What if Greg hadn't left

[Shell]

Greg and John on the same CD? With Greg harmonizing? That would rock. I would buy it.

[adrinux]

OHH, I've thought about it... I could never imagine John singing NOT OF THIS WORLD. And at the same time I could never imagine Greg singing JAH. The matter is that Petra changed their style of rocking according to their singer. But if both John and Greg are gonna sing on the same CD,
it'd be very nice!!!

[Preacherman777]

I have to differ with the few who said that Greg was never well suited to Petra. He was very well suited to Petra's earlier work and to tell you the truth, I've heard John sing some of Gregs old stuff and I'm sorry, but he don't stack up to the way Greg did it. Greg had a very full and rich voice that added a character to the music that was perfect for classic rock. Much in the same way that singers like Dennis Deyoung or Freddie Mercury were perfect for the classic rock they made, so was Greg.

I know there are some really big John fans here, who just can't place anyone above him or even equal to him, but it's a fools game trying to compare the two. God made the two of them with two different kinds of singing talent, each of which was perfect for what God called them to do.

I would love to see John and Greg on the same album, but I would never restrict Greg to harmony. Even if he can't sing as high as he used to, he still has a vocal quality that should not be restricted to just the background.

[Shell]

Greg kills on harmony though...And you're right, it is sort of unfair to compare when they have different voices.

[LexingtonPethead]

When I first became a Petra fan fan back in 1984 (after which I later became a Pethead , ), I was listening only to More Power To Ya and Not of This World. At first, I thought Greg's voice was a little unusual but soon got used to it. Sort of like how I got used to hearing Dennis DeYoung (thanks Preacherman for reminding me of him) and a few others who had disctinctive , unique voices. Rock of that era (classic rock today) was full of singers like that, and Greg had the best voice of all of them.

To this day, I would rate Greg ahead of John in terms of sheer ability to sing. I may get flamed for putting that way, but few singers were Greg's league. Just listen to Greg's vocals on All Over Me, Praise Ye The Lord, Taste and See, and others - regardless of one's preference for the song, Greg's vocals are amazing.

Having said that, I think John is the more versatile singer. It's been said that John is pure rock and roll, and he is, but he's also very adaptable, and was better suited for the style of rock Petra pursued post-CITAS.

I remember the first time I heard John, I thought, man, this guy rocks! Petra's sound was more mainstream with BTTS, and it all really clicked for me in a way it had not before. Petra was proof that the stigma often associated with Christian rock was false. Especially with This Means War, On Fire and Beyond Belief.

Which brings me to another question... the Elefante's came in at roughly the same time John did. So who is more responsible for Petra's ultimate success right on up to Beyond Belief? John or the Elefante's?

[ctwomn]

You might get flamed;)! Here goes...ok.....I will be nice:) I am a vocalist myself and do notice vocals first thing....and I feel that John and Greg are equally as talented for the style of rock they do! I think that to be good at what you do you must be versitile and have the ability to change and I don't think Greg really prooved that he could do that. I do not know if it was that Greg did not want to take chances or that Bob did not give him the opportunity... but he nevere did. I strongly feel that Petra had better success in the late 80's because John is willing to take a risk. I will say that I have heard JS belt out songs like "praise ye the Lord"....cause I have heard them live. And I was thinking why not rerecord these w/ John cause they were awesome.)

Now...JS may be at a slight disadvantage because of the fact that when he joined w/ Petra he had been out of the (secular) music industry for quite sometime and was unpolished (back to the street). I have recently been listening to Head east and I think that it is some of the best rock I have heard. You might listen to a copy of the latest cd that was rereleased and see if you feel the same way. This all just my opinion.

I do remember hearing Petra as a kid in the early 80's and thinking...hmm...not really rock to me except for the guitars.,..Don't flame me for that one too:). That was most probably because of christian radio...or just being a kid...Don't know. So all of this is to say that they both are great...I am more partial to harder rock and so therefore I like John better. Either way Petra is the best!

[Shell]

I like to sing too, and someone's voice is the first thing I notice too. You're right, their voices are right for the style of music they do. To my ear, Greg's voice sounds more trained.

[executioner]

IMO Greg's voice just doesn't fit the rock theme, it seems very out of place. Don't get me wrong he can sing, but rock(that includes classic) just really is NOT for him. Look and listen to his solo stuff and see what it is; It is pop. I remember in the early 80's trying to get some secular friends to listen and like Petra, and they were turned off by the vocals, but they liked the music.

[ctwomn]

I could see him being clasically trained. He probably is. Some of the best rock singers are not trained though. Rock is one of those things that really sounds better if you don't focus too much on each little note. It is important to be on pitch...I will give you that! There are times that I have heard Petra (JS) and they weren't exactly on. That is due to a lack of warming up properly (maybe a little prior training would be helpful for that). Even the best singer in the world will go flat if they do not take the time to do that! Greg really has nice control and vibrato...but in my opinion that isn't rock! SAWWY

Ps...I do love Greg! "Adoni" is my fav early Petra song!!!

[Shell]

Singers who put the time and effort into training are usually in musical theater. But I do know what you mean.

[Preacherman777]

I will say that I have heard JS belt out songs like "praise ye the Lord"....cause I have heard them live. And I was thinking why not rerecord these w/ John cause they were awesome.)

It wouldn't be the same. I've heard John do those songs live as well. He does ok, but it doesn't stack up to Gregs versions.

[LexingtonPethead]

IMO Greg's voice just doesn't fit the rock theme, it seems very out of place. Don't get me wrong he can sing, but rock(that includes classic) just really is NOT for him. Look and listen to his solo stuff and see what it is; It is pop. I remember in the early 80's trying to get some secular friends to listen and like Petra, and they were turned off by the vocals, but they liked the music.

I know what you mean. Like I said earlier, when I first started listening to Petra, I had to get used to Greg's voice, like it sort of had to grow on me. But I eventually liked it and Petra as a whole (including Greg's voice) became one of my favorite bands at that time I started listening to Petra.

Having gotten used to Greg's voice, though... it would be hard to imagine anyone else singing the GXV era music. It wouldn't sound right to me.

[bleedinghero]

there is no one like greg x volz.

there is no one like john schlitt.

petra has been blessed with two incredible singers for two amazing eras. when i first heard "not of this world" (back in '94, if you can believe it) i was just dumbstruck. the acoustic guitars, atmospheric keyboardwork, minor chords and intense lyrics, capped with greg's esoteric crooning are simply unforgettable. as for other greg-era petra songs, who can forget the haunting power of "judas kiss"? or the passionate and mysterious "road to zion"? on "angel of light", one of my favorites, just before bob's solo, greg sings part of the chorus like he's an unknown entity, a poltergeist maybe, seeping through the microphone, dying to be heard on the record (okay, so i'm getting carried away and maybe greg's voice sounded cool because of some record studio reverb technique)... the point is, greg is enigmatic and the images and feelings he conjures when he sings, to me anyway, are indelible in their magnetism.

and john schlitt? the first song i heard john sing was "prayer". it changed my life. i can't tell you how many goosebumps i have had listening to that song. his singing is honest, clear, and downright powerful. i went on to buy "beyond belief" and the rest is history. when "armed and dangerous" came screaming through my stereo for the first time i couldnt believe it was the same singer wailing along with the frentetic guitars. john schlitt's range is awesome, his screeching captivating... his voice is just so alive.

i love both singers. but as many of you have mentioned, different guys for different times. both remarkably talented sindividuals who managed to change lives and the course of CCM history by being true to their call to sing.

dan
Petra 1