Mylon LeFevre (October 6, 1944-September 8, 2023)
Biography
Mylon LeFevre was born in Gulfport, Mississippi and grew up performing with his family's group the LeFevres which was managed by his parents, Urias and Eva Mae LeFevre.
He entered the United States Army at the age of 17. It was there that he wrote his first song, "Without Him." Sometime later while still stationed at Fort Jackson, South Carolina, Mylon hitchhiked to Memphis, Tennessee to perform the song with his family at the National Quartet Convention. Several groups heard the song and recorded it a short time later.
By 1964, Mylon had joined the Stamps Quartet. This was during the time the group was owned by JD Sumner & James Blackwood, but before Sumner had started touring with the group. It was during this stint with the Stamps that Mylon first recorded "Without Him" on their album by the same title released in 1964. That same year, Mylon also released his first solo album titled New Found Joy.
Elvis Presley also heard "Without Him" and would eventually record it on his 1967 album How Great Thou Art. As soon as Presley's album released, many other artists recorded the song as well. Mylon LeFevre has stated the first royalty check was in excess of $90,000.
When JD Sumner began touring with the Stamps in 1965, he brought in Jimmy Blackwood to sing baritone. Mylon rejoined the group a year or so later to play bass guitar. He appears on the covers of the following Stamps albums: Colorful (1967), Best Of The Stamps (1968), Music, Music, Music (1968), and J. D. Sumner Presents Gospel Music's No. 1 Band (1968).
After leaving the Stamps for a second time, Mylon LeFevre turned his sights toward a different style of music. Mylon/We Believe was released in 1969 on the Cotillion label. This recording is considered to be the second Christian rock recording ever made, the first being Larry Norman’s Upon This Rock which was released earlier that same year. The core members of Mylon’s 1969 band became members of the Atlanta Rhythm Section in 1970.
During the 1970s, Mylon chased the dream of a secular rock music career, recording for Columbia Records. He ultimately hit bottom in 1979 and found redemption in Christ. After being delivered from drug addiction, he returned to perform Christian contemporary music in the 1980s with his group Broken Heart. After Broken Heart disbanded in the early 1990s, he continued to record as a solo artist.
Later in life, Mylon focused on preaching and teaching more than singing. His daughter, Summer, married record producer and former Newsboys member Peter Furler.
Awards
GMA Hall Of Fame (2005)
Discography (includes albums with Broken Heart band)
1964 New Found Joy (Skylite Records/6317): Walking My Lord Up Calvary's Hill; My Only Hope; So Glad; Keep Me; A Friend Is Jesus; The Angels Must Have Cried; I'll Be So Happy There; Tormented Window; It Must Be The Man In The Sky; Jesus Is The Only One For Me. (Reissued in 1968 as Your Only Tomorrow with two additional songs, Close To The Master and Your Only Tomorrow on Sing Records/3215).
1969 Mylon/We Believe (Cotillion Records/Atlantic Records): The Old Gospel Ship; Sunday School Blues; Who Knows; Sweet Peace Within; You're Still On His Mind; Trying To Be Free; Searching For Reality; Pleasing Who, Pleases You; Contemplation; Hitch Hike; Peace Begins Within; The Only Thing That's Free.
hi-res
1971 With Holy Smoke (Columbia Records/CA 30185): Wonderin';, Baby, I'm Down; Silver Paper; Railroad Angels; Mountain Home; Holy Smoke Doo Dah Band; Why You Been Gone So Long?; Pool Shooter; Sixteen Tons; Angel Band.
hi-res
1972 Over the Influence (Columbia Records/KC 31472): Mama, You Been On My Mind; Blue Suede Shoes; Down By the Riverside; My Lady; Kickin'; Working On a Building; I Am What I Am; I'll Fly Away; I'm Flying #1 (For Free); He's Not Just a Soldier; For the Record; Waymaker.
hi-res
1973 On the Road to Freedom (w/ Alvin Lee) (Chrysalis/CHR 1054 / Columbia CA 32729): On the Road to Freedom; The World Is Changing; So Sad (No Love of His Own); Fallen Angel; Funny; We Will Shine; Carry My Load; Lay Me Back; Let 'Em Say What They Will; I Can't Take It; Riffin'; Rockin' Till the Sun Goes Down.
hi-res
1977 Weak At the Knees (Warner Brothers Records/BS 3070): Goodbye Miss Sadness; Let's Get Together; Second Hand Lady; Country John; Banjo Boy; All My Love; Love As One; Basic Lady; Girl From the North Country; Understand It; Old Ship of Zion.
