The Petra Zone

I fell like John Schlitt and John Elefante have become desperate, singing older secular songs in their set, what on earth has happened!? I even saw a video of John Schlitt singing “Never Been Any Reason” with some kid who sounds like a strangled chicken, the audience was a dozen old people… it was so sad to see this. Then "Carry on My Wayward Son" pushed me over the edge... Is this what has become of these Christian rockers? I know my post is probably going to upset people (sorry Sue), but I had to get it off my chest… it just seems to be one step, then another step… what are they willing to do next?

Dan,

Not upsetting, but do you know that "Carry On" was about Livgren's searching for the true God of the universe? If you only look at the song, it can be lacking. But, if you take the song and see the results played out in the author's life, then that changes everything.

http://www.songfacts.com/detail.php?id=2452
http://archives.umc.org/interior.asp?ptid=1&mid=5303

As far as the other stuff goes, are you suggesting that they should be "too good to sing with us mortals"?

Regards, Phillip

No worries Philip, I was unaware of the meaning of "Carry on My Wayward Son" thanks for that.

I'm in a childhood delusion because I was a fan of the band as a little kid, I guess I always see them bigger than what they technically are, I guess when I see my hero's I want more for them. I saw John sing "never been any reason" with Head East a few years ago, I thought it was a one off occasion. I can handle seeing the John's playing small crowds, because I feel they have more to offer.

What you make not know is John E sang for Kansas, but has been involved with financial management, or something close to it IIRC. The E brothers and Kerry have had church for musicians in homes, etc. Kansas lyrics were full of Kerry's search, and finding God, through Jesus. Look on the interwebs via the googly and you will find interviews with them about the music and the meaning.

As far as John singing Head East stuff, he sang at the "hall of fame" show thing with the current band (a bunch of guys from KC). He has done a bad parody of it (not his fault) with a Christian band at a show here in KC. He told them originally he would never sing that song, then he came out and did it with them.

I guess it gets down to legalism. What does that song really mean? The song in and of itself is not evil. What was evil was how John was living when he was in Head East. John is a born again believer now. If he sings it, he is not changing his life back to how it used to be. He is merely singing a song he made famous. Whoopy. I would propose that the only REAL crime would be John wearing all of that feminine clothing he wore back in the day .

Dan wrote:I fell like John Schlitt and John Elefante have become desperate, singing older secular songs in their set, what on earth has happened!? I even saw a video of John Schlitt singing “Never Been Any Reason” with some kid who sounds like a strangled chicken, the audience was a dozen old people… it was so sad to see this. Then "Carry on My Wayward Son" pushed me over the edge... Is this what has become of these Christian rockers? I know my post is probably going to upset people (sorry Sue), but I had to get it off my chest… it just seems to be one step, then another step… what are they willing to do next?

It would help if you explained exactly why this is a problem.

Brent, that makes sense. I just see the guys doing stuff that would have been scrutinized 15 years ago. I was being religious, I need to stop doing that.

Dan, the concert you're referring to (strangled chicken? seriously??) was in Mt. Pulaski, John's hometown. They were doing a little street festival to raise money to help restore portions of a historic courthouse, which John's father had helped work on and restore years back. They asked John if he would come and do a short set.

It's a VERY small town, and no - there wasn't a lot of people there because it IS a small place. But definitely more than a dozen old folks. The stage set up was on one side of the street, with the rest of the stuff (food tents, vendors, etc) on the opposite side.

The fact that it had been raining for the past hour, did nothing to increase the number of folks. But those that were there had a great time!

As far as Elefante & Schlitt singing their old tunes - the concerts are meant to be a musical history of their pasts, and that includes Head East AND Petra songs. He's not 'going mainstream,' or featuring secular songs... it's just part of who he is and what made him what he is today.

Hey Sue, strangled chicken was all that came to mind (a term for strained vocals) if you saw it you would know what I mean, I wasn't referring to anything John did in his home town, however I would love to see that if there is a video! I have given up on my claim about Kansas and Head East songs, I have been over religious... I am sorry everyone for being religious nut case.

Dan wrote:Hey Sue, strangled chicken was all that came to mind (a term for strained vocals) if you saw it you would know what I mean, I wasn't referring to anything John did in his home town, however I would love to see that if there is a video! I have given up on my claim about Kansas and Head East songs, I have been over religious... I am sorry everyone for being religious nut case.

It's always good to be a little nutty; That is what most thought of Jesus in His day.

Hey Dan, I WAS there.... and I didn't hear any croaking chicken!

Now Stephen had no idea John was going to call him up there - he was just there to watch & support John. So if you do think he sounded rough - it's possible, because it was totally out of the blue, and no, Stephen didn't have time to warm up like most vocalists do. John's one of those rare ones who just goes out cold turkey with no warming up at all.

I think he sounded great for just jumping in there unprepared.

Here's the vid:

Strangled chicken? Dude, I wish I could sing like that! And what a treat for him to be able to share the stage with a rock legend like John Schlitt.

Mountain Man wrote:Strangled chicken? Dude, I wish I could sing like that! And what a treat for him to be able to share the stage with a rock legend like John Schlitt.

And here I thought John was the chicken!

I don't get what the problem was supposed to be with the singer (unless it's that he acted like a total clown)... seemed above average to me. I personally would prefer them to not do the old non-christian songs. It's not exactly evil, but seems completely pointless to me.

Well, it wouldn't be if you knew the young man and his relationship to a member of the original Head East band, etc.