Greg X. Volz Biography...

Greg X. Volz (the 'X' is for Xavier) is best known as the lead vocalist for the legendary rock band Petra during their golden years (1977-1986). An incredible rock singer with a 4-octave range, Greg Volz was offered the role of lead vocalist for REO Speedwagon in the 70s, but decided instead to join Petra. He spent most of the following decade using his vocal talents to give Petra their signature, arena-rock sound, performing an average of 160 concerts per year. Petra deserves credit for demonstrating the viability of rock 'n' roll as a medium for Christian expression. They were among the first faith-based rock outfits to tour with extensive light shows and special effects. For many years, they were Christian music's best-selling band (over 6 million units sold); they were the only Christian act invited to play at the historic Farm Aid Festival; they were the subject of multiple 'greatest hits' compilations, as well as a tribute CD that featured Petra cover tunes by modern rock acts like Jars of Clay and Sixpence None the Richer; and they were the first Christian band to be enshrined in the Hard Rock Café. As a member of Petra, Greg X. Volz was inducted into the Gospel Music Hall of Fame in the year 2000.

Volz was born in 1950 and grew up in Metamora, Illinois. At the age of 13, he formed a rock band called The Wombats. Later, while a student at Illinois State University, Volz had a spiritual encounter that changed the direction of his life and music. "A man named Bud Earl told me about Jesus in Indianapolis, Indiana in the fall of 1970," recalls Greg. "As Bud entered the living room full of 12 longhaired hippies (who'd been looking for love in all the wrong places), he exclaimed, 'Well, Praise the Lord' as he hung up his hat and coat. He began telling us where we'd been and the things we'd done and followed with, 'You've been looking for the way; Jesus is the Way. You've been looking for the truth; Jesus is the Truth. You've been looking for life; Jesus is the Life. And no one comes to the Father, but through Him!' With that word, a cloud filled the room and we were all on the floor repenting for our sins and asking Jesus to come into our hearts and change our lives. And He did! Several days later, we were all baptized in a horse trough. The next week, in an old-time Pentecostal church meeting, we were all filled with the Holy Spirit. After our conversion, we asked Bud, 'What do we do now? We play rock and roll.' He said, 'Well, play Jesus rock.' And that's what we did."

Greg formed a band called Gideon's Bible, and later toured with a group known simply as the 'e' band, one of the very first hard rock Christian bands. Volz recalls, "The 'e' band would go wherever we were allowed to set up and play; in college quads, high schools, prisons, parks, anywhere and tell people about Jesus. It was so easy then." The 'e' band was similar in sound to groups like Cream or Glass Harp. Although a few unofficial concert recordings exist, the band never recorded an album. And about that name? "The 'e' stood for Emmanuel," Volz explains. "There were 5 members and it's the 5th letter in the alphabet and stands for Emmanuel, which means, God with us." Greg X. Volz remembers those days as difficult, but typical for a rock band during the days of the Jesus Movement of the early 70s: "'e' band was the forerunner of all Jesus Rock groups - not Christian rock but 'Jesus Rock.' Everything revolved around Jesus. The band all lived together in one seven-bedroom house. We held all things in common. We had one bank account." The group never recorded a full album and broke up in 1973. Greg X. Volz moved to Springfield, MO, where he worked with legendary guitarist Phil Keaggy, and also performed the lead role in Ezekiel, a rock stage musical. After lending his talents as a guest vocalist on Petra's Come and Join Us release in 1976, Volz was invited to join Petra full-time, and the rest is history.

Captured in Time and Space, a double-album-set recorded live in 1985 would be Greg's last release as front man for Petra. The main reason given was that constant touring was exacting too great a toll on his family life. Greg X. Volz then released a string of solo recordings (including the critically acclaimed 1986 classic The River Is Rising), and toured with Joe English (former drummer for Paul McCartney and Wings) in a band called Pieces of Eight.

Today, Greg continues to travel the nation, encouraging primarily Christian audiences with His music and ministry. I