Christian Rock Summer 2025 continues! On today's episode, Brian Alford (The Worst of All Possible Worlds, @spocksbrian) joined Josiah and Josh to discuss !Hero: The Rock Opera: a 2003 musical attempting to be "Jesus Christ Superstar for the MTV generation," featuring a CCM star-studded cast including Michael Tait, Rebecca St. James, Mark Stuart, and more.
Content warning: Today's episode contains a lengthy discussion about the sexual assault allegations that have come out regarding Michael Tait.
References
- !Hero: The Rock Opera, YouTube, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7sAAtOosJVY
- !Hero: The Rock Opera, Various Artists, https://open.spotify.com/album/2xyLlMkoj24VBhzRsKJMBT?si=Vg4quh3rSIOvoV7S_lUqfw
- "'!Hero' puts spin on familiar story," Sarasota-Herald Tribune, https://www.heraldtribune.com/story/news/2003/10/31/hero-puts-spin-on-familiar-story/28772644007/. This is where the quote of Michael Tait saying Jesus "probably looked more like a terrorist" is from.
- "JFH Concert Review: !Hero - The Rock Opera Tour, 11/8/03, Washing Township Performing Arts Center, Sewell, NJ," Jesus Freak Hideout, https://www.jesusfreakhideout.com/concerts/!Hero.asp
- "!Hero: The Rock Opera," God Awful Movies, https://podcasts.apple.com/lk/podcast/hero-the-rock-opera/id1041876428?i=1000554848223
- "Hayley Williams Hopes Christian Music Industry ‘Crumbles’ Amid Michael Tait Scandal: ‘F— All of You Who Knew and Didn’t Say Anything,’" Chris Willman in Variety, https://variety.com/2025/music/news/hayley-williams-christian-music-crumbles-michael-tait-ccm-1236430953/
- "EXCLUSIVE: Former Newsboys Frontman Michael Tait Accused of Sexual Assault, Grooming, and Substance Abuse, Dating Back to 2004," Jessica Morris in The Roys Report, https://julieroys.com/former-newsboys-frontman-michael-tait-accused-sexual-assault-grooming-substance-abuse-dating-back-to-2004/
- "Ex-Newsboys Singer Michael Tait Breaks Silence on Sexual Assault Allegations: ‘I Will Simply Call It What God Calls It — Sin,’" Jessica Nicholson in Billboard, https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/michael-tait-newsboys-responds-sexual-assault-allegations-1235995610/
- "'He stole a piece of our souls’: Christian music star Michael Tait accused of sexual assault by three men," Josiah Hesse in The Guardian, https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/jun/13/michael-tait-sexual-assault-allegations
- "Woman Accuses Michael Tait of Drugging Her and Watching While She Was Raped; Says Newsboys Tour Manager Covered It Up," Jessica Morris in The Roys Report, https://julieroys.com/woman-accuses-michael-tait-drugging-her-watching-newsboys-tour-manager-covered-up/
Audio credits
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What is Fruitless?
A show about history, politics, faith, media, and the internet hosted by Josiah Sutton. Aiming for at least two free episodes per month. Artwork by Kipp Paulsen. More content can be found on Patreon https://www.patreon.com/user?u=11922141