Greg X. Volz

Greg X. Volz
Background information
Birth name	Gregory Xavier Volz
Born	January 12, 1950 (1950-01-12) (age 59)
Origin	Peoria, Illinois, U.S.
Genre(s)	Rock Contemporary Christian
Occupation(s)	singer
Instrument(s)	vocals
Years active	1970-present
Associated acts	Petra e Band
Website	*Official Page

Gregory Xavier Volz (born January 12, 1950 in Peoria, Illinois) is a Christian singer. He is most remembered for being the lead singer of Christian rock band Petra from 1979 to 1985.

Biography

Volz showed great skills in singing from a very early age. Being a self-taught musician, when he was 13 years old, he started his own band called The Wombats. As he grew up, he went on to share the stage with the likes of Janis Joplin, Chicago and others. He formed a band called Gideon's Bible in Indianapolis. In 1970 he became a born-again Christian. Gideon's Bible name was changed to e Band, which was a part of the Jesus Movement. e's only studio recordings can be found on the rock musical 2LP-album Because I Am released in 1973. After e broke up in 1975 Volz moved to Springfield, Missouri, where he worked with legendary guitarist Phil Keaggy. He also performed the lead role in a rock stage musical called Ezekiel.

In 1976, Volz received two of the most important calls of his life. First, he was offered the lead singer position of REO Speedwagon. Volz, being a recently converted Christian, declined. Six weeks later, he got the call to participate in Petra's second album, Come and Join Us. Although at that time he participated as a guest singer in just three songs, founder/guitarist Bob Hartman (who, at that time, was sharing the lead-singing duties with co-founder/guitarist Greg Hough) offered Volz the full-time position.

His first full-time album with the band, Washes Whiter Than, came in 1979 and therein came one of the most prolific periods of the legendary band. Volz remained the lead singer until 1985 when he left to pursue a solo career. Volz released his first solo effort, titled The River is Rising in 1986 under Myrrh Records. He followed it with three other moderately successful albums. During this time, he also toured with Joe English in a band called Pieces of Eight. Volz' tours drew in the 1,000 to 1,500 range during this time - a very respectable number for a Contemporary Christian artist, but nowhere near the level he experienced at the end of his tenure with Petra.

In the mid-90's, Volz decided to retire for some time. Apparently, during this time he was dealing with the divorce from his long-time wife, Becky. He resurfaced in 1998 with a string of new albums released from that year on.

In October 4, 2005 he re-joined Petra for the live recording of their last DVD, Petra Farewell. He joined the stage with current singer John Schlitt for a medley of ballads (video clip), and he followed it with a solo rendition of "Grave Robber", which was one of his hits with the band.

During his career, Mr. Volz has also lent his voice to projects by many other artists, e.g., to 3kStatic's song Counterprogramming, released in 2008^[1].

Greg has currently been spending time in Nashville with fellow former Petra keyboardist John Lawry in preparation for a brand new rock release scheduled for February 2009, featuring some of Nashville's finest studio musicians as well as former members of Sonic Flood.

In early February of 2009, Greg released his brand new studio release "God Only Knows" and established a page on Facebook, a social online community.

Trivia

• Volz married Becky Britton on December 2, 1973, but ended up divorcing in the late 1990's.
• Volz was then married to Barbara Volz, and they had several ministries together before divorcing sometime between 2007 and 2008.
• Volz also plays the drums.
• Volz has a 4-octave vocal range.

Discography

• Because I Am 2LP (1973) (Rock Musical featuring a few tunes by e)
• Cry 3 An Odyssey of the Spirit (1975) (features Volz on two/three songs)
• Xavier (1982) (Limited private pressing of 1,000 LPs)
• The River Is Rising (1986)
• Come Out Fighting (1988)
• No Room In The Middle (1989)
• The Exodus (1991)
• Greg X. Volz Collection (1992)
• Break Out! Praise (1998)
• Let The Victors In! (1998)
• Ready Or Not... Here He Comes! (1999)
• The Next Sphere (2001)
• No Greater Love (2005)
• In God's Presence (2005)
• O' Holy Night (Special Edition) (2007)
• Dream On / What Then (Digital 2-track single) (2008)
• In The Course Of Time / Standin' (Digital 2-track single) (2008)
• In The Course Of Time (Digital 12-track Best-Of) (2008)
• God Only Knows (Digital 1-track single) (2008)
• God Only Knows (11-track album) (2009)
• God Only Knows Exclusive Advance Digital Release Bonus Tracks (2009)

See also

• Petra
• Jesus Movement

References

1. ^ 3KSTATIC: Counterprogramming feat. Greg X Volz

Dr Randy Speed Riverofglory.org

External links

• Official Page
• Discography at Petraspective
• 2003 Interview with Volz
• Greg Volz page in Guide To Petra
• Petra Merchandise official site
• The Petra Zone
• PetraBand.ca (Canada)