Mylon LeFevre
Encyclopedia
Mylon LeFevre is an American Christian music
singer, who was the leader of the Grammy Award
-winning band Mylon and Broken Heart. He is a member of the Gospel Music Association Hall of Fame
. He currently travels around the United States, ministering, teaching and singing. He sometimes can be seen on television networks, such as TBN
and Daystar
.
) into the pioneering Southern gospel
family, The Singing LeFevres, Mylon was the youngest son of Eva Mae and Urias LeFevre. When he was old enough, he began to sing and play guitar with the group.
As a teen, Mylon was expelled from a private religious high school when his father took him out to be with the family while they performed at a local concert. At 17 years old, while in the Army
where he was paid $84 per month, he wrote his first song, "Without Him." While stationed at Fort Jackson, South Carolina
, the LeFevres were performing at a gospel convention in Memphis. That weekend, Mylon hitchhiked over 600 miles to get there. Onstage, singing “Without Him,” he did not know that Elvis Presley
was there. After the concert, Elvis asked to meet Mylon. Shortly thereafter, Elvis recorded the song for his album, How Great Thou Art, and within the next year, over a hundred artists would record his song. According to Mylon, writing the song took about twenty minutes and produced an initial royalty check of approximately $90,000. With that money he purchased his first car, a Corvette
, one of many sports cars he would own.
After leaving the Army, Mylon became a member of the famed Stamps Quartet (1966–1968). In 1968, Mylon would release the only solo album he did in the Southern gospel vein, Your Only Tomorrow
Mylon wanted to write and sing contemporary music that gives glory to God, but
there seemed to be no place for his music—or his longer hair and long sideburns—in his family or the Church. His first mainstream album, entitled Mylon, We Believe (Atlantic/Cotillion Records 1969), is considered by some to be the first true "Jesus Rock" album. Mylon took the classic song, "Gospel Ship," setting the familiar Southern Gospel melody to rock-n-roll tempo.
, and formed the "Holy Smoke Doo Dah Band" with Auburn Burrell and J.P. Lauzon on guitar, drummer Marty Simon, Tom Robb on bass and keyboardist Lester Langdale. From 1970 through 1980, he recorded and performed with Eric Clapton
, Elton John
, Billy Joel
, Duane Allman
, Berry Oakley
, Little Richard
, & the Who
, among others .
The album On the Road to Freedom
was produced by Alvin Lee
and recorded in George Harrison
's studio with Ron Wood
, Steve Winwood
, Jim Capaldi
and Mick Fleetwood
, & released in 1973 . Lee & Harrison are also contributing writer/musicians . In 1974, he appeared as a fill-in vocalist on several tracks for The Atlanta Rhythm Section
's album Third Annual Pipe Dream.
Mylon started getting high to deal with the stress and to fit in. His drug use escalated to a near-fatal overdose of heroin in 1973. So Mylon committed himself to a drug treatment program that year. Seven months later, Mylon came out clean.
In 1980, LeFevre attended a concert by the CCM group, 2nd Chapter of Acts
. Their long hair, and music showed that they weren’t concerned with outward appearances, but with issues of the heart. Buck Herring, the group’s leader, led the people in prayer and Mylon prayed along and submitted to Jesus as the Lord of his life.
, in Atlanta—where he worked as a janitor, while attending Bible-study classes. His first challenge was to get out of his music contract which, according to the terms, could only be broken “by an act of God.” Mylon’s attorney argued that being born again is an act of God and won the case. In return for release from his contract, Mylon agreed to give up all future royalties on his songs, publishing and recordings.
