A Letter to Readers,
Three years have passed since I published Genesis of a Genre: The Birth of Christian Rock. During that time, I became increasingly convinced that portions of the story needed to be reconsidered—not because the history had changed, but because my understanding of how best to tell it had.
For that reason, Genesis of a Genre is being withdrawn from publication and replaced by: The Birth of Christian Rock and the Story of Agape.
This is more than a new printing or lightly revised edition. Portions of the earlier book have been removed, others extensively rewritten and the organization, chapter titles, artwork, emphasis and conclusions reconsidered.
My purpose remains the same: to preserve the remarkable story of the people, music, faith, friendships and circumstances surrounding the birth of Christian rock—and especially the story of Agape.
The transition is expected to be complete by January 1, 2027, although copies or listings of Genesis of a Genre may continue to appear online while existing inventory and publishing records are cleared.
To those who purchased, read, encouraged, questioned or responded to the original book, I am deeply grateful.
I believe this new book tells the story with greater perspective, greater care and a better understanding of the responsibility that comes with writing about the lives of others.
Joe Markko
Author
The Birth of Christian Rock and the Story of Agape
Home Before Midnight Publishing
