Photo from: Jesus Rock Legends

In the Fall of 1968 into the summer of 1969, the idea of marrying two existing worlds, the Gospel and the music of the day, seemed to coalesce as spiritually-renewed musicians responded to a simultaneous unction to touch their world through music. Finding themselves "in the right place, at the right time," all the ministers of music represented on this Timeline would be the first to say that they were accidental pioneers and blessed beyond understanding to be a small part in God's very big plan.

This suggested Timeline concerns itself with chronology only and makes no assumptions as to musical impact, cultural imprint or eternal value. In fact, the greatest benefit of this Timeline may be its' attempt to bring under one cover varied bits of information scattered across the Datasphere. Attempting to track the earliest impulses, as well as the evolution/development of an entire sub-category of Rock 'n Roll, criteria for inclusion in the Timeline were:

• Musicians were actively touring  with at least one, all original, exclusively Christian content album by 1973 AND,

• Concerts were ministry - oriented and 100% of the original music was Gospel or Christian themed AND,

• Musicians and groups are well referenced by multiple sources.

When taken as a whole the criteria do not embrace several gifted and notable groups such as  The Bridge, First Revelation, Selah, the E-Band, Mind Garage or the Way. While their enormous contributions to the expansion of Jesus Music cannot be overstated, our suggested Timeline focuses on those musicians generally considered instrumental in helping to establish the genre. We recommend the excellent resources at www.One-Way.Org and Hidden Vision Records for detailed information on many of these earliest innovators.

We invite you to take advantage of the many YouTube videos we've embedded, some from as early as 1927. The 20 videos, found at the bottom of these pages, should enable readers to more completely experience and fully appreciate the contributions of these pioneers of a musical genre. For students of the earliest Jesus music we suggest that a rich musical and spiritual experience may be drawn from viewing and listening to all of them, back to back. Clicking on the flashing, red arrow at the end of each article will take you to the next entry. We're interested in your comments, feedback, additions and/or corrections to our suggested Jesus Music Timeline.

 
Dedicated to all the children of the Jesus Movement.  Artist: John Michael Talbot