The Narrow Path Ministries

I read an article today that Larry Norman died. I had never heard of him before but apparently he was a progenitor of Christian rock and influenced bands like U2.

He apparently was associated with the Jesus Movement so I was wondering if Steve G ever met him or knew of him.

Here's the wikipedia article:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Larry_Norman

TK

Thanks for posting this TK, I didn't know Larry had died.
I enjoyed his music and went to one of his concerts in Melbourne, in the 1970s. It was interesting to read the wiki. article; I remembered hearing a few of the earlier albums mentioned. It seems so long ago now!
It sounds like he remained a Christian, which is great.
I believe Steve did know him.

TK, thanks also for posting this. (I didn't even know Larry was sick).
I've had his site bookmarked but haven't been to it since last summer. 'Never saw him in concert but bought some of his old "albums" on CD a few years ago. "In Another Land" was always my fave. "One Way" fave song, with "Why Should the Devil Have All the Good Music?" or "He's the Rock that Doesn't Roll" (He's good for the body! and great for the soul!) tied for second ... R.I.P., Larry Norman.

Went to his memorial service in Salem this morning. A very moving event, full of wonderful memories and celebration. It was amazing to see all the folks that represent the impact he had throughout his life, even up to the end. What a story.

If you're at all familiar with his early music, I would highly recommend checking out some of his later stuff (the last 10 years). Like a lot of those old Jesus movement artists (Randy Stonehill, Terry Taylor, etc..), they just get better with age.

Check out his website: www.larrynorman.com

Anochria, that must have been awesomely sad and glad at once....

I used to really get into Randy Stonehill's music waaaaay back but haven't kept up with him. Phil Keaggy I've followed through the years (as he's been a renown guitarist-among-guitarists). I just learned Randy & Phil have some music out...

Found this too....
Randy Stonehill's Statement on the Death of Larry Norman

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Larry Norman was born on April 8, 1947, and died Feb. 24, 2008.
(date of photo unknown, I think fairly recent)

yes, it was bittersweet.

however, it was more joyful and celebratory than you might expect if you just read Randy's statement.

despite some of the estrangement larry experienced with others in his past, it was super apparent that he continued to form deep friendships right up to the very end. the testimonies were spectacular- old and young alike who were touched by his life.

regarding norman and stonehill (and I must add Daniel Amos)- if you were into those guys at all years ago, you really need to check out their later stuff.

Randy's two best albums IMO are Return to Paradise (1989) and Edge of the World (2004?) but there are several runners up between those two that are definitely worth a spin as well.

BTW, what's your favorite Keaggy album? Crimson and Blue is hands down my favorite of his vocal albums.

There's a photo album of the Memorial-funeral on Larry's site (on the forum). It had a cooler pic of Larry and a really good one of his mom but I couldn't get them posted for some reason. So I googled more Larry pics and this one looked the most recent (of all I saw).

I also read on the forum what other people said who were at the funeral, a sad celebration. Btw, I had a mind to go to Carl Perkins' funeral in Jackson, TN when I lived in Memphis but decided not to go. George Harrison, Dylan, and Jeff Lynde were there and sang (celebrated). Harrison was always my fave fab-four (I used to pray for George, that he would become a Christian)....
Phil's played "Here Comes the Sun" the last two times I saw him (1978 with Petra in their homechurch, 1983, 2001, 2005). Last two here in Ohio.

Ph'lip Side, Crimson & Blue, What a Day, Jammed! (tooo awesome instrumentally)! Ph'lip Side I've always had a special place for. I bought it right after I backslid...but still kept listening to it (a lot, drunk as a skunk). I guess..."I didn't believe Sunday School"...(ppl are weird).

I loaded two free tunes from Randy's site, one with Phil. I'm not for sure but think I may have seen Stonehill once (like in 77, but had never heard of him before)...I know Mike Warnke was there. He was playing some Christian band's tunes out of his van and said, "Hey, man, don't these guys putcha in the mind a Canned Heat?" And, yeah, I remember Daniel Amos, will check them out. I used to have "Welcome to Paradise" but backslid and it got lost....

Not to go into it much but I've played guitar since '74. I knew the early "Jesus Freaks" bands, Maranatha label (California folks), Larry, Phil, Ressurection Band, Talbot Brothers, 2nd Chapter of Acts, Barry McGuire...all 'them. But I backslid for a long time, or at least didn't serve the Lord as I'm doing now. So, I was away from the Christian rock scene but was still around when it started getting really commercial. I sort of kept up with it through the years by watching videos sometimes (after videos came out!)! I don't especially care for a lot of these newer bands (meaning early-mid 80s on, lol) and contemporary worship music. And, I'm not sure what I'm trying to say! Jars of Clay are pretty good. I don't know...the early "Jesus Freaks" music had so much more substance to it. I think maybe I'm just getting old....

I found out Larry wrote his farewell letter on my 52nd birthday, Feb. 23, 2008, the day before he died. I see it as a kind of birthday present-blessing....

when Larry wrote: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

I "announced" Larry's death on the announcements page. Felt it would be a good thing to do. Thanks.

I did not know who Larry was but I am touched by his ministry in song. Here is a link I found with memorial pictures.


Memorial Photos

Hey Allyn,

Those are the ones I saw too.
His mom looks like such a sweet lady....

And, could you shorten that link, please?
Long links make my page go really wide.
If you don't know how, no problem......I see you've done it now, thanks!
(hope my One Way Sign Pic isn't too big).

I just made a couple posts on Larry's forum:
Leave a Message for Larry Norman's Family

In part I wrote:
"I also recall when the "One Way Sign" (Larry's infamous upheld index finger) was a kind of secret-insiders signal for Christians. Some of my non-Christian friends would go, "Hey man, what was that number one for?" when I'd signal it to another believer, lol. The sports world has since ripped off the One-Way-Signal. I think it needs revived...it sure made for a cool witnessing tool..."....

I don't know...the early "Jesus Freaks" music had so much more substance to it. I think maybe I'm just getting old....

I don't think so. For the most part, I agree with you and I'm but a mere 32