Christian Music, like all music, has evolved over the years as musical tastes have changed, much to the consternation of Church leadership. If the "Orthodox" Church leadership had their way, we would all be forced to sing Southern Gospel (even though the great Classical Composers had God as inspiration in a lot of cases I think they would be to "Rocking" for them). Considering that Christianity itself began as an offshoot of Judaism one could plant the beginning of the "Christian Music Timeline" with King David, for when the Bible says that Jesus and his disciples "Sang a Hymn and then went out unto the Mount of Olives" that the Hymn in question was one of the Psalms (Most likely Psalm 118) and not "When The Roll is Called Up Yonder". Things pretty much went unchanged from the Times of David until that abomination called Southern Gospel began in 1910, and while "Worldly" music evolved basically with every decade especially from 1940 onward (1940: Big Band/Swing; 1950: Rockabilly; 1960: Rock and Roll; 1970's: Disco; 1980: Metal and Synthpop), the history of Christian Music basically flatlines from 1910 until 1969. Almost 60 years.
1969: Upon This Rock by Larry Norman is widely regarded as the first Christian Rock album ever, though by todays standards it may be somewhere between folk music and folk rock, but in the hippie era, there really wasn't much else. Sweet Song of Salvation is probably the hardest rocking song on the album but the most popular would have to be "I wish we'd all been ready" which was made popular by being sung in the End Times Prophecy Movie "A Thief in The Night" (1973).
Decade One - The 1970's - aka The Jesus Music Era
The first decade of the modern Christian Music era, unlike the month of March, came in like a lamb and went out like a lion. While it is true that the era ushered in music heretofore unknown in proper Christian circles and elicited a swift condemnation buy evangelists whose musical leanings would be best described as Honky-Tonk, but on the whole the beginning of the decade consisted mainly of folk artists (the ubiquitous Girl or Guy with Guitar, mostly acoustic) and by 1978 folk had given way to pop and Adult Contemporary, Rock had gotten a strong foothold and a group with the harmless name of the Resurrection Band introduced the Saints to Heavy Metal. In short it was the Decade when the Legends were Born.
- 1970: A bit of a cheat here, because while Upon This Rock has consistently been given a date of 1969 because that is when Larry Norman went into the studio, it really didn't hit the shelves of any music store until 1970
- 1971: While Upon This Rock Was becoming a Christian Classic, Larry had a bit of free time to scout out the emerging talent in the New Jesus Music Era. One of the first of many connections Larry Norman would forge in the music industry was with a teenage boy by the name of Randall Evan Stonehill aka Randy Stonehill. Born Twice (1971) consisted of a Live A Side and a Studio B-Side and cost $800 to make, and according to Randy "Sounds Like Every Penny of It".
- 1972: Larry Norman releases his sophomore album Only Visiting This Planet, sibling pop/rock trio The 2nd Chapter of Acts is formed, as well as Rock legends Petra and soon to be Metal legends Resurrection Band.
- 1973: Nancy Honeytree releases her debut album, as does Philip Tyler Keaggy (known simply as Phil Keaggy). Larry Norman releases So Long Ago, The Garden.
- 1974: Petra releases their self titled debut. The 2nd Chapter of Acts debut album With Footnotes drops, which contains the hit "Easter Song". The Band Daniel Amos is formed in Southern California.
- 1975: Jerusalem, a heavy metal band, is formed in Gothenburg, Sweden. An English version of their music would not be available, however, until 1980.
- 1976: 15 year old Amy Grant, the "Queen of Christian Pop" is signed to Word Records. Larry Norman completes his Trilogy with the release of In Another Land. Randy Stonehill releases his first full length album Welcome to Paradise. Phil Keaggy releases his sophomore album
Love Broke Thru. The titular track (entitled Your Love Broke Through) is a collaboration between Keith Green, Todd Fishkind and Randy Stonehill. Green insisted that Keaggy be given the first opportunity to record it. The first song on side two of the album is the progressive rock classic Time, which clocks in at just short of seven minutes. The two songs are possibly the two most loved Keaggy songs. Daniel Amos released their eponymous debut. It is pretty much a country album. - 1977: Amy Grant releases her self titled debut and "Uncle Randy" Stonehill goes to the studio to record The Sky Is Falling, which, due to a falling out between Stonehill and Larry Norman (due to Norman having an affair with Stonehill's wife) will delay the release until 1980. The Sweet Comfort Band, a Southern California Jazz Fusion, Funk and Rock band releases its Self Titled Debut. Petra's sophomore release Come And Join Us. Designed as an evangelistic tool the album is straight up 70"s Rock and Roll with a touch of funk. Daniel Amos releases Shotgun Angel, moving from Country to Southern Rock, and Fireworks releases their self titled debut. In the late 1970's and early 1980's Servant, Petra and Fireworks would be the Big 3. Only the order kept shuffling.
- 1978: Time to Crank things up as the Heavy Metal Era begins. In Sweden Jerusalem releases their self titled debut, in Swedish. An English version of the album will be released two years later with the title Volume 1. Meanwhile, back in the States, the windy city gets a rude awakening as Jesus People USA band Resurrection band unleash Awaiting Your Reply. Unlike Randy Stonehill's low budget debut, due to a gift from a friend, they are able to spend ten times that on their album. Daniel Amos records Horrendous Disc as it transitions from Southern Rock to Alternative/New Wave. Unfortunately during recording they are dropped by their label Maranatha! Music as the label decides to concentrate on worship music. They are finally picked up by Larry Norman's Solid Rock Records but the delays push the release of the album to 1981, one week before the release of their Fourth Album Alarma! DeGarmo and Key, two Childhood friends who grew up in the shadow of Graceland, release their debut album This Time Thru. Finally Sweet Comfort Band continues their confusion with an alcoholic beverage (Southern Comfort) with their second release Breakin The Ice
- 1979: Fireworks decides to Shatter The Darkness, and possibly a few eardrums as they move from Pop to Rock in their second album. Servant, the Second of the Jesus Music bands to be formed from Christian Communes, debuts with Shallow Water, and the first, Resurrection
Band, releases Rainbow's End, and though the album was successful, Star Song Records remained skittish about continuing to venture into Heavy Metal and dropped the band. Amy Grant releases My Father's Eyes. She becomes the first Christian Solo artist to go Gold, the song is a number one hit, and the Christian Music World is changed forever. In a somewhat prophetic move Sweet Comfort Band's third release in three years is entitled Hold On Tight.
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