Petra-Adonai live 1986(with John)

[Exortation777]

I was in High School when I saw them perform this song during the Beat the System Tour in the early 80s. I was blown away. No one realizes that we didn't have music like this growing up. I so appreciate what these guys have done for the gospel. Thanks Petra!!!

[AlamoBuck]

This is one of the greatest songs of all time, and whether Greg or John is singing it doesn't matter; they both sound great!

[perryness]

John's voice is AMAZING! I luv Petra! :)

[RobinHobbit]

I was two years old during this concert. haha. Grew up listening to these awesome guys. I think this song sounds AWESOME with John!

[adminallen]

John was awesome on back to the streets album but they should not have tried to do Greg's songs with John. They should have just stated over with new music. John just don't do Greg songs very well.

[ApostlesoYahwehUnite]

Petra is great! I love Jesus.

[payaso789]

wow this video is amazing john does have the best voice!

[ThePrayerwarrior777]

lol I like when john is like right next to Bob heartman in the begining of the song btw love this song God bless

[fletchmi12]

I first saw Petra at Creation 86' in rural Pennsylvania, all my friends had seen them before and were surprised when John Schlitt took the stage, they did not know about Greg's exit. it was pretty cool for me, I had just become a Christian, but, had met and talked to John at a Head East concert in 1980. I thought the irony was pretty God-Like...

[TimfromMKE]

I remember heaing this song live on the Beat the System tour. Thats the first time I ever remember being in complete awe about God's love and power.

[heartcall]

If I remember correctly, John's first concert with Petra was in Rapid City, SD... which was an event I attended. I don't remember this set up... but, then again... I could be wrong.

None the less... an amazing video of an AMAZING time in Christian Music... THANK YOU for posting this!!!!!

[murissocaster]

I was thinking if john could reach the same notes tha greg...

and he did!!

that's impressive...

=]

[robinater]

Wow John hit the hi notes very well. Didnt think he could.

[benhli36]

Yes, jonke, this was one of the first of many concerts John had with Petra. I miss my fav Christian band. They did exactly what God purposed for them to do. He's not done with any of the guys from Petra either!

[whatchamacallitful]

@ jonke38

johns first show was much earlier than 1986. he went on tour with kansas in 82' i believe?

[BactaBeast]

@whatchamacallitful Are you talking about John Elefante? He sang lead for Kansas for awhile than he and his brother produced Petra.

[whatchamacallitful]

@BactaBeast Yes, I was talking about John Elefante. I realize now that guy was talking about John Schlitt. Didn't Elephante write anything or sing for Petra at a point in time?

[BactaBeast]

@whatchamacallitful Schlitt (as lead Vocalist) and Elefante (as co-producer with his Brother Dino) both started their career with Petra on "Back to the Streets". John Elefante & Dino co-wrote a little with Bob Hartman, but Bob was the primary writer. John Elefante sang backups in the studio but he was never the lead vocalists of Petra. He did share vocals with Schlitt and Lou Gramm (of Foreigner) on "We Need Jesus".

[whatchamacallitful]

@BactaBeast Back to the street was incredible. too bad he didnt sing more for petra, hes got that powerful high tenor voice like schlitt. I knew he sang on we need jesus. thats a great song. Thanks for the info

[BactaBeast]

@BactaBeast Actually, John Elefante's career started before that when he joined Kansas on the "Vinyl Confessions" album. He then had a song on the St. Elmo's Fire soundtrack called "Young and Innocent". His brother Dino was working with Randy Thomas (the guy who wrote "Butterfly Kisses with Bob Carlisle) on the last Sweet Comfort Band album and told Randy that he would start a band called "Allies". Of course he did, and after that John and Dino started working with Petra.

[drmjr]

I think the intro riff to this song resembles Juice Newton's version of Tell Her No.

[VoltaWolf]

The bassist goes to my church (:

He's super awesome, and our pastor's little brother ;D

[michael08huff]

Ronnie Cates or Mark Kelly? I've seen them both with Petra in concert. On the same tour, no less. I always wondered whatever happened to Mark.

[eyeofwally]

Greg left the band after the spring of 1985. During the late summer and fall of 1985 John came in and finished out the Beat the System tour. Greg left because he did not want to be on the road doing 200+ dates a year as Petra was doing then.

I am not sure where this video was shot but the stage looks very different from what they toured with on Beat the System and Back to the Street at least in the USA.

