The above quote is an appropriate opening for the Second Annual Stryper Expo. Appropriate because Stryper’s music and the impact it had and continues to have on millions of fans around the world still exists. Stryper was the first Christian band to break through the music industry's barriers that held back bands with this type of message for many years. Perhaps more importantly, the band allowed young people to relate to a positive message through the vehicle of Heavy Metal. Stryper unequivocally paved the way for Christian artists. These Expos are a celebration of the band's existence, the music they have created and continue to create, as well as a forum to support and promote the band members' new projects as well as other bands with a similar type of message.

Originally known as "Roxx Regime" for a short period in the early eighties, Stryper was formed in Orange County, California, in 1983. With their fan base growing at a rapid pace, they were signed by Bill & Wesley Hein of Enigma, an independent label, in 1984. The band comprised of Michael Sweet, lead singer, songwriter and guitarist; Oz Fox, lead guitar and vocals; Robert Sweet, drums; and Timothy Gaines (formerly from Stormer), bass, keyboards and vocals.

"The Yellow and Black Attack," a mini album, was their first recording and received astonishing respose. Next was "Soldiers Under Command," which went gold and reached #84 on the charts. Enigma remixed the "Yellow & Black Attack" and added 2 songs in 1986. The new version hit #103 and eventually went gold. Their next album, most people would agree, was when the band was at the peak of their career. "To Hell With The Devil" was released in 1986. The album went gold in February of 1987 and earned the band a Grammy nomination.  The song "Free" quickly became the #1 most requested song on MTV, followed by the top 40 charting ballad "Honestly." Eleven months later it would go platinum. They also had several videos that were gold and platinum. They continued their success with the release of another gold album, "In God We Trust" in 1988.

Each decade brings with it music that is indicative and reflective of that time.  The eighties were a time when the economy was booming.  The real estate and stock markets were at all-time highs.  It was a time of lavish spending, excessiveness, Donald Trump and hair bands.  Glamour Bands like Poison, Bon Jovi and Motley Crue ruled the airwaves.  The party did end however.  In the late eighties we saw the stock market crash, with junk bonds living up to their name.  The real estate market bottomed out, almost overnight.  Poor Donald and Ivana went splitsville.  The country was headed for a recession.

The new decade started with the recession, Mike Tyson loses his heavyweight title to a 42-to-1 underdog named Buster Douglas, and, a few months later, the gulf war begins.  The reason for this brief economic history lesson is to put into context the last two albums by Stryper.  The new decade also ushered in a new sound.  Grunge all but snuffed the life out of every glamour band in terms of commercial success.  It was bands like Nirvana, singing in flannel shirts with morose lyrics, that was the craze.  Stryper released "Against the Law" in 1990.  The band changed its polished image and sound for a harder look, leaving some fans confused.  The album, which had great material, did not fare too well.  Their last album was a Greatest Hits collection called "Can’t Stop the Rock: in 1991.  Later that year, Michael Sweet left Stryper to pursue a solo career, a move that would eventually lead to the breakup of the band. Stryper continued on for two more years in Europe.  They toured as a three piece outfit with Oz handling the lead vocals as well as guitars. Stryper officially disbanded in 1992.

The band made history yet again when all four original members got together last year for the First Annual Stryper Expo, the website for which is archived here. It was a consequential and joyous weekend to say the least. Fans flew into New Jersey to witness the event from all corners of the world. We had fans from not only all over the U.S. and Puerto Rico but Canada, Venezuela, Argentina, Sweden and Australia.