In 1981, he started a Christian band called The Gathering Ground Band, later to be renamed Airborn with some musicians he met in the Bible study: Dean Harrington (Lead Guitar, Vocals & Percussion), Don Woods (Drums & Percussion), Kim Klout (Bass), Mike Adams (Rhythm Guitar) and Michael Milsap (Keyboards). In 1982, the band changed their name to Broken Heart. A small offshoot gospel label from MCA Records
known as Songbird released Broken Heart's 1st album "Brand New Start" in 1982., with Band members: Dean Harrington, Kenny Bentley (Bass and Vocals), Stan Coats (Keyboards and Vocals), Ben Hewitt (Drums and Percussion), and Mike Adams. Others Musicians who helped with the 1st Album ("Brand New Start") were: Joe Hardy (Bass, Guitars and Percussion) and John Hampton (Drums), Ed DeGarmo (of DeGarmo & Keys, Organ & Synthesizer), Jack Holder (Guitar & Background Vocals), Jimi Jamison (Background Vocals), Debbie Cathey (Background Vocals), Phil Driscoll (Trumpet & Fluegel Horn). Later members of the band included: Tim Huffman (Guitars and Vocals) and Scott Allen (Rhythm Guitars and Vocals). Others Musicians who helped with other albums over the years were: Kerry Livgren (of Kansas), Phil Keaggy and Ed Zimmerman, The Group 2nd Chaper of Acts (Annie Herring, Nellie Greison, Matthew Ward), The Group Sevenfold (Carol Ford, Venessa Ford, Jaquelyn Street, Valarie Street, Angela Street, Charlotte Reed, Eveleaner Smith) and Jimmy Jamieson. Two more Albums came out in 1983, "More" and "Live Forever" (recorded live at Six Flags Over Georgia, in Atlanta).
Over the next ten years, he released ten albums and traveled over a million miles. In 1987, the group attempted to cross over to mainstream rock by rechristening itself 'Look Up!' and releasing an album with Columbia Records
. The album contained a retooled updating of "Peace Begins Within" from the We Believe album and a cover of DeGarmo and Key
's "Love is All You Need." Over the years guitarists Scott Allen, David Payton, Trent Argante, and Skip Benicky and keyboardists Stan Coates, Paul Joseph, and Marshall Pratt were also members. Many members of Broken Heart have gone on to become solo artists, music producers, worship leaders and pastors.
In 1987, the band received a Rock Album of The Year GMA Dove Award for Crack the Sky. That same year, they received a Grammy for Best Gospel Performance by a Duo, Group, Choir, or Chorus.
About this period (1982–1991), LeFevre said, "I was a Christian musician who preached a little, worshiped a little, and rocked a lot." Then in 1989, his past drug abuse caught up with him, and suffered a massive heart attack on a tour bus that summer while touring with White Heart
. Doctors advised him to stop touring, but against the physicians advice Mylon completed his scheduled obligations and finished his concert tours—which would mark the end of Mylon & Broken Heart.
, 4Him
, Michael W. Smith
and Steven Curtis Chapman
among other popular Christian musicians of the day along with Broken Heart bandmates Bentley, Hardy and Hewitt.
Following his heart attack, LeFevre increasingly turned to preaching and teaching as his vocation. He and his wife Christi minister in about 75 churches a year. He has also spoken at motorcycle rallies, NASCAR
owner/driver chapel services, NFL and NBA chapel services, and in Russia, Australia, Canada, the Philippines, the Cayman Islands, and Mexico. His most recent music release is 2003's Bow Down, produced by his son-in-law Peter Furler
of the Christian band Newsboys
. The couple's home church is Eagle Mountain International Church in Newark, Texas.
Christian music
Christian music is music that has been written to express either personal or a communal belief regarding Christian life and faith. Common themes of Christian music include praise, worship, penitence, and lament, and its forms vary widely across the world....
singer, who was the leader of the Grammy Award
Grammy Award
A Grammy Award — or Grammy — is an accolade by the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences of the United States to recognize outstanding achievement in the music industry...
-winning band Mylon and Broken Heart. He is a member of the Gospel Music Association Hall of Fame
Gospel Music Hall of Fame
The Gospel Music Hall of Fame, created in 1971 by the Gospel Music Association, is a Hall of Fame dedicated exclusively to recognizing meaningful contributions by individuals and groups in all forms of gospel music.-Inductees:...
. He currently travels around the United States, ministering, teaching and singing. He sometimes can be seen on television networks, such as TBN
Trinity Broadcasting Network
The Trinity Broadcasting Network is a major American Christian television network. TBN is based in Costa Mesa, California, with auxiliary studio facilities in Irving, Texas; Hendersonville, Tennessee; Gadsden, Alabama; Decatur, Georgia; Miami, Florida; Tulsa, Oklahoma; Orlando, Florida; and New...
and Daystar
Daystar Television Network
The Daystar Television Network is an American evangelical Christian television religious broadcasting network headquartered near Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex in Bedford, Texas...
