Biography
CLASSIC PETRA IS: Bob Hartman, Mark Kelly, John Lawry, Greg X Volz and Louie Weaver. Petra is widely regarded as the pioneering band of the Christian rock and contemporary Christian music genres. Formed in 1972, the band took its name from the Greek word for “rock”. Though formally disbanding in 2006, incarnations of Petra have played reunion shows in the years since, with the five members who spearheaded the band’s rise to prominence in the 1980’s reuniting to tour as Classic Petra. That band also released albums in 2010 and 2011.
In more than three decades, the band experienced numerous lineup changes yet released 20 studio albums, selling nearly 10 million copies while being nominated for 13 Grammy Awards, winning four, & winning 10 Dove Awards. The band’s biggest hit, “The Coloring Song”, reached the top position on three Christian radio charts simultaneously, and at its peak, the band’s tours rivaled Amy Grant’s in popularity among Christian audiences. Petra was the first rock band inducted into the Gospel Music Hall of Fame and the first Christian band whose memorabilia was included in the Hard Rock Cafe restaurant chain. The band announced its retirement in 2005, launching a farewell tour that was recorded for release on CD and DVD.