 1995). CMRH Reviews: Shake by John Schlitt.
  11. ^ Ebay (2006 and 2007). Shake Reviews.
  12. ^ RateYourMusic. Shake by John Schlitt.
  13. ^ John W. Schlitt. Shake reviews from various publications.
  14. ^ Petra1: Daniel Brian Abbey (2002). Petra Lineup.

[edit] See also

[edit] External links

v • d • e
Petra
MembersBob Hartman • John Schlitt • Greg Bailey • Paul Simmons
Former membersVocals : Greg Hough • Rob Frazier • Greg X. Volz Drums : Bill Glover • Louie Weaver Guitars : Greg Hough • Rob Frazier • David Lichens • Pete Orta • Kevin Brandow Bass : John DeGroff • Greg Rupp • Mark Kelly • Ronny Cates • Lonnie Chapin • Mike Brandenstein Keyboards : Rob Frazier • John Slick • John Lawry • Jim Cooper • Kevin Brandow • Trent Thomason • Bryce Bell
Albums
Petra • Come and Join Us • Washes Whiter Than • Never Say Die • More Power To Ya • Not of this World • Beat the System • Captured In Time and Space • Back to the Street • This Means War! • On Fire! • Petra Praise: The Rock Cries Out • Beyond Belief • Unseen Power • Wake-Up Call • No Doubt • Petra Praise 2: We Need Jesus • God Fixation • Double Take • Revival • Jekyll & Hyde • Petra Farewell •
Spanish albums
Petra en Alabanza • Jekyll & Hyde en Español
Compilations
Star Song Records : Petra Means Rock 1989 • War & Remembrance (2CD) 1990 • Petrafied: The Best of Petra 1991 • Petraphonics 1992 • Power Praise 1993 • Rock Block 1995 • The Early Years 1996 • The Ultimate Collection 2006 • The Early Years 2006 Re-release Word Records : Still Means War 2002 • The Power Of Praise 2003 • The Praise Collection 2006 • The Definitive Collection 2007 Miscellaneous : The Coloring Song 1999 • Greatest Hits, Vol. 1 2001
Videos
Music videos : Whole World • Fired Up • Defector • Hit You Where You Live • First Love • Beyond Belief • Love • Creed • I Am On The Rock • Armed and Dangerous • Seen and Not Heard • Sight Unseen • Destiny • In The Likeness of You • I Need To Hear From You • Dance • Wake-Up Call • Just Reach Out • Think Twice • Right Place
Video events : Captured In Time and Space • On Fire! Video Event • Beyond Belief • Backstage Pass • Wake-Up Call Video Collection • Revival • Farewell • Captured In Time & Space DVD
Related articles
Discography • Project Damage Control • Vertical Expressions
Categories
Members • Albums

da:John Schlitt fi:John Schlitt sv:John Schlitt

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