• 1985-

  Duncan PhillipsDrums, keyboard1993-

  Jody DavisGuitar1992-2003, 2009-

  Jeff FrankensteinKeyboard1994-

  Michael Tait Vocals2009-2025

  John JamesVocals1986-1997

  Peter FurlerVocals, drums1985-2009

  George PerdikisGuitar1985-1987,1989-1990

  Phil YatesGuitar1987-1989

  Jonathan GeangeGuitar1990-1991, 1992

  Vernon BishopGuitar1991-1992

  Randy WilliamsGuitar2003

  Bryan OlesenGuitar2003-2006

  Paul ColmanGuitar2006-2009

  Sean TaylorBass1986-1992

  Adam AgeeBass2023-

  Phil JoelBass1994-2006
• Newsboys were founded in 1985 in Mooloolaba, Australia. They were originally called The News, but were forced to change their name to avoid confusion with Huey Lewis and the News, who are most famous for the hit single, "The Power of Love."
• Newsboys achieved their first major success in 1994, when they released their fifth album, Going Public. That same year, it was awarded the Dove Award for Rock Album of the Year, while the single, "Shine," was awarded the Dove Award for Rock Recorded Song of the Year, In 2001, Going Public featured in CCM Magazine's 100 Greatest Albums in Christian Music.
• In 1996, Newsboys released their sixth album, Take Me To Your Leader. Album cut, "Reality," was the inspiration behind the direct-to-video feature film, Down Under the Big Top. The comedy follows Newsboys after they inherit a circus that is on the verge of bankruptcy.
• In 1997, Peter Furler, Newsboys' drummer, replaced John James as front man, after James announced that he was leaving the band. Fame had put tension on James' marriage and he had consequently developed alcohol and drug addictions. James told Cross Rhythms his addictions got worse when quit the band: "I'm really ashamed about that. Especially when I left the band. Like I said, there were no restraints once my career with the band came to an end and I confided in the Newsboys and I was forced to step down. Then all restraints were taken away and then the alcohol spiralled out of control, the drug use. I got to the point where I was spending hundreds of dollars supporting a cocaine habit. Really, I just started to lose perspective on life and everything." The church helped to put James, and his marriage, on a road to recovery: "My wife literally saved my life. It takes two to be willing for any restoration and the guts my wife showed and her willingness to forgive and work at our marriage was a gutsy move. That first year and a half was hell on earth - the healing process was very difficult. I'm fortunate that we were surrounded by awesome folks at a great church. They just loved us and took us under their wing. They didn't love us because of who we were or what we could give their church but that we were just a couple that were broken, bleeding, left for dead on the side of the road. It was their love and their mentoring that helped us through this journey. Some days we felt like we were winning. Some days we felt like we were losing. But over that first two years they were able to mentor us and disciple us. Some days they were just an ear to listen, not offering us tons of advice. Sometimes they were just there to cry with us."
• Kevin Mills, Newsboys' former bassist, was killed in a motorbike accident on December 3rd, 2000.
• In 2002, Newsboys released a book about their faith. Shine: Make Them Wonder What You've Got promised readers the chance to "see the Newsboys in a way you have never seen them before - not just as performers but as Christians." In 2005, Newsboys co-authored a book of devotions alongside Pastor Jim Lafoon, called Our Daily Blog. In our interview, Newsboys' drummer, Duncan Phillips, spoke to us about the difficulties of having faith in modern day society: "Being a culture where for the most part people are humanistic, very narcissistic, we don't need God, there is no God, he's dead. Well, this is really a slap in that face...But you know what? Culture might be saying this, but I don't believe that. We don't believe that God is dead. We believe he's very much alive and he's roaring like a lion, seeking out his beloved."
• Newsboys were the subject of the reality show, Mari White Presents The Newsboys. The show offered a behind-the-scenes look into Newsboys' day-to-day lives and was presented by Christian TV host and model, Mari White.
• In 2009, it was announced former DC Talk member, Michael Tait, would be joining Newsboys as lead vocalist. In our interview, Duncan Phillips told us the addition of Tait helped to take the band in a new direction: "I think with Michael, it really gives us an opportunity to explore musical avenues that we may not have done before in the past to looking forward now, the future looks incredibly bright. I really, truly believe that the best is yet to come for Newsboys." Phillips added: "We really feel like we have been born again on so many levels. We feel very rejuvenated. We feel like we were faced with the demise of the band at one point, and we all now have come out the other side of the scene with a new version of Newsboys, and we just have a huge feeling of gratitude that we still get to do what we love to do and still get to do what we're called to do."
• When Michael Tait announced his departure from Newsboys in January 2025, he initially cited spiritual reflection and personal growth as reasons for leaving the group. It later became clear that his exit was precipitated by serious allegations of sexual misconduct and substance abuse, which he later admitted were largely true. "I will simply call it what God calls it – sin," he confessed.

Comments

More Songfacts:

The G.O.A.T.LL Cool J

With his song "The G.O.A.T.," as in Greatest Of All Time, LL Cool J popularized that saying in hip-hop. He credits the boxer Muhammad Ali, who called himself "The Greatest," as inspiration.

Dixie ChickenLittle Feat

The Dixie Chicks got their name from the Little Feat song "Dixie Chicken." In 2020 they became "The Chicks" because Dixie refers to the American South in times of slavery.

She Blinded Me With ScienceThomas Dolby

Thomas Dolby wrote "She Blinded Me With Science" so he could direct the video, which was inspired by silent films and set in a "home for deranged scientists."

We Didn't Start The FireBilly Joel

Billy Joel wrote "We Didn't Start The Fire" after a 21-year-old told him, "everyone knows that nothing happened in the '50s."

Ziggy StardustDavid Bowie

David Bowie's "Ziggy Stardust" was likely based on various musicians in his ambit, including Iggy Pop (zIGGY), and Jimi Hendrix, who played guitar left-handed ("He played it left hand").

RhiannonFleetwood Mac

"Rhiannon" is a Welch goddess. Stevie Nicks wrote the song, and it was a huge influence on her image, inspiring her flowing shawls and black outfits she began wearing on stage.

Editor's Picks

Danny KortchmarSongwriter Interviews

Danny played guitar on Sweet Baby James, Tapestry, and Running On Empty. He also co-wrote many hit songs, including "Dirty Laundry," "Sunset Grill" and "Tender Is The Night."

John Lee HookerSongwriter Interviews

Into the vaults for Bruce Pollock's 1984 conversation with the esteemed bluesman. Hooker talks about transforming a Tony Bennett classic and why you don't have to be sad and lonely to write the blues.

Who Wrote That Song?Music Quiz

Do you know who wrote Patti Smith's biggest hit? How about the Grease theme song? See if you can match the song to the writer.

The Punk Photography of Chris SteinSong Writing

Chris Stein of Blondie shares photos and stories from his book about the New York City punk scene.

Ian Astbury of The CultSongwriter Interviews

The Cult frontman tells who the "Fire Woman" is, and talks about performing with the new version of The Doors.

Donny OsmondSongwriter Interviews

Donny Osmond talks about his biggest hits, his Vegas show, and the fan who taught him to take "Puppy Love" seriously.