John Elefante is a renown singer-song writer, instrumentalist, and avid producer from Long Beach, California. John cut his teeth as a singer in a band called KANSAS back in the early 1980's. At the time, KANSAS was one of the top-grossing concert acts in the world. John joined the band in February of 1982 as lead vocalist replacing longtime vocalist-Steve Walsh. With John Elefante fronting the band, KANSAS went on to release their 8th studio album titled 'Vinyl Confessions' in 1982. The album featured 80's era Rock with piano/guitar driven arrangements along with violin play throughout the recording. 'Vinyl Confessions' renewed interest in the band & produced a Top 20 hit with their track "Play the Game Tonight". The track went on to reach No. 4 on Billboard's Mainstream Rock chart. It's worth noting that 'Vinyl Confessions' also helped garner the band some new fans within the Christian community due to many of the album's lyrics reflecting John's faith.
Just one year later, with John Elefante still front and center, KANSAS followed-up with their 1983 recording titled 'Drastic Measures'. This release was an AOR Rock album where their track "Fight Fire with Fire" saw no little fame reaching No. 3 on the Billboard Mainstream Rock chart. After 'Drastic Measures', John would only go on to produce one more song with KANSAS. The hit single was "Perfect Lover" which was featured on 'The Best Of Kansas' album released in 1984. 'The Best Of Kansas' sold over four million units in the U.S. alone. Not long after the publication of their "Best Of" album, John left the band to pursue other opportunities.
After leaving KANSAS, John went on to form the band MASTEDON with his brother Dino Elefante in the late 80's. With MASTEDON, John went in a much heavier musical direction. MASTEDON now has 4 releases to their credit including 1989-'It's A Jungle Out There', 1990-'Lofcaudio', 2009-'Mastedon 3 With John Elefante', and 2010-'Revolution of Mind'. MASTEDON quickly captured the attention of Christian Rock & Metal fans around the world with the band's top of the line vocals, catchy hooks, solid production, and Christ centered lyrics.
In the mid 1990's, John Elefante decide to return to the sounds of his roots and began creating material as a solo artist. John now has a number of solo albums to his credit including 1995-"Windows Of Heaven", 1997-"Corridors", 1999-"Defying Gravity", and 2013-"On My Way To The Sun".
Just one year later, with John Elefante still front and center, KANSAS followed-up with their 1983 recording titled 'Drastic Measures'. This release was an AOR Rock album where their track "Fight Fire with Fire" saw no little fame reaching No. 3 on the Billboard Mainstream Rock chart. After 'Drastic Measures', John would only go on to produce one more song with KANSAS. The hit single was "Perfect Lover" which was featured on 'The Best Of Kansas' album released in 1984. 'The Best Of Kansas' sold over four million units in the U.S. alone. Not long after the publication of their "Best Of" album, John left the band to pursue other opportunities.
After leaving KANSAS, John went on to form the band MASTEDON with his brother Dino Elefante in the late 80's. With MASTEDON, John went in a much heavier musical direction. MASTEDON now has 4 releases to their credit including 1989-'It's A Jungle Out There', 1990-'Lofcaudio', 2009-'Mastedon 3 With John Elefante', and 2010-'Revolution of Mind'. MASTEDON quickly captured the attention of Christian Rock & Metal fans around the world with the band's top of the line vocals, catchy hooks, solid production, and Christ centered lyrics.
In the mid 1990's, John Elefante decide to return to the sounds of his roots and began creating material as a solo artist. John now has a number of solo albums to his credit including 1995-"Windows Of Heaven", 1997-"Corridors", 1999-"Defying Gravity", and 2013-"On My Way To The Sun".
In 2022 John Elefante released his 5th full-length studio album titled 'The Amazing Grace' on the Escape Music label. This album marks John's 5th studio release as a solo artist. The album was produced & engineered by John Elefante with different parts having been recorded in various studios throughout middle Tennessee. The recording was mixed by Joseph James & mastered by Brian J. Anthony. The album's Layout and Design were done by Lee Stokes. For all those hard-core Elefante fans out there, it's worth noting that the 1st 1000 copies of 'The Amazing Grace' come with an autographed postcard.
