Jeffrey Craig Fenholt (born 1951) is a singer noted for his performance as the title character in the original Broadway theatre adaptation of Jesus Christ Superstar and for his appearance on the cover of "Time Magazine". In later years, he would gain notoriety as a Christian evangelist and singer, as well as controversy over his involvement with the heavy metal band Black Sabbath.
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Fenholt grew up in Ohio and went to school in Columbus. He was involved with a number of rock bands and performed at various school functions. Fenholt got his first Top 40 hit recording with "The Fifth Order", "Gone Too Far" at 14 yrs old. He toured extensively through HS. By his own admission, he was a troubled youth with a juvenile delinquency record. Later, he worked while attending University, at Jeffrey Mining Machinery Co. as a material mover in the motor winding and assembly department, and loading and unloading beef sides for a non union roughneck truck dock, EC Clair. Fenholt attended Ohio St University for two years on a Music Scholarship, and later earned his B.A (Music) at The School of Bible Theology University in Ca.
In 1971, Fenholt was cast as the title role in the Broadway run of Jesus Christ Superstar at the Mark Hellinger Theatre. Incidentally, Ted Neeley, who would go on to become famous for playing Jesus for many performances and in the 1974 movie, was Fenholt's understudy. Also, future JCS legends Carl Anderson and Yvonne Elliman toured alongside Fenholt on the Premier JCS World Tour (as a Judas and Mary Magdalene, respectively).
In 1978, Fenholt recorded a Disco LP called "Smile" for CBS and was paid $300,000 dollars. Fenholt also recorded for Capitol Records, Universal, Paramount, Polygram, Polydor, Decca, RCA, and as a youth, Laurie, Diamond and Cameo Parkway. He is currently recording for Sony.
Fenholt's 1994 autobiography From Darkness To Light makes substantial allegations of abuse and mistreatment as a youth, including claims that he was subjected to frequent beatings. Fenholt's siblings claim that he invented the allegations to further his career as an evangelist. In 1996, Fenholt's parents sued him, Trinity Broadcasting Network (TBN), and the publisher of his autobiography for $12 million each for defamation of character. The lawsuit was subsequently dropped after Fenholt produced court documents from the Superior Court Of Franklin County, Ohio, confirming his claims, and Fenholt later claimed that he has a "warm relationship" with his mother.
According to Fenholt's autobiography, he was heavily addicted to alcohol and drugs following the 1973 end of Jesus Christ Superstar's run on Broadway. Fenholt's often-repeated testimony (later published in his autobiography) details a visit from Christian construction workers (Nick Disipio, owner, hired by his Christian wife to rebuild a wing of his house) who confronted him regarding his portrayal of Christ on stage. Fenholt was converted to Christ, beat his addictions, then spent the next several years struggling to balance his faith and his career, before becoming a high-profile personality on programming aired by TBN.
Fenholt's Broadway and rock music backgrounds were used to sell him as an evangelist. Fenholt also sported long hair, an unusual style in conservative evangelical circles. Fenholt would often appear with his wife Maureen (nicknamed "Reeni").
Fenholt built his career as a TBN personality based mostly upon his involvement with Jesus Christ Superstar, and Black Sabbath. In the publication 'Never Say Die', Jeff Fenholt states that Black Sabbath manager Don Arden informed him he was singing for Black Sabbath.
The 'Never Say Die' book, authored by Garry Sharpe-Young and updated as 'Sabbath Bloody Sabbath - The battle for Black Sabbath', states that a substantial number of recordings were made during Fenholt's time with the group. It is acknowledged that this was a confusing time in the band history as singer David Donato had left the band after six months only having recorded demos. Geezer Butler and Bill Ward had also left, leaving Tony Iommi as the sole original member.
Manager Don Arden suggested Iommi use Jeff Fenholt and tracks were written, in the main by Iommi and Nicholls, for a proposed new album. The book Never Say Die voices opinion from other band members that Fenholt might have been kept in the dark about plans to make an Iommi solo album. Geoff Nicholls says Iommi wanted to use different singers, including David Coverdale, Steve Marriott, Glenn Hughes and Rob Halford. Fenholt then left to join Driver, with Rudy Sarzo, Tommy Aldridge and Craig Goldy.
Fenholt says several of his melodies were used in songs that appeared on Seventh Star (and subsequently did not receive credit for them). None of his lyrics were used, as confirmed by comparing the Fenholt demos with the album. Rumors suggesting he only left the project because of supposed personal conflicts with the lyrical material being written and his religious faith are denied by Fenholt and Geoff Nicholls, who wrote the lyrics. Fenholt claims it was in fact a physical argument with Don Arden that caused his departure. But recently, Tony Iommi stated that Fenholt was never in the band, but that he merely tried out for Iommi's album. Iommi went on to say that he had a good voice, but it didn't work, due to Fenholt not being able to come up with lyrics as he was singing.
In 1993 Fenholt announced on the TV program The 700 Club that he planned to do a Halloween concert in an arena in Mount Horeb, Wisconsin. Having advance notification from the Attorney General of Massachusetts of his arrival in Wisconsin, Wiccan Priest Selena Fox (Circle Santuary) got a restraining order from the local county court prohibiting not only his trespass onto private property but actually specifying that he stay a particular distance from the property line. Fenholt won in court.
In the December 1997 issue, Vanity Fair detailed his past as a "boy toy" for Gala Dali, wife of Salvador Dalí and that Fenholt had worked on the side as a representative for Salvador Dalí. Gala was known for her numerous affairs and affections for young artists during the later years of her life.
Fenholt was divorced in 1998 and left TBN, except for a few brief appearances, including one after the events of September 11, 2001, that featured a marked change in his demeanor and appearance, including short hair and a quick exit from the stage following his performance. He was also briefly seen doing a late-night timeslot for a half-hour program. Fenholt stated that after his divorce he had "lost his fire".
Fenholt returned to TBN on March 3, 2004, as a guest on the Behind the Scenes program, hosted by Paul Crouch. Fenholt mentioned Black Sabbath, citing the book 'Never Say Die', a "Black Sabbath" biography.
"Jeff Fenholt sang on some recordings for Tony Iommi in (19)85 in (Los Angeles). Tony was looking for a singer for what was supposed to be his "solo" album. Jeff came down and worked in the studio from Jan-May. That project became the "Seventh Star", "Black Sabbath" album with Glenn Hughes on vocals, and my first album. That's pretty much all there is to the story. Jeff had a great voice but it just didn't work out." - Eric Singer
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