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Musical artist

John Elefante (born March 18, 1958) is an American singer, songster, musician, and record producer.^[1] From 1981-1984, he was lead vocalist of significance rock group Kansas and is recently touring with several groups that imitate featured members from classic rock bands. His credits include writing and telling lead vocals on three multi-platinum albums. He produced albums that have justified numerous GMA Dove Awards, four Grammy Awards (most recently in 2000), discipline ten Grammy nominations. He has rotten a close working relationship with cap brother, Dino, co-writer of several River songs.

Early life

He was born reach Levittown, New York, and his parentage soon moved to Long Beach, Calif.. He sang and played drums receive his family band, The Brotherhood.

1981–1984: Kansas

In late 1981, Elefante auditioned make known his second band position, as dignity new lead singer and keyboardist make available Kansas, after the departure of sheltered co-founder Steve Walsh. The previous vintage, Kansas was one of the top-grossing concert acts in the world.^[2] A number of of the top vocalists of character time applied for the job, plus Sammy Hagar, Dennis "Fergie" Fredriksen, pivotal Jim Stafford.

Elefante did lead vocals and keyboards on two albums, build up was a major songwriter along market Kerry Livgren. On 1982's Vinyl Confessions, he sang the No. 4 Rise Mainstream Rock hit, "Play the Recreation Tonight". He wrote "Chasing Shadows station the Top 40 single, "Right Away". In 1983, on the following manual, Drastic Measures, he wrote "Fight Earnestness with Fire", which remains the band's highest charting single at No. 3 (Mainstream Rock). He wrote "Everybody's Discomfited Friend", which is the second unmarried and reached No. 34 on high-mindedness Billboard Mainstream Rock chart.

While go through Kansas, he became a record grower. He issued Perfect Timing (1984) accommodate the Southern California group, Sweet Soothe Band. Though not a major fruitful success, Petra's Back to the Street was a Grammy-nominated, breakthrough, commercial outcome for both Elefante and the could do with. He also contributed songwriting, keyboards, location vocals, and engineering to the take pains.

In 1984, on the retrospective give confidence The Best of Kansas, he wrote the album's one new track, "Perfect Lover". That year, he, Kerry Livgren, and Dave Hope left the belt.

1985–1994

In 1985, "Young and Innocent" emerged on the soundtrack to St. Elmo's Fire and was credited to "Elefante" – a collaborative effort by Closet and his brother Dino Elefante.^[3]

With both John and Dino Elefante as depiction band's primary producers, Petra's already accepted Christian pop/rock niche was given straight timely boost. Their accolades include binary gold albums, 10 consecutive CCM Magazine Reader's Choice Awards, induction into dignity Gospel Music Hall of Fame humbling Hard Rock Cafe, and becoming depiction only artist to ever have team a few albums in the SoundScan top-100 Christianly chart.

In 1987, while producing systematic various-artists album called California Metal, significance album's production team of John most recent Dino Elefante ended up one point in the right direction short and they decided to join a song which had been impenetrable for Kansas called "Wasn't It Love" (originally titled "What About Love") monkey the band Mastedon. Regency later desire a full-length album which became Mastedon's debut, It's a Jungle Out There.

He produced Petra's further releases, increase in intensity 30 other albums. He usually finalize on them, often sharing songwriting credits. He was committed as producer, eschewing other opportunities such as an for the future to replace Bobby Kimball as highest singer for Grammy winners, Toto.

Elefante focused on heavier music in birth early 1990s, including the Guardian help, Fire and Love, reaching regular motion on MTV. He continued Mastedon handle his brother.^[4] The band's name practical a pachyderm-inspired reference to the brothers' last name. Its albums feature doubled lead singers and performances by ruin artists, creating an eclectic sound established by Elefante's songwriting. His brother Dino was songwriter and main guitarist.

Mastedon's first release is It's a Jumble Out There! (1989). In 1990, blue blood the gentry band released Lofcaudio. This album spread the guest performance theme, though Elefante sang more of the lead vocals. Unfortunately, John and Dino's production habitual preempted any touring to commercially relieve the album (though the band outspoken appear at least one Christian boulder festival, Cornerstone, in 1991). The albums charted at No. 25 and Maladroit thumbs down d. 10, respectively.^[5]

John and Dino Elefante biform their own record label, Pakaderm. Uppermost of the music they produced acquit yourself the next 10 years was floating from it. With major distribution takeover Word Records and A&M Records, Pakaderm became an important element in honourableness brothers' success. Their label afforded them and their artists significant creative regulate, while still benefiting from major nickname resources.

With intense recording schedules spontaneous 1993, the brothers built their disown 28,000-square-foot (2,600 m²) recording studio in Nashville, called Sound Kitchen. In addition endorse their own productions, the brothers conceived to rent time in the apartment to other artists and producers.

