"Get outta my face! I'm too cool for Jesus!" - John Schlitt

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• published: 08 Jul 2014
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"Get outta my face! I'm too cool for Jesus!" - John Schlitt 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. Described by one newspaper as a "brash...cocky, (and) hard-fisted rock band" the five-piece enjoyed a loyal following and a string of hits throughout the '70s that helped solidify their fanbase. 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. "Get outta my face! I don't need this Jesus stuff; I'm too cool for Jesus. I'll tell ya, I'll become a Christian when I'm rich, famous, done everything, too old to have any fun, and then I'll do it just... hmmm..... to be safe." Dorla's new found faith upset John but it did impress him. "She was so happy all the time; I was like totally miserable. One day I said 'What makes you so happy?' And she goes, 'I'm glad you asked.' And I just go 'Oh, man - here it comes.'" 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. One evening, just prior to his planned demise, John agreed to accompany Dorla to see their pastor. "I only went along so my wife would be able to say 'he tried' after I was gone," said John. But God wasn't about to let John end things. That evening, "I... got hit with a boldness about Jesus that I've never known before," he recalls in awe. "I got saved that night, and it was a new beginning for me. I didn't feel that burden of guilt anymore, and I had a new chance. Although I still had all my debts from all my drug stupidity, I knew that God and I were gonna be able - you know, we'd take care of it. And sure enough, it was (taken care of), step by step - God's way." If you asked John back then if he'd have anything to do with music again, he would have given you a firm "no". His priorities had shifted -- God and his family came first. And of course, he wanted nothing to do with the drug scene ever again. But God wasn't done with him musically. In fact, it turned out that John's days in Head East were a precursor to something greater. Five years after firmly putting music behind him, God called John back to fronting the Christian rock band Petra. For more information: http://www.johnwschlitt.com