Hillsong United

christian

Hillsong United is an Australian worship band. They started as the youth ministry band from Hillsong Church in Australia. Their music is praise and worship with a contemporary style that is a mix of contemporary Christian music and mainstream rock. The band was formerly named United Live and was led by Reuben Morgan and Marty Sampson. United Live made its first album in 1999 after a suggestion from worship pastor Darlene Zschech to Reuben Morgan. (This has been mentioned by Reuben in the documentary section of the United We Stand DVD) Following the advice, Reuben and Marty led the team in making their very first album, Everyday. They subsequently recorded 3 more albums with Reuben before changing the band's name from 'United Live' to 'Hillsong United' after Reuben's departure in 2002. Joel Houston, the son of the church's senior pastor, replaced Reuben, and stepped up to lead the group together with Marty. The band has toured in a number of countries, and their 2006 release United We Stand was the best selling album of 2006 in Canada at Christian retail stores. Current members of the Hillsong United band include Joel Houston, Jonathon Douglass (J.D.), Jadwin Jad Gillies, Matt Crocker, Taya Smith, Dylan Thomas (on rhythm guitar), Timon Klein (on lead guitar), Peter James & Benjamin Tennikoff (on keyboards), Adam Crosariol (on bass guitar), and Simon Kobler (on drums). The annual Hillsong United CD/DVD is recorded during their October youth conference Encounterfest; the album...