Gregory Xavier Volz (born January 12, 1950) is a Christian rock singer. He is most noted for being the lead singer of Petra from 1979 to 1985. He has continued to sing, sporadically, for different iterations of Petra such as Classic Petra (2010-2012) and Classic Petra Resurrection (CPR; 2016 to the present)
Greg X. Volz
A self-taught musician by age 13, Volz joined a band with his cousins called The Wombats in 1964. They were formed while all the members were high schoolers in Metamora, Illinois. Volz remained with the Wombats until the band dissolved in 1968. In fall 1968, he formed a band called Gidian’s Bible in Indianapolis.
At some point during this pre-Christian music period, he shared stages with Janis Joplin and Chicago among others. In 1970 he became a born-again Christian. Gidian’s Bible fell apart and together with drummer David Eden, Volz formed a new Jesus music band called e Band. The only studio recordings from e can be found on the rock musical two-disc LP Because I Am released in 1973. After they broke up in 1975 Volz moved to Springfield, Missouri, where he worked with guitarist Phil Keaggy. He also performed the lead role in a rock stage musical called Ezekiel. Volz was offered the lead singer position of REO Speedwagon in 1976 but declined due to his Christian faith. Six weeks later he was asked to participate in Petra’s second album, Come and Join Us. Although Volz guest sang on only three tunes, Petra’s founder/guitarist Bob Hartman was impressed enough to ask Volz to take over the lead vocalist slot. (At that time, Hartman and co-founder/guitarist Greg Hough had been sharing the duties.)
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