Petra consists of Bob Hartman (guitarist, producer), Greg Bailey (bass guitarist), John Schlitt (vocalist), Paul Simmons.
Petra is a Christian Rock band formed in the 70s. "Petra" means "rock" in Greek. For three decades, the band has shown amazing stability and has continued to produce albums despite changes in the genre and the general taste. Despite numerous line-up changes, the band has maintained its commitment to preaching the gospel through their music. The band has won numerous awards and sold millions of albums.
On May 24th, 2005 Petra announced their retirement after 33 years of ministry. They recorded one of their final performances in Franklin, Tennessee to release it as their last album. Their last performance was December 31, 2005 in Murphy, North Carolina.
The band was founded by guitarists and songwriters Bob Hartman and Greg Hough in 1972, while they were studying at the Christian Training Center in Fort Wayne, Indiana. It was where they hooked up with bassist John DeGroff and started playing together. Drummer Bill Glover was added later. The band was part of what was known as the Jesus Movement. Although the band never achieved great success during this period, it gained a solid fanbase. Word Records got wind of it and they signed them for their first album, released in 1974.
At first, Hartman and Hough shared singing duties. However, upon inviting Greg X. Volz to help drum for their second album, Come and Join Us, they gave him the opportunity sing lead vocals, showing the band promise for the future. The song "God Gave Rock'n'Roll To You" displayed Volz's range and projection, and gave them their staple message of the decade. Shortly after, Hough, DeGroff, and Glover left the band, and Hartman was left alone with Volz. A period of instability surrounded the release of the band's third album in 1979, Washes Whiter Than, where Volz shared singing responsibilities with newcomer Rob Frazier. Although the album tried hard to "please" a non-condoning audience, Petra found themselve as a non-membered band lacking identity.
