Greg Laurie Releases New Book "Lennon, Dylan, Alice & Jesus: The Spiritual Biography of Rock and Roll"

By Blessing Harper May 18, 2022 05:29 AM EDT

Greg Laurie, pastor of the Harvest Christian Fellowship churches in California and Hawaii, founder of Harvest Crusades and best-selling author, has just released "Lennon, Dylan, Alice & Jesus : The Spiritual Biography of Rock and Roll," co-authored with Marshall Terrill.

In "Lennon, Dylan, Alice & Jesus," Greg Laurie traces the lives of rockstars, entertainment figures and legends who wallowed in the decadence of both the high life and low life, as they alternately experienced Heaven and Hell on Earth. Readers will enjoy never-before-published accounts of the biggest recording artists of our time and hear testimonies from rockers of the 1950s, 1960s, 1970s, 1980s, 1990s, 2000s and beyond.

Through the lens of America's popular music scene, Greg Laurie examines wretched excess, self-absorption and miraculous redemption; the book is a raw, sensitive, and unforgettable journey of sex, drugs, rock and roll and sweet salvation. He travels with them into their demonic abysses and joyfully recounts their ultimate ascension to their prodigal moments.

"Lennon, Dylan, Alice & Jesus" chronicles the birth of rock and roll in the mid-1950s to today, providing an all-encompassing study of pop music history. Through his personal memories, coupled with his carefully crafted observational research, Greg Laurie not only looks deeply into the hearts and souls of these unusual people but bids the reader to join him on a spiritual journey down the secluded halls of the music industry with the individuals who crafted modern-day masterpieces.

"Would you believe you will see some dreadlocked guy with tattoos on his face who plays death metal singing with the angels in Heaven? A guy with a snake hanging around his neck who beheads mannequins onstage? People who have done so many drugs they didn't even know where or which decade they were in?" writes Greg Laurie. "The story these musicians would tell if they could is not about the mistakes and tragedies of their lives, but about the predictability of a God who loved them with the kind of grace we cannot imagine-a merciful God who welcomed them home ... My prayer is that, regardless of where you are in your own story, the book will be a reminder that this same God is seeking you. Relentlessly. Lovingly."

Each chapter traces the rise, fall and sometimes, the redemption of famous entertainers who were brought to their knees-a great place to look up and finally meet their Maker:

Chapter One: The Gospel Roots of Rock 'n Roll

Chapter Two: More Popular Than Jesus

Chapter Three: 27 Club

Chapter Four: Jesus Christ Superstar

Chapter Five: Another Face of Dylan

Chapter Six: Help Me If You Can, I'm Feeling Down

Chapter Seven: Dazed and Confused ... and Redeemed

Chapter Eight: Alice Unchained

Chapter Nine: From Hair to Eternity

Chapter Ten: Unexpected People in Unexpected Places

Chapter Eleven: Glory Days