Rock band says farewell

Christian music with a rock-based sound is practically the norm now.
By JOHN BENSON
VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT
There was a time not so long ago that a rock band -- guitar, bass and drums -- performing in church was borderline heresy.
This was the case in 1972 when Bob Hartman formed Petra as a rock band with a spiritual message. Three decades later, contemporary Christian music (CCM), which is rock-based in sound, is practically the norm in churches around the world.
Since the band first came together, Petra has sold more than 7 million albums and released over 20 discs. Recently, the outfit sensed the time was right to call it quits. Petra's farewell tour pulls into Youngstown for a Sunday show at Powers Auditorium. Despite the ubiquity of CCM and the band's success, Hartman remains amazed at the evolution and transformation of the religious genre.
"Yeah, things have definitely changed a lot since we started," Hartman said. "In those early days, we had a hard time sometimes with churches. There were many churches preaching against rock music from the pulpit."
Hartman said what changed was a turnover in church leadership.
As for Petra's career, peer acceptance didn't happen until the early '90s during the time of the band's "Beyond Belief" album. Not only did the band receive a Dove Award but it was inducted into the Gospel Music Hall of Fame.