LEGENDARY RECORDING ARTIST JOHN SCHLITT REUNITES WITH ’70s ROCK BAND HEAD EAST
John Schlitt, legendary recording artist and Gospel Music Hall of Famer, best known as the lead singer for award-winning Christian band Petra during the era when the band won its four Grammy Awards and 10 Dove Awards, recently reunited with the popular ’70s mainstream rock band Head East. The special one-night-only performance during the Iowa Rock ‘n Roll Music Association’s 2011 Hall of Fame coincided with Schlitt’s induction into the state’s Hall of Fame and marked the first time in 30 years that the musicians were on stage together.
The induction took place over three days, with ceremonies, presentations, meet and greets and performances by the 2011 inductees. Schlitt and past and current members of Head East were the featured artists. The band members were presented with plaques honoring their talent, dedication, longevity and major impact on the Iowa music scene, where the band frequently played throughout the ’70s.
The weekend concluded with performances by the inductees, with Head East as the finale. Along with original keyboardist Roger Boyd and drummer Steve Huston, Schlitt took the stage with the band’s current lineup as the standing-room-only crowd exploded to the strains of the Schlitt-penned “Get Up and Enjoy Yourself.” The excitement continued as the band played its Billboard Hot 100 singles “Love Me Tonight,” “Since You’ve Been Gone,” and the band’s signature classic, “Never Been Any Reason.” Schlitt received a standing ovation, initiating an encore with “Jefftown Creek.”
“It was a real pleasure to meet the Head East of today, and to sing once again with the Head East of the past,” said Schlitt.
Schlitt was the lead singer for Head East from 1972-1980, during which time the band released six albums, with their first, Flat as a Pancake (A&M Records, 1975) reaching Platinum status empowered by “Never Been Any Reason,” which has now become a staple of classic rock radio. The hit is still one of the most frequently played classic rock anthems in many parts of the country.
Photo Caption: Past and current members of Head East recently performed at the Iowa Rock ‘n Roll Hall of Fame Induction Spectacular. Pictured (L to R): Steve Huston, original member; Darren Walker, current lead singer; John Schlitt, original member; and Greg Manahan, current bassist.
About John Schlittt:
During more than three decades in the music business, Schlitt has earned multiple Gold Records, Grammys and Dove Awards. As a solo artist, member of Petra and former lead singer for popular ’70s mainstream rock band Head East, Schlitt has toured all over the world. He was inducted into the Gospel Music Hall of Fame as the lead singer of Petra, one of the most successful Christian rock bands of all time. Schlitt was recently named the best rock singer in Christian music history by GospelMusicChannel.com, and according to the website, Schlitt “remains one of the most distinctive and impactful men to ever stand behind a microphone.” Schlitt was also named “Best Male Vocalist” in About.com’s 2011 Reader’s Choice Awards.Schlitt is currently in the studio recording his fourth solo album, The Greater Cause.
His most recent album, The Grafting, is available on 4K Records and is distributed by New Day Christian Distributors in the U.S. and internationally by Go Global Entertainment. For more information on Schlitt and The Grafting or The Greater Cause, visit www.johnwschlitt.com.
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