Jesus

Gospel Beat Music

Way before Christian music began to take its form, back in the late 60's and early 70's a style of Christian music known as Jesus Music originated out of the West Coast of America. Also known as Gospel beat music in the UK this type of music has a very big following.

Jesus music primarily began when some hippie street musicians converted to Christianity. These musicians continued playing the same styles of music, though they infused their lyrics with a Christian message. Many bands developed out of this, and some became leaders within the Jesus movement, most notably Barry McGuire, Love Song, Second Chapter of Acts, Larry Norman, Randy Matthews, Andraé Crouch (and the Disciples), and later Keith Green. In the UK, Malcolm and Alwyn were the most notable agents of the gospel beat.

American churches largely rejected these artists at the time, unable to see the difference between their music and the music of mainstream, or secular, artists of the day. Many within the church felt that the message was being lost because of the "worldly" musical style. Some Jesus Music artists responded by quoting 16th century reformer Martin Luther, "why should the devil have all the best tunes?"

For more information on gospel beat music refer to Answers.com

Answers - Jesus music, also known as gospel beat music in the United Kingdom, is a style of Christian music which originated on the West Coast of the United States. www.answers.com

Ottawa Inner City Ministries - History of the Jesus movement, Jesus music, an annotated Bibliography and general resource, Jesus people movement began in 1967. www.ottawainnercityministries.ca

Wikipedia - Keith Gordon Green, the life and times of this singer, song writer and pianist of Jesus Music. en.wikipedia.org

Poem Hunter - Randy Matthews, Christian rock, discography, links, timeline and videos of the early Jesus music pioneer. www.poemhunter.com

Keith Green

Keith Green
Keith Gorden Green born 21.11.1953 - died 28.07.83 was a singer, song writer and pianist from Sheepshed Bay, New York. Keith had a very strong devotion to Christianity and is best known for his Jesus music. Songs written by Green and/or his wife, Melody Green, include "I Don't Wanna Fall Away From You", "You Put This Love In My Heart", "Your Love Broke Through" and "Asleep In The Light", as well as the modern hymns "O Lord, You're Beautiful", "There Is A Redeemer" and "Create In Me A Clean Heart".

Keith Green Picture

For more information on the life and times of Keith Green see Wikipedia.

Randy Matthews

Randy Matthews
An early pioneer in the Jesus music/contemporary Christian music field, Randy Matthews was often opposed for combining rock music rhythms and traditional Gospel doctrine. Some of his works include Wish We'd All Been Ready, All I Am Is What You See...I Pray You See The Truth In Me, Son Of Dust and Eyes To The Sky to just name a few of his albums. For more information got to Poem Hunter.