The most well known Christian rock praise and worship band in the world today began as the youth ministry band of a small Pentecostal ministry in Sydney, Australia called Hills Christian Life Centre.  In the late summer of 1983 two native New Zealanders, Brian and Bobbie Houston, renamed the church's house band United Live

Hillsong United - world leaders in praise worship

"A youth band was formed from the Hillsong music team, which took what was happening in the church musically and played it louder and rockier, appealing directly to a youth demographic". Dr. Mark Evans

Christian rockers of every age around the world have enjoyed more than 40 albums produced by the Australian contemporary worship and praise group called Hillsong United since they went international in 1992.

Hillsong – Truly humble beginnings

The most well known Christian rock praise and worship band in the world today began as the youth ministry band of a small Pentecostal ministry in Sydney, Australia called Hills Christian Life Centre.  In the late summer of 1983 two native New Zealanders, Brian and Bobbie Houston, renamed the church's house band United Live after a particularly powerful church summer youth camp. Marty Sampson and Reuben Morgan became the primary singers and songwriters for the band.  Their dynamic music brought young people to the congregation swelling its ranks.  The Hillsong Conference was established in 1986 as an annual gathering to teach and promote all manner of modern Christian musical artists.

While still called United Live songwriters, Geoff Bullock and Darlene Zschech, wrote two particular praise songs, Power of Your Love and Shout to the Lord, respectively that were adopted by churches worldwide and elevated the groups popularity from regional to global in scope.  The first Hillside CD's to go to retail were live recording of the Hillsong Conference youth ministry of 1992.

Global expansion

In 1997 All Things Are Possible was United Lives first album to hit the Christian Music charts and by the end of 1999 the church founders changed the name of their church to Hillsong to strengthen the tie between their highly successful music ministries. Worship minister Darlene Zschech suggested the creation of an album to band leader Reuben Morgan in 1998 and their debut album, Everyday, was recorded live during the Encouterfest youth conference held in October that year. The album which contained music from the established Christian folk singer Brooke Fraser and a wide variety of other musicians was released in early 2000. The live recordings became the formula for the 3 highly successful compilation albums released by the band under the name United Live.

Reuben Morgan left United Live in 2002 to pursue his solo musical career and the group officially changed its name to Hillsong United at that time.  Mainstream recognition came when the 2004 annual live worship album, For All You've Done, reached the number one spot on Australian mainstream music charts.  The tradition of releasing an annual kid’s worship album began that same year as the church began its own Hillside Music Australia label.

Popularity spread to the other hemispheres as the band began to tour internationally and in 2006 their album United We Stand became the top selling Christian album in Canada.  The 2007 release All of the Above received additional international recognition.  This album was Hillsong United's first studio recording.  Since then Hillside Music has released several Christmas albums and in 2008 released part of the bands new 1 Heart Revolution track from their world tours.

As of 2009 Hillsong Music Australia has released more than 40 albums with several going gold on their continent.  People Just Like Us went platinum and their most recent studio release a_CROSS//the_EARTH: Tear Down the Walls has ranked #1 on the Top Christian Albums in 2009.

Current members of Hillsong United include Michelle Fragar, Jonathon Douglass, Annie Garratt, Jadwin and Bec Gilles. Michael Guy Chislett plays lead guitar, Matthew Tennikoff plays bass and Rolf Wam Fjell is their main drummer although many drummers have played on various albums.  Church member and renown religious singer in her own right Brooke Fraser continues to make contributions to the Hillsong United productions.

Did you know …?

….the youth ministry band was originally called Powerhouse Youth

….since 1992 Joel Houston, Brain and Bobbie Houston's son, has lead Hillside United

….the band provides free music downloads on their website

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