Chances are if you were a teenager and evangelical in the late 60s early 70s, then you probably know who was Larry Norman - he was the guy who made it hip to be a rocker and a Christian.
In particular I remember singing the haunting "I Wish We'd All Been Ready" that seemed to suggest Armegeddon was right around the corner. Years later while attending a private Christian university we repeatedly tried to have Larry Norman play at our school, something the directors didn't seem to approve of.
Larry Norman died Sunday night. He would have been 61 this April and had been ill for some time.
From the Wikipedia entry, we learn that "Norman's recordings are noted for their Christian and social subject matter, and he is often described as the "father of Christian rock music". Norman has also been described as having had a significant influence on many artists, secular and religious"
In that same entry, we read "Norman had long been associated with what has been referred to as the Jesus People movement of the late 1960s and early 1970s, although it has been reported that "he did not particularly identify himself with the youth–oriented 'Jesus movement' of the time".
Norman began recording in 1966 and recorded numerous albums. Norman's first album, I Love You, recorded when he was the lead singer for the group People!, was released in 1968. The name People was a stab at other rock groups that chose names of, animals, ie. Beatles, Animals, The Byrds, etc.
He opened for both the Doors and Jimi Hendrix. He was inducted into the Gospel Music Association's (GMA) Hall of Fame as a solo artist. In 2007 Norman was inducted into the San Jose Rocks Hall of Fame (San Jose, California), both as a member of People!, and as a solo artist.
Following is the note posted at his webpage announcing the news.
Larry Norman 4/8/47 - 2/24/08
Hello everybody.
Our friend and my wonderful brother Larry passed away at 2:45 Sunday morning. 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, Tim and Christine Gilman, Matt and Becky Simmons, Kerry Hopkins, Allen Fleming 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. Yesterday 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:
________________________________
(The above video, I believe, is from this February -- but then maybe again it's a hoax)
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
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