.
Early years
Born (in Gulfport, MississippiGulfport, Mississippi
Gulfport is the second largest city in Mississippi after the state capital Jackson. It is the larger of the two principal cities of the Gulfport-Biloxi, Mississippi Metropolitan Statistical Area, which is included in the Gulfport-Biloxi-Pascagoula, Mississippi Combined Statistical Area. As of the...
) into the pioneering Southern gospel
Southern Gospel
Southern Gospel music—at one time also known as "quartet music"—is music whose lyrics are written to express either personal or a communal faith regarding biblical teachings and Christian life, as well as to give a Christian alternative to mainstream secular music...
family, The Singing LeFevres, Mylon was the youngest son of Eva Mae and Urias LeFevre. When he was old enough, he began to sing and play guitar with the group.
As a teen, Mylon was expelled from a private religious high school when his father took him out to be with the family while they performed at a local concert. At 17 years old, while in the Army
United States Army
The United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services...
where he was paid $84 per month, he wrote his first song, "Without Him." While stationed at Fort Jackson, South Carolina
Fort Jackson, South Carolina
Fort Jackson is a United States Army installation, which TRADOC operates on for Basic Combat Training , and is located in Columbia, South Carolina. This installation is named for Andrew Jackson, a United States Army General and 7th President of the United States.-Overview:Fort Jackson was created...
, the LeFevres were performing at a gospel convention in Memphis. That weekend, Mylon hitchhiked over 600 miles to get there. Onstage, singing “Without Him,” he did not know that Elvis Presley
Elvis Presley
Elvis Aaron Presley was one of the most popular American singers of the 20th century. A cultural icon, he is widely known by the single name Elvis. He is often referred to as the "King of Rock and Roll" or simply "the King"....
was there. After the concert, Elvis asked to meet Mylon. Shortly thereafter, Elvis recorded the song for his album, How Great Thou Art, and within the next year, over a hundred artists would record his song. According to Mylon, writing the song took about twenty minutes and produced an initial royalty check of approximately $90,000. With that money he purchased his first car, a Corvette
Corvette
A corvette is a small, maneuverable, lightly armed warship, originally smaller than a frigate and larger than a coastal patrol craft or fast attack craft , although many recent designs resemble frigates in size and role...
, one of many sports cars he would own.
After leaving the Army, Mylon became a member of the famed Stamps Quartet (1966–1968). In 1968, Mylon would release the only solo album he did in the Southern gospel vein, Your Only Tomorrow
Mylon wanted to write and sing contemporary music that gives glory to God, but
there seemed to be no place for his music—or his longer hair and long sideburns—in his family or the Church. His first mainstream album, entitled Mylon, We Believe (Atlantic/Cotillion Records 1969), is considered by some to be the first true "Jesus Rock" album. Mylon took the classic song, "Gospel Ship," setting the familiar Southern Gospel melody to rock-n-roll tempo.
1970s through the Early 1980s
In 1970, Mylon signed with Columbia RecordsColumbia Records
Columbia Records is an American record label, owned by Japan's Sony Music Entertainment, operating under the Columbia Music Group with Aware Records. It was founded in 1888, evolving from an earlier enterprise, the American Graphophone Company — successor to the Volta Graphophone Company...
, and formed the "Holy Smoke Doo Dah Band" with Auburn Burrell and J.P. Lauzon on guitar, drummer Marty Simon, Tom Robb on bass and keyboardist Lester Langdale. From 1970 through 1980, he recorded and performed with Eric Clapton
Eric Clapton
Eric Patrick Clapton, CBE, is an English guitarist and singer-songwriter. Clapton is the only three-time inductee to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame: once as a solo artist, and separately as a member of The Yardbirds and Cream. Clapton has been referred to as one of the most important and...
, Elton John
Elton John
Sir Elton Hercules John, CBE, Hon DMus is an English rock singer-songwriter, composer, pianist and occasional actor...
, Billy Joel
Billy Joel
William Martin "Billy" Joel is an American musician and pianist, singer-songwriter, and classical composer. Since releasing his first hit song, "Piano Man", in 1973, Joel has become the sixth best-selling recording artist and the third best-selling solo artist in the United States, according to...