'The Amazing Grace' continues in the veins of John's earlier days back in the 80's with KANSAS. The album features many instruments and sounds similar to that of his work on 'Vinyl Confessions' & 'Drastic Measures'. Like these two recordings, John's latest album incorporates similar Instruments like the piano, violin, trumpet, keyboards, acoustic & electric guitars along with all the other instruments of a normal Rock band. Yes, 'The Amazing Grace' feels like it could have been a follow-up release to KANSAS' 1983 album 'Drastic Measures'. 'The Amazing Grace' is a big production that took some time to put together where John brought on a number of musicians to bring this project to life. The line-up for 'The Amazing Grace' was comprised of lead vocalist-John Elefante, guitarists-Dave Cleveland, Frank Boxberger, & John Elefante, bassist-Anthony Sallee, keyboardist-
John Elefante, drummer-Dan Needham, acoustic guitarist-Dave Cleveland & Dustin Blatnik(on track 6), percussionist-Eric Darken, pianist-Jimmy Nichols(on track 10), Strings & String Arrangements-Chris Carmichael,
additional vocals-Jonell Mosser(on tracks 1, 11).
Some tracks that stand out on this 2022 release include track-1 "City of Grace", track-2 "Stronger Now", track-3 "The Amazing Grace", track-5 "Won't Fade Away", track-6 "Not Alone", track-8 "We Will Be Fine", track-9 "Little Brown Book", track-10 "And When I'm Gone".
'The Amazing Grace' continues in the veins of John's earlier days back in the 80's with KANSAS. The album features many instruments and sounds similar to that of his work on 'Vinyl Confessions' & 'Drastic Measures'. Like these two recordings, John's latest album incorporates similar Instruments like the piano, violin, trumpet, keyboards, acoustic & electric guitars along with all the other instruments of a normal Rock band. Yes, 'The Amazing Grace' feels like it could have been a follow-up release to KANSAS' 1983 album 'Drastic Measures'. 'The Amazing Grace' is a big production that took some time to put together where John brought on a number of musicians to bring this project to life. The line-up for 'The Amazing Grace' was comprised of lead vocalist-John Elefante, guitarists-Dave Cleveland, Frank Boxberger, & John Elefante, bassist-Anthony Sallee, keyboardist-
John Elefante, drummer-Dan Needham, acoustic guitarist-Dave Cleveland & Dustin Blatnik(on track 6), percussionist-Eric Darken, pianist-Jimmy Nichols(on track 10), Strings & String Arrangements-Chris Carmichael,
additional vocals-Jonell Mosser(on tracks 1, 11).
Some tracks that stand out on this 2022 release include track-1 "City of Grace", track-2 "Stronger Now", track-3 "The Amazing Grace", track-5 "Won't Fade Away", track-6 "Not Alone", track-8 "We Will Be Fine", track-9 "Little Brown Book", track-10 "And When I'm Gone".
When it comes to John Elefante's vocals, I think something can be said just for the fact that he still sounds exactly like he did back in the 80's and 90's which is quite amazing. John has a unique distinct vocal delivery that is difficult to compare to other singers of the same genre. I believe he still has a lot to offer to the Rock 'n Roll community even today. John Elefante is still greatly appreciated by those who love his work as a vocalist and a producer for Pakaderm Records back in the day. John has helped bring to life many of the Christian bands that we still listen to today. Some of the bands that he has produced include Guardian, Halo, X-Sinner, Mastedon, The Brave, Scott Springer, and Fear Not just to mention a few.
Lyrics are thought provoking as one can see in the following excerpts:
"City of Grace"
Come, come on in
To the city of grace
Come, come inside
To the city of grace
Come, Come on in
To the city of grace
Welcome here my friends
To a world that knows no end
Welcome here today
Into the city of grace
"The Amazing Grace"
feels like I'm floating out in space all alone
no way to call home
Throw me in a room
And Read me my rights
I'm guilty of sin of the highest degree
You can't make me summit to all your man made rules
And I won't bow down to your false gods and kings
And all the kings horses
And all the kings men
They'll rescue you
And put you back together again
This time was appointed for this day to come
And all of God's angels
With all of His might
Will pick you up
And put you back together again
This time was appointed for this day to come
This is the amazing grace
"Won't Fade Away"
They here what they won't to hear
And they pay like the fools
And they slander the wise men
And tell them that they have no use
They search for gold and silver
They build mansions on a hill
Putting their faith in only things
They can hold in their hands
And time seems to roll on
Doesn't wait for anyone
There's only so many mornings
When we'll see the sun rise
"Little Brown Book"
What you may question
Has stood the test of time
Look straight ahead
And don't be blinded by deception
It's the power of my little brown book
Just keep your eyes on it
And keep your heart in it
Let's keep your hands on it
And give it all away
Don't take your mind off it
And just wrap you soul around it
And keep it wide open
Give it all away
"And When I'm Gone"
She said you looked at me
I looked at you
I knew right then
I'd love you forever
I'd heard your words
you spoke to me
I still recall like it was yesterday
you said there is a road that leads to nowhere
But I thank God that I never let you go that way
Oh no oh no
And there was things that clouded your direction
But you are my flesh and blood
And I'll see you through the day
And when I'm gone
Will you remember me?
