Early YearsJohn Elefante born March 18, 1958 in Levittown, New York, and his family soon moved to Long Beach, California. Growing up, he sang and performed drums for his family band, The Brotherhood. As an artist, his credits include writing and singing lead vocals on three multi-platinum albums; as producer, his albums have earned numerous Dove Awards, 4 Grammy Awards (most recently in 2000) and 10 Grammy nominations. He has maintained a close working relationship with his brother, Dino, throughout his career.
1981-1985John's international career began in earnest when he auditioned as the new lead singer and keyboardist for super-group, Kansas, in 1981. That year, the band was one of the top-grossing concert acts in the world and John had never been in a band apart from his family. Although several of the top vocalists of the day applied for the job (e.g. Sammy Hagar, Doug Pinnick), John received the part.
John sang the lead vocals and performed keyboards on three (multi) Platinum albums with Kansas. He was also a major songwriting contributor (along with lead guitarist/keyboardist/songwriter Kerry Livgren). On 1982′s Vinyl Confessions, he co-wrote and sang the #4 Billboard Mainstream Rock hit, "Play the Game Tonight". He also wrote the acoustic-based classic "Chasing Shadows", along with the Top 40 single, "Right Away". The next year, on the following album, Drastic Measures, he wrote the early MTV favorite, "Fight Fire with Fire", which remains the band's highest charting single at #3 (Mainstream Rock) as well as a staple of Kansas live shows to this day. John was also responsible for "Everybody’s My Friend", which was released as the second single from the album and reached #34 on the Billboard Mainstream Rock chart.
Around this time the band began to buckle under the increasing strain of maintaining the consistent radio hits and record company commercial expectations. In addition, contemporary pop music was quickly becoming antithetical to the band’s organic, sophisticated aesthetic. A new age of sequenced synthesizers and drum machines confronted Kansas with the near-impossible challenge of maintaining their musical essence and commercial integrity. In 1984, on the retrospective collection The Best of Kansas, John wrote, sang and performed all the instruments with his brother for the album’s one new track, "Perfect Lover". That same year John, Kerry Livgren, and Dave Hope left Kansas.
The end of the Kansas period saw John's faith beginning to take center stage in his songwriting, professing a profound and humble faith. While this constrained him to the emerging Contemporary Christian Music arena, he saw his beliefs are more important than the commercial potential of the mainstream music industry.
1985-1989John discovered another calling while still with Kansas. In 1984, he produced Perfect Timing for ground-breaking Christian artists, Sweet Comfort Band. While not a major commercial success, his next album as producer told a different story, with a Christian band that got its start in 1972. Petra's Back to the Street was a Grammy-nominated, breakthrough commercial success for both John and the band. He also contributed songwriting, keyboards, background vocals and engineering to the effort.
With John and Dino as the band's primary producers, Petra went on to become one of the most popular bands in Christian music. Their accolades include multiple gold and platinum albums, 10 consecutive CCM Magazine Reader’s Choice Awards, induction into the Gospel Music Hall of Fame and Hard Rock Cafe, and the only artist to ever have 4 albums in the SoundScan top-100 Christian chart.
Closing out the decade, John had produced five major label albums, and performed on 12. Over the next five years, John worked at an almost frenetic pace as one of the most in-demand producers in Nashville. In addition to Petra's further releases, he worked as the producer on 30 other albums. He usually performed on the releases as well, often sharing songwriting credits, as well. Elefante was committed to his role as producer, eschewing other opportunities such as an offer to replace Bobby Kimball as lead singer for Grammy winners, Toto.
1990-1994John began focusing on heavier music in the early 1990's. Among many notable albums was the Guardian release, Fire and Love, which produced one of the first Christian songs to receive rotation on MTV. John would see this trend continue, with other Christian bands he produced receiving mainstream audiences. This ground-breaking work, along with others such as Stryper, helped pave the way for a new generation of cross-over contemporary Christian metal artists such UnderOath, As I Lay Dying, and P.O.D..
Elefante also felt the songwriting muse, and formed a new rock band with his brother, Mastedon. The band's name was a pachyderm-inspired reference to the brothers last name. Although John was an accomplished vocalist and performer, the Mastedon albums featured multiple lead singers and performances by other artists, creating an eclectic sound anchored by John's songwriting. His brother Dino played a prominent role, contributing songwriting and handling most of the guitar work.
