Daniel Abbey

When I think of the greatest vocal talent in the history of rock, only two names come to mind: Sebastian Bach (from Skid Row) and John Schlitt (Petra). I could name many others of course, from Bono to Morrissey to Axl Rose, but for sheer range and screaming power, these two guys sit at the top of my list.

Schlitt, of course, is my favorite of the two. The man is a dynamo, on and off the stage. When he sings, it’s heavy metal at its finest. He can also render the most endearing of ballads, Prayer (from the 1990 album Beyond Belief) being the finest example.

But more than his enigmatic and formidable voice, the most compelling aspect of John Schlitt is his life. The guy is a heavy-duty Christian, a powerful living testimony of God’s redeeming love.

In the video below he describes how he started out as the lead singer of secular band Head East, became an alcoholic and junkie, and contemplated committing suicide after being fired from the band and hitting rock bottom. How God miraculously pulled him out of that mess and repurposed his life as a restored husband and father. And how eventually God would call on him to start singing again as frontman for the greatest Christian rock group in the world.

It’s awesome stuff.