Resurrection Band

The Resurrection Band was an American Christian hard-rock unit that self-released two cassette albums circa 1973/74, followed by the 1978/79 Star Song albums Awaiting Your Reply and Rainbow’s End. They reappeared on Light Records with the 1980–82 albums Colours, Mommy Don’t Love Daddy Anymore, and D.M.Z., then renamed as Rez Band for the 1984/85 Sparrow titles Hostage! and Between Heaven ‘n Hell.

Members: Glenn Kaiser (vocals, guitar, dulcimer, harmonica), Wendi Kaiser (vocals), Stu Heiss (guitar, keyboards), Jim Denton (bass guitar, keyboards, 1974-87), Roy Montroy (bass guitar, keyboards, 1987-2000), John Herrin (drums)

Background

Resurrection Band originated in Milwaukee in late 1971 as Charity, a rock group associated with the Jesus People Milwaukee ministry. Singer-guitarist Glenn Kaiser and singer Wendi Herrin formed the vocal partnership with drummer John Herrin, the younger brother of Wendi.

Glenn Kaiser grew up in Milwaukee and played in more than a dozen local bands from age twelve. He joined Jesus People Milwaukee in September 1971 and met Wendi, whom he married the following June. The ministry, founded by evangelist Jim Palosaari, had grown into a communal organization with several touring units. Charity adopted the Resurrection Band name in spring 1972 and joined the Jesus People USA Traveling Team under pastor John Herrin Sr. The musicians left Milwaukee that June and traveled through the Midwest and Florida before the community settled in Chicago during 1973.

Resurrection Band played schools, prisons, street corners, and church gatherings with a repertoire of Christian rock and blues. They also maintained an acoustic set for nursing homes and conservative congregations. Requests for recordings prompted the musicians to contact Gary Rotta, who operated a basement studio in Chicago. In March 1974, they used his four-track Teac recorder for the acoustic cassette All Your Life and the electric Music to Raise the Dead. The latter featured Kaiser and Wendi on vocals, with bassist Jim Denton, drummer Herrin, and harmonica player Tom Cameron. The band distributed both tapes at concerts.

Guitarist-keyboardist Stu Heiss joined the group and appeared on a further set of demos circa 1976, which included an early version of “Broken Promises.” The expanded lineup continued to tour while members lived and worked within the Jesus People USA community.

In 1978, a couple from the congregation advanced $8,000 for a professional album. Resurrection Band booked two weeks of overnight sessions at Hedden West Studios in Schaumburg, Illinois, where Heiss shared engineering duties with Mal Davis. Kaiser approached Christian labels in the US, Canada, and Britain with the completed master, but the companies declined the project. Secular labels expressed interest on condition of revised lyrics. Texas-based Star Song Records accepted the finished recording and issued the debut Awaiting Your Reply.

Discography:

• All Your Life (cassette, 1973)
• Music to Raise the Dead (cassette, 1974)
• Awaiting Your Reply (1978)
• Rainbow’s End (1979)
• Colours (1980)
• Mommy Don’t Love Daddy Anymore (1981)
• D.M.Z. (1982)
• Hostage! (1984 • Rez Band)
• Between Heaven ‘n Hell (1985 • Rez)
• Silence Screams (1988 • Rez)
• Innocent Blood (1989 • Rez)

References and notes

• Christian Music Archive — Glenn Kaiser. Documents his Milwaukee bands, 1971 conversion, marriage to Wendi Herrin, and early Charity history. (Biography)
• Encyclopedia.com — Jesus People USA. Establishes the Milwaukee origins, June 1972 traveling ministry, and subsequent Chicago settlement. (Community history)
• Christian History — Longhairs for Jesus. Documents the traveling ministry, school-bus outreach, regional performances, and Chicago relocation. (Historical account)
• Cross Rhythms — August 1, 1993. Glenn Kaiser recalls the March 1974 basement sessions and demand for concert recordings. (Interview and history)
• Real 80s CCM — Music to Raise the Dead (1974). Cassette credits establish the early lineup before Stu Heiss joined. (Cassette documentation)
• Real 80s CCM — The Demos (1976). Identifies Heiss on guitar and piano and an early recording of “Broken Promises.” (Demo credits)
• Cross Rhythms — April 7, 2010. Kaiser details the $8,000 financing, overnight sessions, unsuccessful label approaches, and Star Song agreement. (Interview)
• Christian Music Archive — Awaiting Your Reply (1978). Original credits confirm the Star Song release, instrumental personnel, and Heiss–Davis engineering. (Album credits)