For those of you who care: U2 didn't invent faith- based rock music. They walk in the footsteps of others. One major conceptual (not necessarily musical) influence was Larry Norman - especially during U2's October days. Like U2 he kept himself as far away from the contemporary christian music scene, labels and stores as possible. But other than U2 he was still widely considered a part of it.
The "grandfather of christian rock" died on February 24th, 2008 at the age of 60. He suffered from severe heart problems for some years. His most successful time was during the early seventies, his best known song most likely "Why should the Devil have all the good music". He was a strong and relentless critic of the dull self- centered western church, making not only friends among his brethren. He released several records for the benefit of the Calcutta mission and for the hungry in Africa. He even travelled to the communist soviet union during the cold war to preach and play underground. At an airplane accident in 1978 he got a partial brain damage that kept him from proper work for the next twelve years - only then he was mentally recovered well enough to record and finish new studio albums. After a terrible heart attack in 2001 he was on the edge of death but was saved through an experimental surgery. He never really recovered after that, though. His medical needs ate up all his savings, forcing him to play live in spite of his bad health - but not even that could make him less radical and commited to his message. No one really expected Larry Norman to reach a biblical age.
Larry Norman was married twice and has an adult son. His brother Charles played in Larry's band during the last twenty years.
One day we'll all have to cross the great divide. We'll meet again on the other side.
Here's the news from Larry's own website:
Larry Norman
4/8/1947 - 2/24/2008
Our friend and my wonderful brother Larry passed away at 2:45 Sunday morning. My wife Kristin and I were with him, holding his hands and sitting in bed with him when his heart finally slowed to a stop. We spent this past week laughing, singing, and praying with him, and all the while he had us taking notes on new song ideas and instructions on how to continue his ministry and art.
Several of his friends got to come and visit with him in the last couple of weeks and were a great source of help and friendship to Larry. Ray Sievers, Derek Robertson, Mike Makinster, Jerry Albertini, Charles Thompson, Tim and Christine Gilman, Matt and Becki Simmons, Kerry Hopkins, and a few more. Thank you, guys. Larry appreciated your visits very much. And he greatly appreciated the thoughts, wishes, support and prayers that came from all of you Solid Rock friends on a daily basis. Thank you for being part of his small circle of friends over the years. Saturday afternoon he knew he was going to go home to God very soon and he dictated the following message to you while his friend Allen Fleming typed these words into Larry's computer:
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I feel like a prize in a box of cracker jacks with God's hand reaching down to pick me up. I have been under medical care for months. My wounds are getting bigger. I have trouble breathing. I am ready to fly home.
My brother Charles is right, I won't be here much longer. I can't do anything about it. My heart is too weak. I want to say goodbye to everyone. In the past you have generously supported me with prayer and finance and we will probably still need financial help.
My plan is to be buried in a simple pine box with some flowers inside. But still it will be costly because of funeral arrangement, transportation to the gravesite, entombment, coordination, legal papers etc. However money is not really what I need, I want to say I love you.
I'd like to push back the darkness with my bravest effort. There will be a funeral posted here on the website, in case some of you want to attend. We are not sure of the date when I will die. Goodbye, farewell, we will meet again.
Goodbye, farewell, we'll meet again
Somewhere beyond the sky.
I pray that you will stay with God
Goodbye, my friends, goodbye.
Larry
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Thank you to all of you who were so nice to my brother over the years. There will be a public memorial ceremony for Larry at 10:00 AM on Saturday, March 1st at The Church on the Hill, 2707 Maranatha Ct., Turner, Oregon, just south of Salem. Here is a mapquest link.
You can leave a message for Larry's family at the Larry Norman Message Board
Here are some links to more info and observations on Larry:
Google News
Wkipedia
For more information contact:
Charles Norman
charles@slackertone.com
We miss him beyond words. Thank you for everything.
