Gospel Rock

tagStarted 1969Peak 1972-1985Last big hit 2000s

Located in 2 routes

Rock → Christian / Worship Rock Gospel / Christian / Spiritual → Christian Rock / Worship Rock

Rootsy, soul- and blues-inflected rock where gospel feeling drives the groove: gritty electric guitars, Hammond organ, bluesy bends and impassioned, testimony-style vocals. Lyrics preach redemption with raw, sometimes prophetic edge. Earthier and more swaggering than polished CCM, carrying the spirit of the Jesus-music pioneers who first wedded the pulpit to the riff.

History

Larry Norman's 1969 'Upon This Rock' is widely cited as the genre's wellspring, launching out of the Jesus Movement and the Salt Company coffeehouse. Chicago's Resurrection Band (Rez), founded 1972 by Jesus People USA, pushed bluesy hard-edged gospel rock with socially conscious lyrics. Steve Taylor later carried its satirical, prophetic streak forward.

Defining artists

Larry NormanSpotify YouTube
Resurrection BandSpotify YouTube
Steve TaylorSpotify YouTube
Phil KeaggySpotify YouTube
Randy StonehillSpotify YouTube
Daniel AmosSpotify YouTube

Essential listening

I Wish We'd All Been Ready — Larry NormanSpotify YouTube
Why Should the Devil Have All the Good Music — Larry NormanSpotify YouTube
Military Man — Resurrection BandSpotify YouTube
I Want to Be a Clone — Steve TaylorSpotify YouTube
Tell Me How You Feel — Resurrection BandSpotify YouTube

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Sources

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Larry_Norman
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Resurrection_Band
https://ramblingeveron.com/2018/01/10/the-forgotten-history-of-christian-rock-part-one/