All Saved Freak Band
| Company type | Independent |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1968 in Orwell, Ohio, United States |
| Founder | Joe Markko, Larry Hill |
| Defunct | 1978–79 |
| Headquarters | Orwell, Ohio , United States |
| Products | Contemporary Christian music albums |
Number of employees | 12 (band members) |
| Website | www |
The All Saved Freak Band played a foundational role in shaping the Contemporary Christian Music movement within the Rock and Roll genre. Their initial recordings were first aired on WREO radio in Ashtabula County, Ohio during the autumn of 1968, positioning them alongside early "Jesus music" pioneers such as Larry Norman and Agape.
Comprising twelve members, ASFB was distinguished by its unique fusion of blues elements with orchestral string arrangements. Over their career, they released four albums that have since become seminal works in the early Jesus music scene. Although major labels like RCA and Columbia showed interest, the band chose to remain independent to preserve their artistic freedom.
Brief history
Originating from a Christian communal living arrangement near Orwell, Ohio, ASFB was co-founded by Joe Markko and Larry Hill. The lineup featured musicians including Mike Berkey, Ed Durkos, Tom Eritano, Tim Hill, Morgan King, Norris McClure, Carole King, Randy Markko, Kim and Pam Massman, Tom Miller, and guitarist Glenn Schwartz. Schwartz brought experience from his tenure as lead guitarist with the James Gang and Pacific Gas & Electric, known for their 1969 hit "Are You Ready?" Temporary fill-ins for guitar and drums included Phil Keaggy of Glass Harp and Val Fuentes from It's a Beautiful Day.
Tragically, before their debut album was released, three members—Brett Hill (Larry’s son), Randy Markko (Joe’s brother), and Tom Miller—lost their lives in car accidents while traveling to performances. Notably, Miller had gained attention through a Life magazine feature about his participation in the Kent State protests. Their first album, My Poor Generation (1973), composed between 1968 and 1972 and dedicated to Randy Markko and Tom Miller, melded baroque chamber folk with blues rock influences.
Their sophomore effort, For Christians, Elves and Lovers (1976), combined evangelical themes with millennialist ideas and drew inspiration from J.R.R. Tolkien’s fantasy universe; a copy is preserved within Marquette University’s Tolkien Collection. Lauded for its eclectic style across fourteen tracks, this album is regarded as a classic within the Jesus music genre.
In early 1973, co-founder Joe Markko endured severe electrocution injuries involving 27,000 volts but returned to contribute musically after recovery. To maintain performance continuity during his absence, rhythm guitarist Ed Durkos learned Markko’s parts.
In February 1975, concerns about the communal farm’s environment prompted lead guitarist Glenn Schwartz to undergo an unsuccessful three-day "deprogramming" attempt by cult intervention specialist Ted Patrick. Following this episode, ASFB released their third album Brainwashed, noted for its intense psychrock soundscapes; it achieved a #4 ranking on the list of "Top 50 Collectible Jesus Music Albums of all Time."
Their fourth release, Sower (1980), reflected Larry Hill’s apocalyptic visions but featured only Hill alongside Kim and Pam Massman from the original roster. This album showcased a more refined musical approach paired with deeper lyrical content.
ASFB recorded at Cleveland Recording studio alongside prominent Great Lakes rock bands such as The Outsiders, Wild Cherry, The Lemon Pipers, The Human Beinz, Grand Funk Railroad, and the James Gang. Engineer Ken Hamann collaborated with Nashville producer Rob Galbraith on all ASFB productions after meeting the group during a 1971 Nashville tour.
Functioning independently through self-production and distribution channels, ASFB’s music was broadcast on hundreds of radio stations spanning over fourteen countries before disbanding in the winter of 1978–79. Their ministry extended beyond recordings to include street outreach and ecumenical concerts over more than ten years. Internal strife involving leadership disputes and legally prosecuted child abuse allegations within their home church precipitated the group's breakup. Remaining members Larry Hill, Ed Durkos, and the Massmann sisters attempted to sustain the band until 1980 but ultimately ceased activity following the departures of Joe Markko and Glenn Schwartz.
In 2006, former members successfully regained rights to ASFB’s catalog through legal proceedings. They subsequently released the compilation Harps On Willows, which was recognized by Cross Rhythms Magazine among the Top 20 CD Releases of that year alongside artists such as Bob Dylan and Switchfoot. Critics praised the collection for its blues-inflected rock sound led by Glenn Schwartz’s guitar work combined with straightforward gospel themes that resonated effectively with audiences.
The Emmy-nominated documentary Lonnie Frisbee: Life and Death of a Hippie Preacher (2006), directed by David Di Sabatino, features two ASFB tracks ("Sower" and "My Poor Generation") along with "Ode To Glenn Schwartz" on its soundtrack.
Ministry
The All Saved Freak Band embarked on extensive tours throughout eastern North America and Canada. Their invitation to New Orleans included performances at Mayor Moon Landrieu's exclusive Mardi Gras reception held at City Hall, as well as shows in Jackson Square. They served as the headline act at the 1976 Summer Olympics' Man and His World pavilion in Montreal. Following their concerts during Fort Lauderdale's "Spring Break," prominent magazines such as Christianity Today and Rolling Stone highlighted the group.
A number of band members held ministerial credentials through the Full Gospel Fellowship of Churches and Ministers International. With a strong focus on evangelism, they prioritized personal outreach during every engagement. Their versatile presentations spanned a wide array of settings including Indian reservations, psychiatric hospitals, correctional facilities, government buildings, expos, migrant worker camps, fairs, churches throughout the eastern United States, military installations, universities, amphitheaters, nursing homes, street corners, and more. The band managed their own record label—originally named Rock the World Enterprises and later rebranded as War Again—operating entirely through self-funding.
Discography
- My Poor Generation, 1973 (Rock The World)
- For Christians, Elves, and Lovers, 1976 (Rock The World)
- Brainwashed, 1976 (Rock The World)
- Sower, 1980 (War Again)
- Harps On Willows: Best of the All Saved Freak Band, 2006 (Hidden Vision)