And on this Rock I Shall Build My Church

Rock and roll is essentially Christian music, with its roots firmly in gospel. It remains Christian music; you might be surprised how many prominent rockers have publicly outed themselves as Christian. Given the troubles that Dylan got for openly turning Christian in the Seventies, it is remarkable that anyone has dared since. It makes me suspect there are ten more for every one on this list.

Start with three of rock's founders: Elvis Presley, Little Richard, who became an ordained minister, and Johnny Cash. Dion is also a professed Christian.

Both surviving Beatles, Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr, have come out as monotheists, if not specifically Christians.

So—Elvis, Dylan, and the Beatles. Can't get much higher up the rockface than that.

Add Roger (Jim) McGuinn, the leader of the Byrds, the American response to the Beatles. Throw in Eric Clapton, Alice Cooper, Bono and the Edge from U2, and Bob Marley. Richie Furay of Buffalo Springfield has since become a Christian minister. Arlo Guthrie, son of Woody. Roger Daltrey from The Who. Gladys Knight. John Mellencamp. Barry McGuire. Paul Jones of Manfred Mann. Boys II Men; The Backstreet Boys.

In addition, some of the best straight up rock songs ever written have had Christian themes: “Put Your Hand in the Hand,” “Spirit in the Sky,” Dylan's “Gotta Serve Somebody,” Aretha Franklin's “O Happy Day!,” the Byrds' “Jesus is Just All Right” and “Turn! Turn! Turn!.” Boney M's “Rivers of Babylon.” George Harrison's “My Sweet Lord,” though it is not specifically Christian.

The power of rock is almost necessarily religious. If you get the religion right, you're in a sweet space. If you get the religion wrong, you are playing with a power you are not likely to be able to handle.

This list of Christian rockers is mostly a list of survivors.