, Duane Allman
Duane Allman
Howard Duane Allman was an American guitarist, session musician and the primary co-founder of the southern rock group The Allman Brothers Band...
, Berry Oakley
Berry Oakley
Raymond Berry Oakley III , was an American bassist and one of the founding members of The Allman Brothers Band.-Biography:...
, Little Richard
Little Richard
Richard Wayne Penniman , known by the stage name Little Richard, is an American singer, songwriter, musician, recording artist, and actor, considered key in the transition from rhythm and blues to rock and roll in the 1950s. He was also the first artist to put the funk in the rock and roll beat and...
, & the Who
The Who
The Who are an English rock band formed in 1964 by Roger Daltrey , Pete Townshend , John Entwistle and Keith Moon . They became known for energetic live performances which often included instrument destruction...
, among others .
The album On the Road to Freedom
On the Road to Freedom
On the Road to Freedom is the 1973 album by Alvin Lee and Mylon LeFevre. Guest musicians include George Harrison, Steve Winwood, Jim Capaldi, Mick Fleetwood, and Ron Wood. It was recorded at George Harrison's studio...
was produced by Alvin Lee
Alvin Lee
Alvin Lee is an English rock guitarist and singer. He began playing guitar at the age of 13, and with Leo Lyons formed the core of the band Ten Years After in 1960...
and recorded in George Harrison
George Harrison
George Harrison, MBE was an English musician, guitarist, singer-songwriter, actor and film producer who achieved international fame as lead guitarist of The Beatles. Often referred to as "the quiet Beatle", Harrison became over time an admirer of Indian mysticism, and introduced it to the other...
's studio with Ron Wood
Ron Wood
Ronald David "Ronnie" Wood is an English rock guitarist and bassist best known as a former member of The Jeff Beck Group, Faces, and current member of The Rolling Stones. He also plays lap and pedal steel guitar....
, Steve Winwood
Steve Winwood
Stephen Lawrence "Steve" Winwood is an English international recording artist whose career spans nearly 50 years. He is a songwriter and a musician whose genres include soul music , R&B, rock, blues-rock, pop-rock, and jazz...
, Jim Capaldi
Jim Capaldi
Nicola James "Jim" Capaldi was an English musician and songwriter. His musical career lasted more than four decades. He co-founded Traffic in Birmingham with Steve Winwood, and the band's psychedelic rock was influential in Britain and the United States...
and Mick Fleetwood
Mick Fleetwood
Michael John Kells "Mick" Fleetwood is a British musician and actor best known for his role as the drummer and namesake of the blues/rock and roll band Fleetwood Mac. His surname, combined with that of John McVie, was the inspiration for the name of the originally Peter Green-led Fleetwood Mac...
, & released in 1973 . Lee & Harrison are also contributing writer/musicians . In 1974, he appeared as a fill-in vocalist on several tracks for The Atlanta Rhythm Section
Atlanta Rhythm Section
The Atlanta Rhythm Section, sometimes abbreviated ARS, is an American southern rock band. In 1970 former members of the Candymen and the Classics IV joined together and became the session band for the newly opened Studio One in Doraville, Georgia....
's album Third Annual Pipe Dream.
Mylon started getting high to deal with the stress and to fit in. His drug use escalated to a near-fatal overdose of heroin in 1973. So Mylon committed himself to a drug treatment program that year. Seven months later, Mylon came out clean.
In 1980, LeFevre attended a concert by the CCM group, 2nd Chapter of Acts
2nd Chapter of Acts
The 2nd Chapter of Acts was a Jesus Music and early Contemporary Christian Music group composed of sisters Annie Herring and Nelly Greisen and brother Matthew Ward. They began performing in 1973 and enjoyed their period of greatest success during the 1970s...
. Their long hair, and music showed that they weren’t concerned with outward appearances, but with issues of the heart. Buck Herring, the group’s leader, led the people in prayer and Mylon prayed along and submitted to Jesus as the Lord of his life.
