Genesis of a Genre - Book Review

"Genesis of a Genre" by Joe Markko uncovers the Origins of Christian Rock in America. This captivating book delves into the birth and evolution of contemporary Christian rock music. As a lifelong musician and co-founder of the renowned 'All Saved Freak Band,' Markko's passion for the genre shines through as he shares his extensive research. I visited good old YouTube, listened to a few of their pieces, and was very impressed. They have a very bluesy style. Their music was certainly much different than what you would expect to hear as Christian Rock in a church. It is rock, blues, and very contemporary.

Markko Introduces Agape, the Revolutionary Rock Band of the Jesus Movement. During the hippies and spiritual awakening era, Agape emerged as a trailblazing rock band with a unique twist. While various Christian bands like Sunrise, Joy, Kentucky Faith, and more delivered the message of the Jesus movement, it was Agape that birthed the wave of Christian musical groups across the country.

Led by the incredibly talented guitarist Fred Caban, Agape used the power of music to share the transformative message of Jesus Christ. After finding his faith following high school, Caban was determined to connect with his peers. To accomplish this, he enlisted bassist John Peckhart and drummer Mike Jungkman to form Agape.

In a time when Christian rock faced resistance, Agape fearlessly pushed boundaries, paving the way for future generations. Despite facing rejection from traditional churches, their loud and captivating sound could not be silenced. This iconic band set out on a mission to spread love and faith through the universal language of music.

Fred Caban was the band's vocalist and guitarist; his sound was very psychedelic or acid rock with a blues feel, and the message was Jesus's love.

The Jesus Revolution's music profoundly impacted the Christian church, sparking a revival that reshaped worship services. In the late 60s and early 70s, electric guitars and modern music were initially seen as "satanic" by Christian leaders. However, bands like Agape proved them wrong, as their music led to countless unconverted individuals picking up a Bible for the first time. This God-inspired music resonated with millions worldwide and played a pivotal role in the emergence of the "Jesus People" movement. Agape's story is one of faith-filled creativity and a powerful wave of spiritual awakening.

"Genesis of a Genre" is not only a book for people interested in Christian bands and music but also an excellent book for any musician interested in bands.