Jeff Fenholt, the original star of the Broadway musical Jesus Christ Superstar, passed away on September 10, 2019, at the age of 68. His death was announced by his son Tristan on Facebook, who wrote a short tribute to his father. Fenholt was known for his performance as the title character in the rock opera by Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice, as well as his later career as a Christian evangelist and singer. He also had a controversial connection with the heavy metal band Black Sabbath, which he claimed to have been a member of for a brief period.
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The Official Statement
The official statement from Fenholt’s family has not been released yet, and the exact cause of death is unknown. However, according to TMZ, Fenholt was found dead at his home on Tuesday, and had been battling with health issues leading up to his death. The nature and severity of these health problems are not clear, but some sources suggest that he had suffered from heart problems in the past.
The Broadway Legend
Fenholt rose to fame in 1971, when he was cast as Jesus in the original Broadway production of Jesus Christ Superstar at the Mark Hellinger Theatre. He was only 20 years old at the time, and had no formal training in acting or singing. He auditioned for the role after hearing the concept album of the musical, which featured Deep Purple singer Ian Gillan as Jesus. Fenholt impressed the producers with his powerful voice and charismatic presence, and landed the lead role.
Fenholt’s performance as Jesus earned him critical acclaim and a loyal fan base. He also appeared on the cover of Time magazine in 1972, along with co-stars Ben Vereen (Judas) and Yvonne Elliman (Mary Magdalene). He toured with the musical for two years, playing to sold-out audiences around the world. He later released several solo albums, including a cover of Graham Nash’s “Simple Man”, which became a hit.
The Controversial Rocker
In the mid-1980s, Fenholt claimed to have joined Black Sabbath, the legendary English heavy metal band led by Tony Iommi. He said that he was hired as the lead singer for their seventh album, The Eternal Idol, and recorded several demos with them. However, he left the band before the album was completed, due to creative differences and personal issues. He also said that he became involved with drugs and alcohol during this period, and that he had a near-death experience that led him to convert to Christianity.
However, Iommi disputed Fenholt’s claims, and said that he was only one of the many singers who auditioned for the band, and that he never officially joined them. He also accused Fenholt of exaggerating his involvement with Black Sabbath, and exploiting their reputation for his own benefit. He wrote in his memoir that Fenholt “saw the light, rejected evil and all this bollocks”, and that he brought back the satanism accusations against Black Sabbath.
The Christian Evangelist
After leaving Black Sabbath, Fenholt became a born-again Christian, and dedicated his life to spreading the gospel through music and ministry. He hosted several TV shows on Christian networks, such as TBN and CBN, where he sang hymns and shared his testimony. He also wrote a book titled From Darkness to Light: How I Encountered Jesus Christ, in which he detailed his journey from rock stardom to faith.
Fenholt also continued to perform songs from Jesus Christ Superstar, but with a different perspective. He said that he now understood the true meaning of the musical, and that it was not blasphemous or anti-Christian as some critics had claimed. He said that he felt honored to portray Jesus on stage, and that he hoped to inspire others to know him personally.
Fenholt’s death has saddened many fans and friends who admired his talent and passion. He is survived by his wife Kim Fenholt (née Kim Schrader), whom he married in 1986; his son Tristan; his daughter Amber; his stepson Joshua; and his grandchildren. He will be remembered as a Broadway legend, a controversial rocker, and a Christian evangelist who touched many lives with his music and message.