Mastedon’s first release was titled It's a Jungle Out There! (1989). The title references the challenge of living without a spiritual ally. A year later, the band released Lofcaudio. This album continued the guest performance theme, though John sang more of the lead vocals. Unfortunately, John and Dino’s production schedule preempted any touring to commercially support the album. Even so, the albums charted at #25 and #10, respectively[5]. To this day, they are considered classics in the genre.
John and Dino formed their own record label, Pakaderm. Most of the music they produced on in the next 10 years was released on it. With major distribution through Word Records (Christian market) and A&M Records (mainstream), Pakaderm became an important element in the brothers success. Their label afforded them and their artists significant creative control, while still benefiting from major label resources.
Given their intense recording schedules, John and Dino decided to build their own recording studio in Nashville. They broke ground on the 28,000-square-foot (2,600 m2) Sound Kitchen in 1993. In addition to their own productions, the brothers planned to rent time in the studio to other artists and producers. Nashville certainly had no shortage of excellent recording studios, though, and it remained to be seen if the Kitchen would be booked.
1995-1999Throughout the later half of 1990's, Elefante continued his breakneck pace as producer, and now record label chief. He decided it was also time to begin a solo career. John released two critically acclaimed and commercially successful solo albums: Windows of Heaven (1995) and Corridors (1997). Beginning with "This is What Love Is" (top 5 on Christian radio airplay charts[6]), they received significant radio airplay. Both charted in the Billboard Top Christian Albums chart, and established Elefante as a popular artist in Christian music.
Meanwhile, the Sound Kitchen was taking on a life of its own. Under the brothers management, the studio was quickly establishing itself as one of Nashville's most popular. Artists such as Bruce Springsteen, Faith Hill and Tim McGraw, and Buddy Guy had recorded there. The complex was soon expanded to 80,000 square feet (7,400 m2).
Elefante was hired by Pamplin Records in 1998, working with Dino to generate artist development. This period saw the release of an astounding 32 albums with John at the helm, most of which feature him as arranger and performer, as well. The styles ranged from rock to gospel; pop to metal.
In 1999, Elefante released his most popular solo effort, Defying Gravity (1999). Reaching #11 in the Billboard Christian top-20, it spawned several hit singles and mainstream music videos. John geared up for a 25-date solo tour to promote the album. Tragically, however, he was badly injured in an accident before the first concert, and had to cancel the tour.
2000-2007John rebounded, beginning the new millennium with the production of Petra's Grammy award-winning album, Double Take. He continued at Pamplin, producing 20 more albums for them in just three years. Simultaneously, he and Dino continued their role managing the Sound Kitchen, which continued to grow in size and popularity.
The new year also saw Elefante's schedule becoming too hectic, however. Success was taking away too much time from his family. In 2002, he left Pamplin after a string of successful albums, including the debut for (now) mega-artist Natalie Grant.
The same year, John and Dino sold the Sound Kitchen. It had become the largest recording studio in the Southeastern United States. Artists included Alabama, Amy Grant, Barry Manilow, Brad Paisley, Brooks & Dunn, Carrie Underwood, Dixie Chicks, Dolly Parton, Donna Summer, George Strait, Gretchen Wilson, Jewel, Jimmy Buffett, Julio Iglesias, Keith Urban, Kenny Rogers, LeAnn Rimes, Mary Chapin Carpenter, Michael W Smith, Peter Cetera, Reba McEntire, Rascal Flatts, Third Day, Trisha Yearwood and Vince Gill.
John started a new major-distributed label with his brother in 2003, Selectric Records. Christian distribution was through Provident Label Group; mainstream through Sony BMG. Having their own label again allowed John to set his own pace for production. Along with co-managing the label with his brother, he produced 10 albums over the next three years. As a singer, he recorded with artists ranging from Pat Boone to Bono.
In late 2006, John took this opportunity to consider something he had never done in his career: catch his breath. Even with his reduced schedule, he needed a break. The brothers closed the label, and John could finally take some time away from the industry. This proved more challenging than expected, and despite his best intentions, he served as producer on three albums in 2007.
2009 OnwardAt the dawn of 2009, Elefante has produced and/or performed on more than 100 major label albums. Through his work, he helped transform Christian hard rock from a handful of bands to a mainstream musical genre. The brotherhood had endured, and the two brothers had together achieved considerable artistic and commercial success. Elefante realized, though, that he was still a songwriter at heart. And that the ultimate measure of his career was sharing the joy of his faith; one that moved, sustained, and inspired him.
John has finished a new album, in a contemporary style that also hearkens back to the best of Mastedon, his KANSAS work, and solo albums. Get it here!
