The Petra Zone

As most of you know, I am writing a book about John's life -- his testimony and music ministry, and I have been intensely researching and reading articles about him and Petra for over a year now. And I have come to a startling realization. No where have I found any article or heard any interview where Bob compliments John, or gives him appreciation for holding Petra together while he stayed at home with his family and rested from his years on the road. No mentions of how talented he thought John was. Onstage, John gives kudos to Bob, Paul, Greg and has introduced and praised other members throughout the years, but I've never heard Bob do the same for John.

I find this rather disturbing. Am I crazy? Does anyone have anything to the contrary?

I know what you mean, but I find Bob is a man of few words. He's eager to provide testimony/evangelize, but beyond that, I've rarely hear him talk (3 concert experiences).

I don't take it as a slight as much as something he's not great at (passing praise on). Also, I think John has a great gift in upifting others.

I don't read much into it.

Hmmm.....interesting observation..... I'll have to think on that one a bit.

calicowriter wrote:No where have I found any article or heard any interview where Bob compliments John, or gives him appreciation for holding Petra together while he stayed at home with his family and rested from his years on the road. No mentions of how talented he thought John was. Onstage, John gives kudos to Bob, Paul, Greg and has introduced and praised other members throughout the years, but I've never heard Bob do the same for John.

I find this rather disturbing. Am I crazy? Does anyone have anything to the contrary?

I could be wrong, but I suspect there are far fewer interviews with Bob from the time he wasn't touring than from the times he was touring. So that probably taints things a bit.

Also, keep in mind that interviews are largely driven by the questions being asked by the interviewer.

As someone who has interviewed Bob multiple times, I can say that he answers almost everything asked of him and he does so with considerate, thoughtful answers. But he doesn't steer interviews to a particular direction. So, if the interviewer isn't going to ask Bob about John and handling the band, then Bob probably isn't going to bring it up.

--Jsh

That is an interesting observation, but you never know what might get cut in the editing process, and like Josh said, it might not be brought up in the questioning process.

I'm sure Bob appreciates John keeping the band together, and I'm sure John knows he does.

I think Bob is very chosy on the wya he says things...and "in my opinion"...he wouldn't compliment John on keeping the band together would say that John did it and not God. And so what if he doesn't publically compliment John....I'd rather it be personal if you ask me...Also bob has praised john in the past...in Bob's book "more power to ya" bob mentions john as being an inspiration for the song "Don't let your heart be hardened". And anyways don't you think if he did appreciate john he would have shut petra down long time ago?

I know that Bob has always viewed Petra as the Lord's ministry not his. But at the same time, the ministry of Petra has always been precious to Bob. I cannot see him intrusting that ministry to anyone he did not absolutely trust and respect.

mmmmmmmmmmmmm..... well, I see John like a man of words, like more emotional and Bob more like a man of action.

What I�m trying to say is that some people show their feelings and thoughts through their action and through words. bob seems to be like that. He might not say "praises" about John but maybe with his actions he does ya know.

and john, on the other hand says what he thinks ya know, he express himself more through words than Bob.

that�s what I think.

Remember the BACK STAGE PASS Video - i havent got it currently, but isn't there a section where Bob comments on the antics/characteristics of each band member - I'm sure he says something very profound and uplifting about John Schlitt... something to the effect that "John is a very very close friend" or something. I'm sure he praises him on the video.

Sorry, but saying that he considers John "to also be a close friend" is nice, but not what I'd call complimentary. Maybe I'm making a big deal out of nothing, but I was just shocked to not find any references where Bob said anything about John's awesome stage presence, voice, dedication, etc. The closest was at the Ft. Wayne banquet when John himself said that he overheard Bob tell the other guys when he auditioned that "he (John) could hit the high note." It still didn't come from Bob -- in public.

I know most of you seem to just have the attitude, "Well, that's just Bob." My attitude is, "Well, that's a shame." Every night from the stage, when John introduced Bob, he gave Bob his props as a songwriter and a guitar player. When Bob took the mike to introduce the rock medley, there was a perfect opportunity to give John his due or ask the audience for applause for John. I saw nine shows, and I never saw it happen. Not even at the last show.

I really don't think its a slight of John.

I would email Bob with a list of speficific questions (plus your project) and await for a reply. Sometimes its a bit of hit and miss whether you get a reply, but he has replied to me before.

I have emailed him a dozen times over the years and he has always emailed me back even on this last tour I emailed him because I wanted Petra to play a certain song at the Irving show and he emailed me back and said he would talk to the guys and see if it was doable. BTW they didn't play the song.

I was at that show. WHat song did you ask them to sing?

well thinking that bob is mean and just don�t wanna give recognizion to john seems kind of drastic to me. bob would be stupid if he can�t reocognize the other guys labor, �cause he is not petra, petra depends of all ya know. i believe is just a personality issue.

After 20 years in the same band , I'm sure John knows where he stands with Bob. John's a great singer. He probably doesn't need to hear it from Bob. It's just a given. They're co-workers. I don't think either one of them give it much thought to be honest.