I learned this afternoon that one of the fathers of Christian rock, Larry Norman, passed away on Sunday, February 24th. I grew up on his music. Some of today's CCM artists may not even realize they are standing on his shoulders. He had been in poor health for several years and was considered something of an outsider. However, best I could tell, he was always true to himself and just wanted to sing about Jesus. So, I don't think he minded. He was just 60 years old. But, we're only visiting this planet.A statment Larry posted on his website the day before he died:
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. 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. I'd like to push back the darkness with my bravest effort. There will be funeral information posted on my 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.
larrynorman.com
CCM Magazine article
Listen to the NPR story.
2 comments:
That opening sentence of his statement alone makes me want to know his music.
Larry was one of my last living heroes.
One of the myriad of cool things about Larry was his ability to change up his songs night to night and year to year. He reinvented his melodies so often that it made his songs new every time you heard them. That video sort of showed that.
Remember the time he was at Cafe Express in Mt Juliet and we didn't go because we were under the assumption Mt Juliet was a really long drive from Bellevue? Gosh that was stupid.
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