[ElHijoDelViejon]

I saw these guys live when I was a kid. It was right around this time, I think. (Back to The Street had just come out) and I remember being totally blown away!

I never imagined Christian music could kick so much ass!!

I've been a fan ever since...

[thesunriseband81]

While i was DJ ing on College Radio i used to play John on the air in a rock band called Head East, and a song Oh Elijah, and when i got saved i got turned to Petra w him in it. So it was as if God knew ...it helped me early on.

[inbetweentics]

@thesunriseband81

back in the '70s i wanted desperately to sneak out just to see and hear head east live because i love this guy's voice and love head east. then as fate? would have it, i later was REintroduced to PETRA in the late '80s and had it not been for the ministry of petra and john schlitt with them, i honestly don't know how i would have been reached. they have done so much for me. thank you god!

[Durwood71]

The reason for Greg's departure have never been made public. I've heard rumors, but since they're just rumors I won't repeat them here.

[coemanuel00]

Muy buenisimo AMIGO PETRA ES LO MAS GRAND QUE HAY EN LA HISTORIA

[jrusso7660]

uniqimage,

Uhhh, where have you been since 1985? Greg left after the "Beat the System" tour.

[d4kc9]

listen to this guys voice around 4:13 the tone & pitch is amazing... don't think I have heard better... what a range!

[jrusso7660]

Sorry, but Greg X Volz has such a better voice for Rock. John was too Pop.

[Wyrehedd242]

it was the 80s buddy... personally i loved every minute of it! =) sure miss the good days ya know?

[dzjeezus]

Clearly struggling?! Not very clearly, dude. Mostly, it's almost studio perfect. It sounds like he can't hear the exact pitch to start off in at the very beginning, but after that... And never judge a singer by a live recording. There are many things on stage that can make things difficult for rock singers. Monitoring, enormously loud band behind them, echoes bouncing off walls and creating disharmonies. Bands can't cancel gigs because the singer has a cold or whatever, either.

[MedleyGuitar]

John is Amazing ! =]

[clevandwits]

John is clearly struggling thoughout the song. Obviously most of the people here who are christian will say that both are amazing singers and yadda, yadda, yadda. The blatant truth is that Greg is one of the best singers I've ever heard in my entire life! He reminds me of the late Brad Delp. Greg has such a beautiful voice and he sings effortlessly with ease, whereas John sings out of tune sometimes and his voice is kindda annoying. Don't get me wrong here guys, I'm just being fair. . .

[mikosoft]

Greg and John both are great singers. Greg has a range of four octaves, more than John but in this particular song John managed to hit the really high notes similar to Greg's. Not quite there but pretty close. Yes, he also was out of tune in the beginning but then caught up and sung in pitch throughout the song. Background vocals were mostly out of tune tho. John's voice was better for the later hard rock music he sang while Greg's was good for the classic rock back in 70's and 80's.

[martinsregis]

For me, this is the most beautiful song from Petra. I love it since I heard it at first time, twenty years ago, when my mother gave me this LP album. I'd rather Greg's voice, but John is a good solo's vocalist too.

[yoshiofdeath]

In a 1986 (or so) interview on GMN (Gospel Music Network), John admitted he didn't want to sound like Greg in the first place. They're BOTH incredible and distinct.

[fast07st]

Agreed both are very good... Greg's voice is totaly than John's. ..also you can really see the difference in John's voice over the years.

Which just got better even in the last Petra album!

[alfredotingle]

Adonai, master of the earth and sky, you alone are worthy Adonai.. Adonai elohim.

[dkapinga]

Wow this song was taped like less than a month after John joined Petra... He sounds awesome.. What a range...!!

[msluque]

Menuda pedazo de canción y de vocalista!. Este es el auténtico rock cristiano.Ya le hubiera gustado a muchos cantantes seculares de la época tener el talento para hacer canciones como ésta!.Y encima alaban al Señor! En los 80´s poder escuchar este disco en España fue un gustazo! Me sigue encantando Petra.

[electricguitarplayr]

this is such an awsome song of praise Praise God! Hallelujah!

[Espeelover]

John did a pretty good job singing this song, Greg song though so I think Greg sounds better on this song.

[Happydey]

John sounds good in this song, but I love the one with Greg, two wonderful voices. Peace everybody!

