John began singing when he was just five years old, performing the leads in recitals and plays in his school. He finished college with a degree in civil engineering and promptly set about making a name for himself in the world of rock ‘n roll. His unique, fiery tenor and unbridled passion for singing landed him a gig fronting the secular rock outfit Head East.John’s eight-year stint with Head East put him on the map in terms of his career – the band was celebrated for its raw energy and swagger.John’s career seemed set but it all came to a distressing end in 1980 when he was let go by the band. The reason: John had an out-of-control drug and alcohol addiction.

His departure from Head East should have served as a wake-up call but John immediately decided to start another band in an attempt to feed his drug and alcohol addiction. His lack of musical focus and hunger for a constant “fix” led to the band’s quick demise. John, who seemed poised for a long and fruitful career in music, was suddenly an abject failure. He became another casualty of rock ‘n roll decadence, rejected by his peers and left to his own drug-influenced devices.

Little did he realize that God was already hard at work in changing his life. As John battled his inner demons, God began working on his wife Dorla, who met the Lord as John continued his descent into dispair. John’s initial reaction was one of distaste.John fought the Holy Spirit’s beckoning every step of the way. In his mind, suicide was the only way out of the downward spiral that had so engulfed his life. A quick and easy overdose of pills was the method of choice.

But Dorla’s persistent prayer and love led to John’s spiritual awakening. But let’s let him describe that moment:

“I am a blessed man. I have been saved by a God of second chances. He saved me from suicide and gave me a second chance at life. He protected my family and gave me a second chance at being a husband and father. And, finally, he gave me a second chance in music. He took me from a secular system that was destroying me through drug and alcohol abuse and put me in a Christian band that gave me the opportunity to see God work all over the world.”

In 1986 he begun another musical career who last for 20 years with one of the most appreciated Christian band, Petra. During 20 years of him being the lead singer of the band, Petra recorded 16 albums, released 2 RIAA Certified Gold Albums(Beyond Belief şi Petra Praise: The Rock Cries Out) and won 4 GRAMMY and lots of DOVE’S awards. In the same time John Schlitt also worked on many solo projects the most important ones being his solo albums Skake (1995), Unfit For Swine (1996) and the most recent one , The Grafting(2008)
Along with his musical success recognized by christian and unchristian environments, John Schlitt and Petra have been active involved in bringing a message of hope to the young generation who, like John need to hear about the second chance that God is willing to offer. John also sustained a couple of charity organizations that work with the childrens from Africa. His music and his personal testimony reached the life of many young people all over the world.

To know John better, please visit the MEDIA section

Awards

As lead-singer of Petra

• Inducted into the Gospel Music Hall of Fame in 2000
• Petra Praise I & II sales number over 1 million
• Only artist to simultaneously have 4 albums in the Top 100 of SoundScan top Christian albums: No Doubt, Beyond Belief, Petra Praise, Wake-Up Call
• First rock group to win the GMA Dove Award for "Group of the Year"
• First group to win 10 consecutive CCM Magazine Reader’s Choice Awards
• Top-selling non-European Christian artist in Europe
• 1994 - Inducted into the Hard Rock Cafe (The first Christian group to ever be inducted)

RIAA Certified Gold Albums:

• Petra: Beyond Belief
• Petra: Petra Praise: The Rock Cries Out
• Head East: Flat As A Pancake

Grammy Awards:

• 2000 - Best Rock Gospel Album  - Double Take
• 1994 - Best Rock Gospel Album - Wake-Up Call
• 1992 - Best Rock/Contemporary Gospel Album  - Unseen Power
• 1990 - Best Rock/Contemporary Gospel Album  - Beyond Belief

Dove Awards:

• 1998 - Praise & Worship Album - Petra Praise 2
• 1996 - Rock Album - No Doubt
• 1994 - Rock Album - Wake-Up Call
• 1993 - Rock Recorded Song - "Destiny"
• 1991 - Recorded Music Packaging - Beyond Belief
• 1991 - Rock Recorded Song - "Beyond Belief"
• 1991 - Rock Album - Beyond Belief
• 1991 - Group of the Year
• 1990 - Long Form Music Video - "On Fire"
• 1990 - Recorded Music Packaging - Petra Praise