The Broken Heart Era
Mylon quit secular rock and returned to his home church at Mt. Paran Church of GodChurch of God (Cleveland, Tennessee)
The Church of God, with headquarters in Cleveland, Tennessee, is a Pentecostal Christian denomination. With over seven million members in over 170 countries, it is one of the largest Pentecostal denominations in the world...
, in Atlanta—where he worked as a janitor, while attending Bible-study classes. His first challenge was to get out of his music contract which, according to the terms, could only be broken “by an act of God.” Mylon’s attorney argued that being born again is an act of God and won the case. In return for release from his contract, Mylon agreed to give up all future royalties on his songs, publishing and recordings.
In 1981, he started a Christian band called The Gathering Ground Band, later to be renamed Airborn with some musicians he met in the Bible study: Dean Harrington (Lead Guitar, Vocals & Percussion), Don Woods (Drums & Percussion), Kim Klout (Bass), Mike Adams (Rhythm Guitar) and Michael Milsap (Keyboards). In 1982, the band changed their name to Broken Heart. A small offshoot gospel label from MCA Records
MCA Records
MCA Records was an American-based record company owned by MCA Inc., which later gave way to the larger MCA Music Entertainment Group , of which MCA Records was still part. MCA Records was absorbed by Geffen Records in 2003...
known as Songbird released Broken Heart's 1st album "Brand New Start" in 1982., with Band members: Dean Harrington, Kenny Bentley (Bass and Vocals), Stan Coats (Keyboards and Vocals), Ben Hewitt (Drums and Percussion), and Mike Adams. Others Musicians who helped with the 1st Album ("Brand New Start") were: Joe Hardy (Bass, Guitars and Percussion) and John Hampton (Drums), Ed DeGarmo (of DeGarmo & Keys, Organ & Synthesizer), Jack Holder (Guitar & Background Vocals), Jimi Jamison (Background Vocals), Debbie Cathey (Background Vocals), Phil Driscoll (Trumpet & Fluegel Horn). Later members of the band included: Tim Huffman (Guitars and Vocals) and Scott Allen (Rhythm Guitars and Vocals). Others Musicians who helped with other albums over the years were: Kerry Livgren (of Kansas), Phil Keaggy and Ed Zimmerman, The Group 2nd Chaper of Acts (Annie Herring, Nellie Greison, Matthew Ward), The Group Sevenfold (Carol Ford, Venessa Ford, Jaquelyn Street, Valarie Street, Angela Street, Charlotte Reed, Eveleaner Smith) and Jimmy Jamieson. Two more Albums came out in 1983, "More" and "Live Forever" (recorded live at Six Flags Over Georgia, in Atlanta).
Over the next ten years, he released ten albums and traveled over a million miles. In 1987, the group attempted to cross over to mainstream rock by rechristening itself 'Look Up!' and releasing an album with Columbia Records
Columbia Records
Columbia Records is an American record label, owned by Japan's Sony Music Entertainment, operating under the Columbia Music Group with Aware Records. It was founded in 1888, evolving from an earlier enterprise, the American Graphophone Company — successor to the Volta Graphophone Company...
. The album contained a retooled updating of "Peace Begins Within" from the We Believe album and a cover of DeGarmo and Key
DeGarmo and Key
DeGarmo & Key was a Christian Rock group that started professionally in 1978. The primary members were Eddie DeGarmo and Dana Key. Eddie played keyboards and sang background vocals , while Dana played lead guitar and did the majority of the lead vocals. Other members included Tommy Cathey on bass...
's "Love is All You Need." Over the years guitarists Scott Allen, David Payton, Trent Argante, and Skip Benicky and keyboardists Stan Coates, Paul Joseph, and Marshall Pratt were also members. Many members of Broken Heart have gone on to become solo artists, music producers, worship leaders and pastors.
In 1987, the band received a Rock Album of The Year GMA Dove Award for Crack the Sky. That same year, they received a Grammy for Best Gospel Performance by a Duo, Group, Choir, or Chorus.
About this period (1982–1991), LeFevre said, "I was a Christian musician who preached a little, worshiped a little, and rocked a lot." Then in 1989, his past drug abuse caught up with him, and suffered a massive heart attack on a tour bus that summer while touring with White Heart
White Heart
White Heart, also listed as Whiteheart, was a Contemporary Christian Music pop-rock band which formed in 1982. White Heart's discography includes thirteen albums, the most recent of which was released in 1997. Original members Billy Smiley and Mark Gersmehl worked with a continually-changing cast...
