Mylon LeFevre

[shawnpfan2010]

So just to stir the pot a little, does anyone out there think that, in his time, Mylon LeFevre was just as good a singer as John Schlitt? I have been listening to some old Mylon & Broken Heart stuff and I have to say, Mylon is a good rock singer, in my opinion, maybe just as good as John. What do you guys think??

[brent]

Uh...no. Not even close. Mylon is not the same style so it is hard to compare. But as far as delivery is concerned, John powers it out until he cannot sing anymore. Mylon talks his way through. Mylon does not have a rock vibrato. John does. Mylon has no range. John has range. Mylon's music was lame IMO. I think John can write a better song than Mylon. Mylon writes in the old southern gospel quartet way.

For those that don't know: He got his start in his mother's group as a kid, then played drums and bass for JD Sumner and the Stamps, did the CCM thing...did the drugs and all of that simultaneously...I

[shawnpfan2010]

Well I do agree that he dosen't have the range that John has, but listening to the album Crank it up, he does have that gritty rock voice that fits well with that album. When you talked about his gospel song writing, that would explain why most of the songs on all of the Broken Heart albums were all written by other people.

Admit it Brent, back in the day you listened to the old Mylon and Broken Heart albums and probably liked them, am I right?? LOL

[Jonathan]

Plus his name is Mylon. That's already a problem. Unless he was an accountant on the side.

[Dan]

What you talkin' bout Shawn? that's like comparing the voices of Bon Scott to Pavarotti. I can't see Brent listening to that Mylon guy.

[brent]

Ok. Here is my Mylon story.

Like I said, I liked him because of this ties with JD Sumner and one song he wrote.

I DID own two Mylon records. The first one was a concert album. I bought it because I heard they put on a good show. James Dobson and Dave Wilkerson were bashing Mylon for using fog machines, lights and loud PA. They said that when Mylon came out on stage they saw a demon from hell amidst the smoke. Then what really pizzed them off was that he had the audacity to ask the people, "Hey everybody! How are ya'all feelin' tonight?" They said that Mylon was only a tool of the devil because he was in the flesh, asking people about their feelings. WTH? Whatever! Morons! In one of Dave Wilkersons books, he crucifies Mylon. Funny stuff. The next album I bought was called Crack The Sky. I was working at the Christian radio station when it came out. We played two cuts and that was it. It was too AC for me.

Later, Mylon, who was known for a good stage show, was endorsed by Peavey. This is where I about choked. They were the first band to go out with a full Peavey HDH speaker system large enough for arenas, powered by DECA amplifiers. Anyone that knows anything about Peavey knows that these particular lines were some of the most gawd awful sound ever produced in the state of Mississippi. The amps failed often and the speakers had issues because of moisture causing cheap styro foam horn plugs to crumble. Then they were Peavey, so they did not sound good. They had a half way decent mixing console, Peavey's first large format board. I used it when the band I worked for opened for them in Texas. Clay Spivey, one of Mylon's tech guys went to work for Peavey after that. Someone else did too, but I can't recall his name.

Mylon had a studio built at his church in Atlanta. He outfitted the room with....you guessed it, Peavey gear. Peavey got into the recording gear business and made some ok large format consoles, amps and monitors. Some of the monitors became industry staples and won many shoot-outs, but they ran out of parts and had to quit selling them. The consoles were said to be engineered by a guy who worked for API (I have no idea if this is true). They released a great little two channel tube mic pre (VMP2) and compressor/limiter (VCL2). Both of those pieces are VERY much in demand today. Check out back issues of Peavey's Monitor magazine and you can see pics of Mylon's band doing ads, seminars and articles. They were really good players.

I got to go on Mylon's buss. It was cool. It was a transmission eater. Last time I was down at Kenneth Copeland's Eagle Mountain Church mixing I saw it parked out there. Mylon gave it to Ken. They did some ministry stuff together. Mylon talked about his drug addictions, suicidal issues and then his recent health problems. Not long after that Mylon was on Gaither homecoming a few times. He pastors a church still IIRC.

The other Mylon tie is that their buss driver is Tommy, the bass player for Viktor, who is Louie's pal and employer. Louie drives buses for Tommy.

That's more than you wanted to know.

[blayze5150]

I was saved at a Mylon concert in '88, so he holds a very special place in my heart. As a preacher in Christian rock, he is second to none.

Is he a better singer that John Schlitt....

Not on his best day! I'm sure he would tell you that!

[St_Augustines_Pears]

I bought a Mylon Lefevre & Broken Heart greatest hits collection once. The music was good, but Mylon's voice? Ehhh.

How he got to be so big in CCM is beyond me.

[Shell]

I love "Crack the Sky" and "Sheep in Wolves Clothing." I went to a number of Mylon and Broken Heart concerts back in the day and their shows were great, and Mylon has a great testimony.

[shawnpfan2010]

At least a few of you aren't attacking me to bad, I guess what I like about his voice is the fact that it is a gritty sound and it did seem to fit well with the style that they were playing at the time. As far as me saying he was as good as John, that was just to ruffle some feathers. We all know that John is the best, he just got an award for it.

But seriously though, I am having a hard time finding groups that have a GOOD lead singer, a lot of stuff I hear sounds good until I hear the lead singer and then I turn it off, are their any bands that sound good and actually have a good lead singer who's voice fits the style? HELP ME!!

[blayze5150]

At least a few of you aren't attacking me to bad, I guess what I like about his voice is the fact that it is a gritty sound and it did seem to fit well with the style that they were playing at the time. As far as me saying he was as good as John, that was just to ruffle some feathers. We all know that John is the best, he just got an award for it.

But seriously though, I am having a hard time finding groups that have a GOOD lead singer, a lot of stuff I hear sounds good until I hear the lead singer and then I turn it off, are their any bands that sound good and actually have a good lead singer who's voice fits the style? HELP ME!!

As far a good lead singers:
The Newsboys: Michael Tait and Peter Furler are both fantastic.
Stryper: Michael Sweet rocks!
Older Petra: Greg X. Volz is fantastic.
Degarmo & Key: really liked Dana's voice. Eddie wasn't bad, either.
Guardian: Jamie Rowe was quite good, especially on the older stuff.
Holy Soldier: All the Steven Patrick era stuff.
Ken Tamplin/Shout: One of the very best.

[furf]

I caught the Big World tour in Ontario,Canada. Brantford i think? It was in an arena, and MAN was it loud! I can still hear the guitars squealing! Unbelievable rock! Love the riff that opens Big World. And how about 'Denomination Demolition', now there's a good song!

[RockOn]

My concern with Mylon isn't with his singing or songwriting.
I really like Mylon and Broken Heart. I have most of their CDs.
It concerns me that he's involved with Word of Faith theology and has close ties to Kenneth Copeland.
It boggles my mind to see how people can get wrapped up in this heresy.

[Jonathan]

Jamie Rowe is the best in my opinion. I love the attitude and the rasp. Tamplin...sure. A bit hysterical for me, but the lad can belt it.

[Shell]

Ah, Michael Sweet...The guy definitely has a good set of pipes. And he's cute. (Okay, it's nice if they're cute, so shoot me). I like Jamie Rowe too.