Rewind: Live in Chicago with the Godfather of the Christian Coachella
Rock That Doesn't Roll: The Story of Christian MusicSummary
Glenn Kaiser, a prominent figure in the Christian rock scene, shares his journey from a troubled youth to a founding member of the Resurrection Band during a live recording in Chicago. Kaiser recounts his early experiences with music and addiction, detailing a transformative moment when he found faith at 18. His passion for music and spirituality led him to create the Resurrection Band, which became known for its edgy sound and socially conscious lyrics, addressing issues like addiction and social justice.
The conversation highlights the impact of the Resurrection Band and the Cornerstone Festival, which Kaiser helped establish as a gathering for diverse artists and audiences. He emphasizes the importance of community and the challenges of maintaining authenticity in a commercialized music industry. Kaiser also reflects on the evolution of his beliefs and the necessity of engaging with difficult social issues within the church, advocating for a more inclusive and honest approach to faith and music. Through his experiences, he encourages younger generations to seek genuine connections and to be prepared for the complexities of communal living and spiritual growth.
Show Notes
This episode was originally published in 2025. Glenn Kaiser has had a huge influence on Christian music as a musician, a festival co-founder and an outspoken thought leader. He was our top guest choice for our live taping in January of 2025 in Chicago. While Glenn Kaiser is a singular figure in the world of Christian music, we are aware that Jesus People USA is a triggering topic for some listeners. For a more thorough examination of Jesus People USA check out the book Grey Sabbath or for the perspective of abuse survivors from JPUSA, the film No Place To Call Home. This interview does not go into the topic of abuse, but we gave Glenn the opportunity to address it via email. He said, "The sad reality is sins of abuse, etc. happen and how to best respond to such regardless is a long work that has progressed for us. Over the past decade we've established several professional safeguards to ensure the safety of children and policies to address it. All in leadership and most in the wider fellowship have completed courses re. abuse and are mandated reporters."-- Do you have a Christian rock story to tell? Leave us a message at (629) 204-4264. If Rock That Doesn’t Roll is important to you, support us on Patreon. https://www.patreon.com/rtdr (join via the website, not the iOS app) Or make a one-time donation: https://coff.ee/rtdr If you can't afford a donation, please tell five friends about the show. You can connect with us on Instagram or by emailing [email protected] Sign up for our Substack to keep up with show developments. Buy RTDR merch here.
More from Rock That Doesn't Roll: The Story of Christian Music
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