ALICE COOPER, DAVE MUSTAINE And BRIAN WELCH Are Among Rockers Who Have Found God

Troy Anderson of LA Daily News reports: As the lead guitarist for KORN, Brian Welch catapulted to fame as part of a dark nu metal band that became the voice of angry youth worldwide with its controversial lyrics about alienation and abuse.

But after a decade of playing with a multi-platinum group that sank into a life of debauchery and decadence, Welch shocked the music world two years ago by announcing he had found God.

"I had a spiritual encounter that took me higher than any drug I've ever done," Welch said. "It was real — 100 percent without a doubt I know I had an encounter with God.

"I quit KORN within a couple of weeks and I was delivered from drugs and alcohol."

The tattooed, bearded, long-haired Welch is among several rock 'n' rollers who have found God in recent years and reported miraculous deliveries from addictions.

Alice Cooper, who sobered up years ago, took up golfing and now serves as president of the Solid Rock Foundation in Arizona helping troubled youth. Others include blues prodigy Jonny Lang, MEGADETH founder Dave Mustaine and U2's Bono.

It's encouraging that the most radical rockers also make the most radical followers of Jesus," said Craig Detweiler, director of Reel Spirituality at Fuller Theological Seminary in Pasadena, an institute that explores the connections between faith and pop culture.

"And honestly, there is not a more influential Christian on the planet today than Bono. He's probably the greatest living example of what post-modern sainthood would look like."

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