For four decades, Christian rock band Sweet Crystal has been spreading its music and message across the globe. Formed in the winter of 1971-1972, the group made up of Marq Speck (lead vocals, keys) and Bill Blatter (guitar, vocals) of Local 784 (Pontiac, MI) and Steve Wieser (drums) of Local 625 (Ann Arbor, MI) has stood the test of time.

“We clicked musically and had the same influences,” Speck says of the trio’s meeting. “It was divine intervention. It’s the way God works, pointing us in the right direction. It took us six or seven years to know what we were supposed to be doing, but God had a point for us then and does now. We’re doing exactly what we need to be doing.”

Forming the band just after high school, the three went to different colleges throughout Michigan. They kept up with weekend gigs and eventually music took a bigger and bigger role in their lives. They opened for acts including Bob Seger of Local 784, Nazareth, Steppenwolf, Foghat, Rare Earth, and Stryper throughout the 1980s. They released their debut EP Power-N-Glory in 1985.

But as the music industry changed, the band adapted, moving towards more studio work in the 1990s. Wieser focused on a career in the automotive industry, Blatter finished school, and Speck kept focused on independent studio work, creating music for commercials.

In 2000, they had a new opportunity for Sweet Crystal. A group putting together a show for veterans, many of whom were fans in the ’80s, contacted the band. “We never thought of performing live again,” Speck says. “But because of his call, we put the show back together.”

They played their own material and sparked fresh interest in the band. They started performing more benefits, brushing up their live chops. Today they’re playing more live shows than ever before. They even remastered and re-released Power-N-Glory with the subtitle Resurrected Masters.

“Music keeps you young,” Speck says. “Whether you’re playing for a huge audience or a few followers, it’s just about playing and the camaraderie. We still love and adore each other and have something to do musically.”

The band released Still Standing in 2003 and 3 in 2010. They hope to release their next album, QUAD, later this year. And all along, they’ve stayed true to their message.

“We’re a Christian progressive rock band,” Speck explains. “But we’re not a praise and worship band. There is a difference. What we try to do is relate the stories of our lives and how we come out we come out on the other side—better and with more hope.

"It's the promise that God has for all of us. We don’t preach at people. We come out and let people know there is help and hope. Whatever you’re going through—we’ve dealt with and there is another side. Hopefully something in our songs will help them.”

Sweet Crystal has also benefited greatly from its union membership and Speck notes that he’s been a member since he started in music in the 1970s.

“Everything adds up,” Speck says of member benefits, noting website hosting, International Musician stories and classified ads, and medical benefits as a few of the perks. “You want to be a musician, that’s great. You want to be a grown-up musician, that’s really great. For the time and money, the benefits far outweigh the costs.”

After 40 years, Sweet Crystal shows no signs of slowing. They reach more people (thanks to the power of the Internet, especially, Speck notes). They’ve found a home with Tate Music Group (TMG), a Christian music label out of Oklahoma.

The members of Sweet Crystal are proud of the band’s success in recent years. In the last four, years the band has taken home 11 Detroit Music Awards.

“When you’re younger, it builds into your ego,” Speck says. “Nowadays, we’re just blessed. We sit back and go, ‘wow.’ We’re much more appreciative.”

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