Petra

Petra started in Fort Wayne, Indiana in 1972, with Bob Hartman on vocals, Greg Hough on guitars, John Slick on drums, and John DeGroff on bass. They put out their first album in 1974, mixing hard rock with straightforward spiritual themes. That basic setup stuck with them through the 1980s, when they released records like 'More Power to Ya' and 'Not of This World'.

Songs like 'Adonai' and 'Shine Jesus Shine' became staples in Christian circles, built on simple guitar riffs and clear vocal harmonies. Keyboardist John Lawry joined in 1983 and stayed for years, adding texture to their sound. They kept playing live shows that drew large crowds, though their lyrics sometimes sparked debate among listeners.

By the mid-1990s, Hartman had stepped back from lead vocals, and the band went through other shifts in personnel. They never really stopped, but their later work settled into a familiar pattern, reliable, guitar-driven rock with a message. Tracks like 'Send Revival, Start With Me' and 'Over The Horizon' carried on in that vein.