. Doctors advised him to stop touring, but against the physicians advice Mylon completed his scheduled obligations and finished his concert tours—which would mark the end of Mylon & Broken Heart.
Solo Career to Present
In 1992, LeFevre inked a solo recording deal with Star Song Records and began releasing material that was less musically "edgy" than past offerings. His first release for them, Faith Hope and Love, included guest appearances from CarmanCarman (singer)
Carmelo Domenic Licciardello known by his stage name, Carman, is a contemporary Christian music artist and evangelist.-Biography:...
, 4Him
4Him
4Him was a Contemporary Christian group founded in 1990 in Alabama, USA. The group has a Grammy nomination, seven Dove awards and an album certified gold to their credit. The group was inducted into Alabama's Music Hall of Fame, following the awarding of The Governor’s Achievement Award...
, Michael W. Smith
Michael W. Smith
Michael Whitaker Smith is a Billboard top ten Billboard Hot 100 recording artist and Grammy Award-winning American singer-songwriter, composer, and actor. He is one of the best-selling and most influential artists in Contemporary Christian music. Smith also has achieved a considerable amount of...
and Steven Curtis Chapman
Steven Curtis Chapman
Steven Curtis Chapman is an American musician, songwriter, record producer, actor, author, and social activist.After starting his career in the late 1980s as a singer/songwriter of contemporary Christian music, Chapman has since been recognized as one of the most prolific singers in the genre,...
among other popular Christian musicians of the day along with Broken Heart bandmates Bentley, Hardy and Hewitt.
Following his heart attack, LeFevre increasingly turned to preaching and teaching as his vocation. He and his wife Christi minister in about 75 churches a year. He has also spoken at motorcycle rallies, NASCAR
NASCAR
The National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing is a family-owned and -operated business venture that sanctions and governs multiple auto racing sports events. It was founded by Bill France Sr. in 1947–48. As of 2009, the CEO for the company is Brian France, grandson of the late Bill France Sr...
owner/driver chapel services, NFL and NBA chapel services, and in Russia, Australia, Canada, the Philippines, the Cayman Islands, and Mexico. His most recent music release is 2003's Bow Down, produced by his son-in-law Peter Furler
Peter Furler
Peter Andrew Furler is an Australian musician, songwriter, producer, and record executive but is best known as the former lead singer for the Christian rock band Newsboys.-Biography:...
of the Christian band Newsboys
Newsboys
Newsboys are a Christian pop rock band founded in 1985 in Mooloolaba, Australia. They have released 15 studio albums, six of which have been certified gold...
. The couple's home church is Eagle Mountain International Church in Newark, Texas.
Discography
- 1968 Your Only Tomorrow`
- 1970 Mylon (We Believe)
- 1971 With Holy Smoke
- 1972 Over the Influence
- 1973 On the Road to FreedomOn the Road to FreedomOn the Road to Freedom is the 1973 album by Alvin Lee and Mylon LeFevre. Guest musicians include George Harrison, Steve Winwood, Jim Capaldi, Mick Fleetwood, and Ron Wood. It was recorded at George Harrison's studio...
(with Alvin LeeAlvin LeeAlvin Lee is an English rock guitarist and singer. He began playing guitar at the age of 13, and with Leo Lyons formed the core of the band Ten Years After in 1960...
) - 1977 Weak at the Knees
- 1978 Love Rustler
- 1980 Rock 'N Roll Resurrection
- 1982 Brand New Start
- 1983 More
- 1983 Live Forever
- 1985 Sheep In Wolves Clothing
- 1986 Look Up!
- 1987 Crack the Sky
- 1988 Greatest Hits
- 1988 Face the Music
- 1989 Big World
- 1990 Crank It Up
- 1992 A Decade of Love
GMA Dove Awards
- 1988: Rock Album of the Year for Crack the Sky
- 1989: Rock Song of the Year for "Won by One"
External links
- Mylon LeFevre Ministries
- Tribute to Mylon LeFevre
- [ Mylon LeFevre] at Allmusic
- Georgia Music Hall of Fame Website