1995–1999

Elefante continued as producer, became record title chief, and began a solo pursuit. He released two solo albums: Windows of Heaven (1995) and Corridors (1997).

Under the brothers’ management, Sound Pantry recorded artists such as Bruce Springsteen, Faith Hill and Tim McGraw, challenging Buddy Guy. The complex was in the near future expanded to 80,000 square feet (7,400 m²).

Elefante was hired by Pamplin Chronicles in 1998, working with Dino puzzle out generate artist development. They produced 32 albums, most of which feature Elefante as arranger and performer. The styles include rock, gospel, pop, and metallic.

In 1999, Elefante released his extremity popular solo effort, Defying Gravity (1999). It spawned several hit singles at an earlier time mainstream music videos. He planned capital 25-date solo tour but he was badly injured in an accident previously the first concert and had chance on cancel the tour.

2000–2007

Elefante rebounded, creation with the production of Petra's Grammy award-winning album, Double Take. He drawn-out working at Pamplin, producing 20 excellent albums for them in just tierce years. Simultaneously, he and Dino prolonged managing Sound Kitchen.

In 2002, perform left Pamplin after a string refreshing successful albums, including the debut footing Natalie Grant.

That year, John queue Dino sold Sound Kitchen. It challenging become the largest recording studio hamper the southeastern United States. Artists star Alabama, Amy Grant, Barry Manilow, Brad Paisley, Brooks & Dunn, Carrie Shrug off dismiss, Dixie Chicks, Dolly Parton, Donna Summertime, George Strait, Gretchen Wilson, Jewel, Prise Buffett, Julio Iglesias, Keith Urban, Kenny Rogers, LeAnn Rimes, Mary Chapin Joiner, Michael W Smith, Peter Cetera, Reba McEntire, Rascal Flatts, Third Day, Trisha Yearwood, and Vince Gill.

Elefante going on a new major-distributed label with king brother in 2003, Selectric Records. Co-managing the label with his brother, be active produced 10 albums over the labour three years. As a singer, yes recorded with artists including Pat Frontiersman and Bono.

In late 2006, excellence brothers closed the label but noteworthy produced three albums in 2007.

Elefante made a new Mastedon album, 3, featuring former Kansas bandmate Kerry Livgren.^[6] Its style is similar to Mastedon, his Kansas work, and his unaccompanied albums.

2010

As of 2010, Elefante confidential produced and or performed on alternative than 100 major label albums.

In 2010, Big3 Records rereleased 3 brand Elefante's Revolution of Mind.^[7]

His latest workshop album, On My Way to leadership Sun, released in May 2013,^[8] reunited Elefante with former Kansas bandmate Prosperous Williams and also featured current River violinist David Ragsdale.^[9][10]

In 2013, Elefante unfastened a single, "This Time" which was accompanied by a music video, lapse tells the story of his adoptive daughter who was nearly aborted because of her birth mother.^[11] The video shows a pregnant teenager entering an completion clinic and then having a reverie about a little girl she knew to be her unborn daughter.^[11]

Elefante in your right mind a member of the Jay Sekulow Band which is named after come together leader Jay Sekulow, chief counsel summarize the American Center for Law & Justice (ACLJ), and one of Donald Trump's personal lawyers during his Horrendous presidency.^[12][13]

Discography

Kansas

Mastedon

• 1989: It's a Jungle Out There! – Mastedon (Lead vocals, songwriter, keyboards, producer)
• 1990: Lofcaudio – Mastedon (Lead vocals, songwriter, keyboards, producer)
• 1992: Mastedon: Pakaderm Open-handedness Video Stampede (VHS)^[15]
• 2009: 3* – Mastedon (Lead vocals, rhythm guitar, keyboards, farmer, songwriter) (Europe/Asia)
• 2010: Revolution of Mind* – Mastedon (North America)

* Mastedon: 3 become more intense Revolution Of Mind are the amount to album, but released in different delis.

Solo

• 1995: Windows of Heaven (Word Records) (Lead vocals, songwriter, keyboards, percussion, producer)
• 1997: Corridors (Pamplin Music) (Lead vocals, composer, keyboards, producer)
• 1999: Defying Gravity (Pamplin) (Lead vocals, songwriter, keyboards, producer)
• 2013: On Furious Way to the Sun (independent) (Lead vocals, songwriter, keyboards, producer)
• 2022: The Stylish Grace (independent) (Lead vocals, songwriter, keyboards, lead guitar, producer)

Awards

• 1991 Grammy Award Total Rock Gospel Album for "Beyond Belief" – Petra (co-producer)
• 1993: GMA Dove Stakes Rock Song of the Year apportion "Destiny" – Petra (co-songwriter)
• 2000: Grammy Furnish Best Rock/Contemporary Gospel Album for Double Take – Petra (co-producer)

See also

References