John Schlitt

John Schlitt
John Schlitt in Cabo Rojo, Puerto Rico
Background information
Birth name	John William Schlitt
Born	February 3 1950 (1950--) (age 57)
Origin	Lincoln, Illinois, U.S.
Genre(s)	Rock Contemporary Christian
Occupation(s)	singer, real estate agent
Instrument(s)	vocals
Years active	1975-present
Associated acts	Petra Head East
Website	www.johnwschlitt.com

John William Schlitt (born February 3, 1950 in Lincoln, Illinois) is known for his career as the lead singer of Christian Rock band Petra from 1986 until the band's retirement in late 2005. Prior to joining Petra in 1986, Schlitt was the vocalist for secular hard-rock band Head East.

Biography

Head-East Era

During a six-year stretch with Head East, Schlitt went through a period of dependency on cocaine and alcohol. Leaving the band in March of 1980 after four studio and one live album, his addiction intensified in a six-month depression during which he "came very close to suicide."^{[citation needed]} In the spring of 1980, John fronted his own band "Johnny", playing small theaters for a few months before taking a hiatus from the music business. During that same six-month period, however, his wife became a born-again Christian, and subsequently convinced Schlitt to see her pastor. Soon thereafter, he left the music scene.

Petra Era

Five years after leaving the music industry, with the departure of then-lead singer Greg X. Volz (who had left to pursue a solo career), John was invited to audition for Petra. After a session with Petra co-founder and guitarist Bob Hartman, he was asked to join the band. He sang his first show on February 3, 1986, beginning a career that would span nearly two decades. His first album with the band was the 1986 release Back to the Street.

During his career with Petra, the band released 2 RIAA certified Gold albums^{[citation needed]} (Beyond Belief and Petra Praise: The Rock Cries Out) and earned 4 Grammy and numerous Dove Awards. His travels and performances with the group reached all 50 states of America as well as 18 countries.

Solo career

During breaks from Petra, Schlitt recorded and released two solo albums: Shake in 1995, and Unfit For Swine in 1996. Both albums were moderately successful and received positive reviews.^{[citation needed]}

Schlitt has claimed that he had material for a third album, but his commitment to Petra has prevented him from working them out.^{[citation needed]}

After Petra's retirement in 2005, Schlitt and Petra guitarist and founder, Bob Hartman started working on an album together as II Guys From Petra. The album was released in January 26, 2007 titled Vertical Expressions. Besides that, Schlitt started working on his third solo project, titled The Grafting, which is set to be released in January 2008. Live video of Schlitt and Hartman can be viewed at Schlitt's website.

Personal life

Schlitt graduated from the University of Illinois in 1973 with a degree in Civil Engineering.

Schlitt has been married to wife Dorla since 1971, and they have since had four children - Kari, John Kyle, Kris and Krey. They currently live in Franklin, Tennessee.

He is currently a real estate agent for Keller-Williams Realty in Brentwood, Tennessee.

Discography

Solo Discography

Shake 1995

Unfit For Swine July, 1996

Vertical Expressions January, 2007

Other Contributions

• Geoff Moore & The Distance - A Place To Stand (1988)
• Steve Camp - Justice (1988)
• Nathan DiGesare - Jubilate'! (1989)
• Artists And Friends - Carry The Light (1989)
• John Lawry - Media Alert (1990)
• Breakaway Praise 1 (1992)
• 4 Him - The Ride Comes Alive (1995)
• Mickey Masters: Agent Of Truth - The Evil Plot Of Madame Chang (1996)
• The Best Of Morgan Cryar - What Sin? (1998)
• Re:newal - The Art Of Community (2001)
• Silers Bald - Real Life (2003)
• Liberty n' Justice - Welcome To The Revolution (2004)
• Everlife (2004)
• Project Damage Control (2005)
• Rick Derringer - New album (2007)

See also

• Petra (band)
• Head East
• Project Damage Control

External links

• John W. Schlitt Official Site
• Petra Official Site
• Project Damage Control Site
• II Guys from Petra

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