hi-res
1978 Love Rustler (Warner Brothers Records/BSK 3216): Keep the Fire Burning; Someone Whispered; Make Room for My Dream; Another Slant; Find Out What's Happening; Lacy Lover; White Rocket; Rowena; Better Come Back; The Same Man.
hi-res
1980 Rock 'N Roll Resurrection (Mercury Records/SRM 1-3799): Let It Flow; Shake; Prisoner; Life Saver; Baby Don't Hold Back Now; Dance the Night Away; Sunlight; I Keep On Loving You; Work to Do; Declaration of Love.
hi-res
1982 Brand New Start (MCA Songbird Records/MCA-5676): Stranger to Danger; Child of the Father; You Comfort Me; Waitin' On Heaven; Broken Heart; The Light; Our Desire; To Be Real; Inner Mission / Brand New Start.
hi-res
1983 More (Myrrh Records/MSB 6753/7016754611): Givers and Takers; The Power; It's Almost Over; Coming Back Again; Free Man; My Heart Belongs to Him; More (Of Jesus); Children of the King; Praise Hymn; The Gift.
hi-res
1983 Live Forever (Myrrh Records/7-01-6758-06-0): Introduction; Jesus Is a Waymaker; It's Alright; Free Rap; Freedom; Relationships Rap; Workin' On a Building; Jesus Is the Rock; Jesus Loves Me; The Invitation; Coming Back Again.
hi-res
1985 Sheep In Wolves Clothing (Myrrh Records/7-01-6790-61-4): Crucible of Love; He Is Strong; I Will Rejoice; Love Lasts Forever; Morning Star; Gospel Ship; So Help Me God; Trains Up In the Sky; The Warrior.
hi-res
1986 Look Up! (CBS Associated Records/BZT 40334): It's Alright With Me; Love Is All You Need; Peace Begins Within; San Francisco; I Wish I Hadn't; The Gunfighter; Heart of Iron; Saturday Night; Got to Get Used to It.
hi-res
1987 Crack The Sky (Myrrh Records/7-01-684106-5): Crack the Sky; Love God, Hate Sin; Closer Than a Heartbeat; Give It Up; I Belong; Let Me Be the One; Reach for the Sky; Heart On Fire; For My Growing.
hi-res
1988 Greatest Hits (Myrrh Records/701-6879-615): Free Man; Trains Up In the Sky; Love God, Hate Sin; He Is Strong; Morning Star; Gospel Ship; Freedom; Crack the Sky; My Heart Belongs to Him; For My Growing; I Will Rejoice; The Warrior.
hi-res
1988 Face The Music (Star Song Records/SSD 8099): Won By One; Sixteen; Talk to Me; Modern Man; Mercy Seat; Again and Again; Change; Rock of Safety; Lamb of God.
hi-res
1989 Big World (Star Song Records/SSD 8120): Fan Fare; Big World; Love Comes Down; Falling In Love; Face to Face; Jesus, It's You; Turn the Tables On Me; Remember the Future; Let Love Conquer; The Distance; Movin' On.
hi-res
1990 Crank It Up (Star Song Records/SSD 8145): Crank It Up; Denomination Demolition; New Attitude; Letter From the Front; Give It Away; Shower the People; Dancing In the Light; Heaven; World Changer; Going Home.
hi-res
1992 A Decade of Love (Star Song Records/SSD 8185): More; Again and Again; You Comfort Me; Movin' On; Lamb of God; Give It Away; Secret Place; The Warrior; Stranger to Danger; Morning Star; Inner Mission; Brand New Start; Jesus, It's You; Praise Hymn; The Gift.
hi-res
1992 Faith, Hope & Love (Star Song Records/SSD 8255): Invincible Love; The Name of the Lord; Holy Is the Lord; The Power of Love; Don't Say It's Over; Give Thanks; Closer Than a Friend; Humble Yourself; Masterpeace; Callin' Down Fire; Faithful.
hi-res
2003 Bow Down (Angel Band Music): Dream; Fly; Do Not Be Anxious; Bow Down; You Comfort Me; River In the Desert; Mighty God; I Will Wait; I Sing My Praise to You; Benediction.
hi-res
2007 The Definitive Collection (Word Records/080688708962): Free Man; Trains Up In the Sky; Love God, Hate Sin; More; Morning Star; Gospel Ship; Crack The Sky; My Heart Belongs To Him; For My Growing; The Warrior.
Songwriter's Résumé
(Partial List)
A Friend Is Jesus
Jesus Is The Only One For Me
More Of Jesus
Without Him
You're On His Mind