Skillet‘s John Cooper Reflects on His Love for 80s Christian Metal
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Table of Contents
Potential Tour with Stryper Sparks Fan Excitement
In 2021, Stryper frontman Michael Sweet posed a question to his followers on social media, asking if they’d like to see a tour featuring both Stryper and Skillet. The post garnered meaningful interest, with various musicians chiming in. While Queensrÿche’s Todd La Torre expressed hesitance, Fozzy’s Chris Jericho and former Saliva vocalist Josey Scott voiced thier enthusiastic support.Interestingly,this social media discussion came after Skillet and Stryper had already shared the stage at the Rocktember Music Festival in Minnesota.Cooper’s Faith and Music
Over the years, Cooper has been open about his Christian faith, sharing that he “always had faith in god” and attributing his upbringing to a mother he describes as a “Jesus fanatic.” He’s even stated his willingness to risk his career for his beliefs. In 2021, during an interview on the “Undaunted.Life: A Man’s Podcast,” Cooper emphasized that Christians can and should participate in rock music,stating, “I would say that music is created not by the Devil; [it is] created by the Lord. All things were created by God. So instead of thinking that the Devil owns a genre of music, I would say capture that music and bring it back into subjection under the Lordship of Christ.” Both Skillet and Stryper were featured in the 2021 Lionsgate documentary “The Jesus Music,” which explored the history and impact of Christian contemporary music (CCM).## Skillet’s John Cooper Reflects on ’80s Christian Metal and Faith’s Influence on Music
**John Cooper**, frontman of the Grammy-nominated band Skillet, recently reminisced on his formative years immersed in 1980s christian metal.
**Archyde:** John, your passion for ‘80s Christian metal is well known. Could you name a specific band that holds a special place for you from that era?
**John Cooper:** Petra, without a doubt. I consider them the all-time greatest Christian rock band. But honestly,I loved them all. Barren Cross was unbelievable, kind of like a Christian Iron Maiden. Bands like Whitecross, Stryper, Deliverance — I dove headfirst into that whole scene and loved every minute of it.
**Archyde:** It seems like Christian music fans in the ‘80s experienced a unique moment of connection.
**John Cooper:** Absolutely. When you’re into Christian music, you just kind of jump into that world with both feet, and end up loving everything about it.
The possibility of a Skillet and Stryper tour sparked excitement among fans in 2021 after Stryper frontman **Michael Sweet** gauged interest on social media.
**Archyde:** John, you and **Michael Sweet** have hinted at a potential joint tour. How likely is it to materialize?
**John Cooper:** It’s something we’ve discussed, and the fan response has been overwhelmingly positive. We’ve shared the stage before at rocktember Music Festival, so who knows what the future holds?
**Archyde:** You’ve been open about your faith profoundly shaping your music and life. Could you elaborate on that influence?
**John Cooper:** My faith has always been central to who I am. I grew up with a mother who was a devout Christian, a real “Jesus fanatic” as she liked to say. I’ve always believed in God.
**Archyde:** Some people believe certain genres, like rock music, are incompatible with faith.
**John Cooper:**
That’s a misconception. I believe music itself is a gift from God. Instead of thinking the devil owns a genre, we should reclaim it and use it to glorify Him.
**Archyde:** Both Skillet and stryper were featured in the 2021 documentary “The Jesus Music,” exploring the history of Christian music.What was that experience like?
**John Cooper:** It was an honor to be part of a project that shed light on Christian music’s impact. It was a great reminder of the power music has to connect people and share a message of hope.
## John Cooper Reflects on His Love for 80s Christian Metal – An Interview
**Q:** You mentioned loving 80s Christian metal. Who was your favorite band from that era?
**A:** Oh man, it’s hard to pick just one, but Petra would have to be top of the list. They are, in my opinion, the all-time greatest Christian rock band. But I also loved Barren Cross – they were like the Christian Iron Maiden.
**Q:** You also mentioned liking bands like Whitecross, Stryper, and Deliverance. Were you a big part of that whole scene?
**A:** absolutely! when you’re into Christian music, you just kind of jump into that world with both feet, and end up loving everything about it.
**Q:** A potential Skillet and Stryper tour sparked a lot of excitement in 2021 after Stryper’s frontman Michael Sweet teased the possibility on social media. Is that something you see happening?
**A:** It’s definitely something we’ve discussed and the fan response has been overwhelmingly positive. We’ve shared the stage before at the Rocktember Music Festival, so who knows what the future holds?
**Q:** Your faith clearly influences your music. Could you elaborate on how that plays a role in your songwriting and artistry?
**A:** My faith has always been central to who I am. I grew up with a mother who was a devout christian, a real “Jesus fanatic” as she liked to say. I’ve always believed in God.
**Q:** Some people believe that rock music is incompatible with faith.
**A:** I think that’s a misconception. I believe music itself is a gift from God. instead of thinking the devil owns a genre, we should reclaim it and use it to glorify Him.
**Q:** Skillet and Stryper were featured in the 2021 documentary “The Jesus Music.” What was it like being part of a project highlighting the history of Christian music?
**A:** It was an honor to be part of a project that shed light on Christian music’s impact. It was a great reminder of the power music has to connect people and share a message of hope.
