- Mylon LeFevre
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Mylon R. LeFevre Born October 6, 1944
Gulfport, Mississippi, United StatesGenres Southern gospel, rock and roll, southern rock, contemporary Christian Instruments Vocals, guitar Years active 1966–present Website http://www.mylon.org/bio/index.php Mylon LeFevre (born October 6, 1944) 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.
Contents
Biography
Early years
Born (in Gulfport, Mississippi)[1] 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.[2] 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.[3] 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.[4][5] 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.[2]
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[6]
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.[3] 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.[7]
1970s through the Early 1980s
In 1970, Mylon signed with Columbia Records, 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,[8] 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 .[9] In 1974, he appeared as a fill-in vocalist on several tracks for The Atlanta Rhythm Section's album Third Annual Pipe Dream.[10]
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.[2]
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.[3]
The Broken Heart Era
Mylon quit secular rock and returned to his home church at Mt. Paran Church of God, 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.[3] 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.[11], 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."[12] 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.[13] That same year, they received a Grammy for Best Gospel Performance by a Duo, Group, Choir, or Chorus.[14]
About this period (1982–1991), LeFevre said, "I was a Christian musician who preached a little, worshiped a little, and rocked a lot."[15] 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[2]—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 Carman, 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.[16]
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.[17][18]
Discography
Main article: Mylon LeFevre discography- 1968 Your Only Tomorrow`
- 1970 Mylon (We Believe)
- 1971 With Holy Smoke
- 1972 Over the Influence
- 1973 On the Road to Freedom (with Alvin Lee)
- 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
Awards
Grammy
- 1987: Best Gospel Performance by a Duo or Group, Choir or Chorus for Crack the Sky
GMA Dove Awards
- 1988: Rock Album of the Year for Crack the Sky
- 1989: Rock Song of the Year for "Won by One"
References
- ^ http://www.newreleasetuesday.com/artistdetail.php?artist_id=1180 Mylon LeFevre and Broken Heart biography at NewReleaseTueday.com, 1st paragraph. Retrieved on 2009-05-19.
- ^ a b c d Oord, Bill. "Mylon LeFevre Biography". http://www.tributetomylon.com/biography.htm. Retrieved 27 June 2010.
- ^ a b c d "Without Him". Believer's Voice of Victory: 14–17. April 2008. http://www.kcm.org.za/downloads/509c6697a9.pdf. Retrieved 28 June 2010.
- ^ Moscheo, Joe, The Gospel Side of Elvis, New York, Hachette Book Group, USA, p.105 (2007)
- ^ http://www.cbn.com/cbnmusic/artists/LeFevre_mylon.aspx CBNmusic.com, Artists A-Z. Retrieved on 2009-05-19.
- ^ http://www.christianmusicarchive.com/album_credits.php?id=3412 Christian Music Archive page for Mylon. Retrieved on 2009-05-19.
- ^ Collins, Ace, Turn Your Radio On, The Stories Behind Gospel Music's All-time Greatest Songs, Grand Rapids, MI, Zondervan, (1999), p. 62.
- ^ Brant, Marly, Freebirds: The Lynyrd Skynyrd Story, New York, Watson-Guptill Publications, (2002) p. 76
- ^ Rhodes, Paul 2008 The Rise, Fall and Rise of Mylon LeFevre, http://www.wnew.com/2008/11/the-rise-fall-a.html, Retrieved on 2009-05-19
- ^ http://www.artistdirect.com/nad/store/artist/album/0,,3120011,00.html Third Annual Pipe Dream recording credits listed at Artists Direct. Retrieved on 2009-05-19.
- ^ http://www.christianmusicarchive.com/artist.php?id=230 Christian Music Archive. Retrieved on 2009-05-19.
- ^ http://www.christianmusicarchive.com/album_credits.php?id=1138 Christian Music Archive page for Look Up!. Retrieved on 2009-05-19.
- ^ http://www.grammy.com/GRAMMY_Awards/Winners/ Search performed on Past Winners Search page of Grammy.com,accessed 5/19/2009.
- ^ See,Grammy.com, Official Site of the Recording Academy, Award Winners, found online at, http://www.grammy.com/GRAMMY_Awards/Winners/Results.aspx?title=&winner=mylon%20lefevre&year=0&genreID=0&hp=1, see also, http://www.infoplease.com/ipa/A0150607.html
- ^ See, Mylon LeFevre and Broken Heart Artist Profile, found online at http://www.newreleasetuesday.com/artistdetail.php?artist_id=1180
- ^ http://www.christianmusicarchive.com/album_credits.php?id=1150 Christian Music Archive page for Faith Hope and Love. Retrieved on 2009-05-19.
- ^ http://www.mylon.org/news/index.php Mylon LeFevre Ministries homepage, section "Mylon was Inducted into the Gospel Music Hall of Fame". Retrieved 2009-05-19.
- ^ http://www.emic.org/ Eagle Mountain International Church homepage. Retrieved on 2009-05-19.
External links
Categories:- 1944 births
- American people of French descent
- American gospel singers
- Grammy Award winners
- Living people
- People from Gulfport, Mississippi
- Musicians from Mississippi
- Georgia Music Hall of Fame inductees
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