I had the incredible privilege of being able to get (and stay) in touch with William Glover, one of the founding members and drummer of the band Petra. What an opportunity! This guy was bashing skin before I was even born! Awesome! Petra literally rocked my world from their very early stuff like the 70’s rock to the late 90’s. I just couldn’t get enough of the lyrics, the beat, the heart behind it all and the sincerity of the band and its members. I posed 5 questions to Bill and he graciously answered them all! Here is everything you wanted to know about the early days of Petra and Bill Glover, the drummer!

1. When you started drumming in Petra, what was the ‘Christian rock’ music scene like and how was the church responding to it?

It was 1972 and there were a few Christian artist around - mostly Jesus People who had gotten saved out of the “Hippie” peace and love movement. We called our music Jesus music, God rock, or Christian rock. Most of the Christian artist we did concerts with were from California - Love Song, Larry Norman, Barry McGuire, etc…but they were folk or country rock so they got a little better reception among the “churchy” Christians. Here in the Midwest the support we got from Christians was non-existent. Most of the concerts we did were staged by para-church organizations. They would have us set up outdoors in parks, on college campuses, parking lots, and in coffee houses ran by “undercover” Christians trying to evangelize. In those early days of Christian rock we were mostly a para-church, evangelistic, outreach ministry. For example, on college campuses we would be invited by Campus Crusade for Christ. We would set up a stage were the students would be sure to hear us rockin’ out and just hold a concert right there, singing and telling students about the love of God in Christ Jesus. However, as God would have it, here in Fort Wayne we had good support from our home church, Calvary Temple. The senior pastor was an aggressive evangelist with a bus ministry, coffee house ministry and a two year Bible college. The music minister was the pastor’s son fresh out of O.R.U. A huge Christian college in Tulsa, Oklahoma, where he was the director of the singing group that toured and recorded. He had made some connections in Nashville with Word records. He took us to audition for the record execs and we got a deal with their Jesus music subsidiary. They still really had no idea what to do with us or how to market our music. It was a shaky start but it was a start.

2. Did you ever come across Christians who were quite opposed to a ‘Christian rock band’? How would you have dealt with that?

All the time. They were frightened by rock music and thought the beat was evil. I was accused of some how bringing the “devil’s drum beat” from the Third World. This type of rhetoric was started by ignorant Christians who were trying to protect there kids from our influence. That just made us controversial and therefore more interesting to the kids. So God was glorified and worked all the negative opposition for our good in the end.

3. What kit do you play now and what styles do you prefer to play?

I have three set now days [Don't we all? NOT! - Matt]. Why? I do not know the answer to that question. I have a 5 piece maple DW fusion drum kit. I like that set for studio and live performances that have a lot of different styles of music. I also have a 4 piece TAMA Superstar drum kit with the bigger size drums made of birch. It is a nice loud rock kit for straight-a-head rock. I also have a 1977 9 piece TAMA Superstar double bass concert set, of all birch shells, very loud and very big drum sizes. I love to play all the kits and I love all kinds of music including country, raggie, blues, jazz and gospel.

4. As a Christian and a drummer, how do you think we can use our drums to glorify God?

It is my feeling that we glorify God when we take the talent that God gave us and use it to encourage ourselves, praise God and bless others. It could be playing in the praise and worship band at church or it could be playing with your friends in school band. It makes no difference if the music or venue be religious or secular. The point is to use our gifts and talents that God has given us by using it with others in-mind in some way. Music is a beautiful gift of God given to the world through musicians to move people emotionally, to comfort, to encourage, to praise God & edify the body of Christ. I say don’t keep your gifts and talent to yourself.

5. What would you say is the most important thing, as a drummer, to remember when playing in a band where the focus is God?

We must try to keep our focus on discerning the spirit or mood that the music and lyrics are trying to communicate. A drummer must develop a ear that is trained in this area or he might-as-well be beating the air. The best thing a musician can do is listen and discern what needs to be played at the time. This requires a good ear, concentration, focus, alertness, and talent. We need to approach the music humbly knowing that we are not indisposable. Our attitude is key. Our attitude towards music, the spirit, other musicians, listeners, is most important. We cannot have an attitude that is right with God if we are slack in these other areas. Being in right relationship with God puts us in right relationship with everything and everyone else.

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I want to thank Bill for his time and excellent input. It has shown me that Christians and drummers all face the same challenges but God is greater than anything and anyone that might stand up in our way. We are to use our gifts, no matter where we are - whether it be in a church or a band - for God’s glory!

For more info on Petra, check out the Wiki page >>>

The Official Petra site

If you or your band want an interview - contact me!

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