Will your memories of me
Fade or last forever?
I gave you all
All that I have to give
And on this day
I hope you hear me say
Go out my child
And give what you've learned away
Come, come on in
To the city of grace
Come, come inside
To the city of grace
Come, Come on in
To the city of grace
Welcome here my friends
To a world that knows no end
Welcome here today
Into the city of grace
"The Amazing Grace"
feels like I'm floating out in space all alone
no way to call home
Throw me in a room
And Read me my rights
I'm guilty of sin of the highest degree
You can't make me summit to all your man made rules
And I won't bow down to your false gods and kings
And all the kings horses
And all the kings men
They'll rescue you
And put you back together again
This time was appointed for this day to come
And all of God's angels
With all of His might
Will pick you up
And put you back together again
This time was appointed for this day to come
This is the amazing grace
"Won't Fade Away"
They here what they won't to hear
And they pay like the fools
And they slander the wise men
And tell them that they have no use
They search for gold and silver
They build mansions on a hill
Putting their faith in only things
They can hold in their hands
And time seems to roll on
Doesn't wait for anyone
There's only so many mornings
When we'll see the sun rise
"Little Brown Book"
What you may question
Has stood the test of time
Look straight ahead
And don't be blinded by deception
It's the power of my little brown book
Just keep your eyes on it
And keep your heart in it
Let's keep your hands on it
And give it all away
Don't take your mind off it
And just wrap you soul around it
And keep it wide open
Give it all away
"And When I'm Gone"
She said you looked at me
I looked at you
I knew right then
I'd love you forever
I'd heard your words
you spoke to me
I still recall like it was yesterday
you said there is a road that leads to nowhere
But I thank God that I never let you go that way
Oh no oh no
And there was things that clouded your direction
But you are my flesh and blood
And I'll see you through the day
And when I'm gone
Will you remember me?
Will your memories of me
Fade or last forever?
I gave you all
All that I have to give
And on this day
I hope you hear me say
Go out my child
And give what you've learned away
Once again, John Elefante has delivered up a solid offering with his latest album 'The Amazing Grace'. If you are into bands like KANSAS, Greg X. Volz, Steve Camp, Harvest, or even Neal Morse then you are going to love this project. This is one of those releases where the more you listen to it the better it gets. Help support John Elefante and Christian Rock music by picking up your copy of 'The Amazing Grace' today!
Musicians:
John Elefante - Lead Vocals & Backing Vocals
Dave Cleveland, Frank Boxberger, & John Elefante - Guitars
Anthony Sallee - Bass
John Elefante - Keyboards
Dan Needham - Drums
Additional Musicians:
Dave Cleveland & Dustin Blatnik - Acoustic Guitars on track (6)
Eric Darken - Percussion
Jimmy Nichols - Piano on track (10)
Chris Carmichael - Strings & String Arrangements
Jonell Mosser - Additional Vocals on tracks (1, 11)
John Elefante - Lead Vocals & Backing Vocals
Dave Cleveland, Frank Boxberger, & John Elefante - Guitars
Anthony Sallee - Bass
John Elefante - Keyboards
Dan Needham - Drums
Additional Musicians:
Dave Cleveland & Dustin Blatnik - Acoustic Guitars on track (6)
Eric Darken - Percussion
Jimmy Nichols - Piano on track (10)
Chris Carmichael - Strings & String Arrangements
Jonell Mosser - Additional Vocals on tracks (1, 11)