[ech969]

I can't help but notice that trying to reproduce Greg X. Volz's vocals, even for a guy like John Schlitt, is incredibly difficult. Wonderful song, two very good singers with two very different styles. So it's no wonder that John seems to struggle at spots. If I tried to replicate the rasping high tenor scream of John that's characterized his Petra career with my punching low tenor (read: loud volume), you'd wonder why I was trying to sing the same songs. But the message is what's important.

[JoseBerry]

WOW i NEVER SEEN THIS ONE!!!

[ajcfreak]

Rockin', again.............. Wow. :) I really love the way John's trying to fit in here.... Speaks volumes. He's not Volz, he simply can't be Volz, but he's doing such a great job. I've had enough of Schlitt-bashing...

I love Greg too. But my personal preference would lean towards John. I mean, I honestly don't care who's a better singer and who's not. I like John's voice better.

[stratman1967]

Great video bro!This brings back memories.John sounds better than Greg on this song.I am not knocking Greg though,he was an awesome singer also!

[adminallen]

John cant hold a candle to GREG

[preacherman777]

Ditto. John actually sounds pretty rough on this, but such was the nature of his first year or so with Petra. He got better as time went on and as they started doing songs tailored for him.

[luckystar007]

Yes he can, if Greg tried to sing like John does he'd tear a vocal chord! Can't people just accept that they are both amazing? Greg has an incredible belter-tenor voice , and somebody try and find me a rock vocalist with the range and emotion of John. Petra was an awesome band and they were so lucky to have both men fronting the band.

[halo7982]

Greg has a 4 octave range voice.. Mariah Carey has a 5 octave range voice. Greg can get up there.. But yes you are right.. they both amazing singers.. Have you heard John when he was in the band "Head East"? look up "Since you been gone" by "Head East" on itunes.. that was before he was a Christian... he actually says the word "damn" hahahaha

[jimmyboy131]

You're right. Both of those guys were just fantastic. And no I didn't hear John struggling here. In fact, for a moment I'd forgotten that this was a Greg song originally, and not John song. Another voice like John's? Maybe Steve Perry. Another great voice with the range and emotion (aside from Perry)? Maybe Geoff Tate.

[nievedeverano]

And john what range of voice have?

[benhli36]

@luckystar007 - Amen, lucky! I like both of them as singers/vocalists. If we were to compare them as singers, we might as well compare Moses and Elijah as both prophets of God. Besides, isn't there some verse that points out that making comparisons with each other isn't a good thing? It's not my opinion here. I'm sure God loves each and everyone of us for our individuality, not what makes us the same

[missmarleneoh]

adonai master of the earth and sky great lyrics

[mistico1629]

Wow!! Excelent Video!! God Bless you brother!!!

[jonke38]

Thanks a lot! God bless you to! but how you knew I was a "brother"?=O =P

[mistico1629]

Easy Bro, like Petra to you!! JAJAJA

[bassistguy]

Wow. That is the highest I have EVER heard John sing (towards the end of the song)! That hurt MY vocal cords!

Bob, Mark and Louie all look the same as they did during the Beat The System tour... John looks so out of place here. BUT, he pulled it off very well... sounded awesome. Thanks for putting this video up.

[missmarleneoh]

he was in a different band before gettin saved

[haddicted]

Nice Song :-) Thanks u PETRA for composing this song:-) Does any one know the Guitar Chords of this song?

[jonke38]

try christianguitarDOTcom or search on GoogleDOTcom!:D

[haddicted]

I tryed but i didnt :-P

[missmarleneoh]

thanks for posting this petra is one of my favorite bands and this is one of their best songs God bless you brother

[TheFunnyGuv]

God is very present in this song, the first time I heard it I was really down and out, then all the darkness flew away from my life! Oh... Adonai you are an endless mystery!!!

[mistyzzz]

3. My teenage nephew has been developing his own music takes, and I'm so glad Petra is at the top of his Best Lists. He knows eventually he'll inherit all of my Petra stuff. I'm sure Petra's music will live on for a long time even though they're not touring anymore.

[mistyzzz]

2. It seemed like such a smooth transition between Greg and John, I think a lot of people didn't even realise at that time that Greg had left. But I'm sure nobody was at all disapointed, I know I wasn't.

[mistyzzz]

1. Boy does this ever brings back the memories. John had just joined when I had the chance to not only see them play but to also meet all of them but one in Melbourne Oz (they said had gone tram hopping and managed to get lost but they'd have him back in time for the performance). They were at a Christian bookshop in the centre of Melbourne (Oz).