The Petra Zone

Yesterday I saw this video of Petra and... well, I will confess, It's the first time that I saw Pete Orta in a video with Petra and this was my first question:

What happened to Pete Orta in this video?...

This is the link for the video:

Would you believe Pete was actually in full health at the time of the taping! No cerebral palsy or anything.


I think this might have been the peak of John's vocals, I just love this.

Would you believe Pete was actually in full health at the time of the taping! No cerebral palsy or anything.

Is that why he left music? I didn't know he come down with that. My cousin was born with it, so I know what it does to someone.

That was recorded at Alive Festival 2000 in Canal Fulton, OH. I remember that they did a webcast of this show. Man, that's already long ago. Pete used to have these totally unnecessary stage tricks, trying to make it look more exciting. You should check out the video for Hello Again. He's used to play with his teeth. Funny, but I think it does distract from the actual music. I didn't realize how much Bob was missed in those years, until I saw him play for the first time in May 2003.

Well it's like his uncontrollable movements would indicate something was wrong, but it's not clear why he left music, might have been cause he can't sing?

I think it goes a long way towards explaining why he was such a sloppy player.

Well it's like his uncontrollable movements would indicate something was wrong, but it's not clear why he left music, might have been cause he can't sing?

Well my cousin has never had uncontrollable movements, it affected his form with bones and muscles. His legs are a little rubbery, but he can walk but he has to use a wheelchair a lot of the times. He also had to have several surgeries on his hands over the years.

If it is affecting a lot of Pete’s movements then it might have an affect on his voice control as well.

Funny, but I think it does distract from the actual music. I didn't realize how much Bob was missed in those years, until I saw him play for the first time in May 2003.

p-freak, you are right.

But, I remember that Petra played that song (One of my favorites) here in Puerto Rico in 2002. The lead guitars were handled by Quinton Gibson and he played the song by the book. And John Schlitt voice?... Perfect.

But, I am with p-freak... I missed Bob too...

Maybe it is Parkinson's disease, like Michael J. Fox. That causes uncontrollable movements.

I thought Pete was a thrill to watch onstage, like the energy, the attitude. Didn't think his voice was awful. I'm not going to smother my room with his posters, but I thought he bridged the gap between Bob fairly ably.

Jan wrote:Maybe it is Parkinson's disease, like Michael J. Fox. That causes uncontrollable movements.

So does MS and MD

Daniel wrote:Well it's like his uncontrollable movements would indicate something was wrong, but it's not clear why he left music, might have been cause he can't sing?

Uh...what? He's actually a pretty good vocalist. Watch the video of "Breathe In" from the same concert.

Yeah not my taste Jason.

SCJ-7 wrote:Yesterday I saw this video of Petra and... well, I will confess, It's the first time that I saw Pete Orta in a video with Petra and this was my first question:

What happened to Pete Orta in this video?...

This is the link for the video:

I will tell you what that was. That was Pete, cheezin' it up, playing all the wrong stuff. If he put as much effort into playing good guitar as he did looking "cool", maybe he would have lasted longer.

That was not Petra. Those years to me were John and Louie with a back-up band.

In my opinionm Pete Orta in Petra was a tragedy ! Legendary rock bands need to have very good guitarrists !!!