Back in the summer of 1984 I attended a Christian rock festival called Cornerstone. My friend Matt and I slept in a tent for 4 days, drank a couple cases of Moutain Dew, ate a ton of peanut butter, and listened to some classic Christian groups like AD, Jerusalem, The Daniel Band, and about 30 other groups. One individual who was there was Larry Norman. Larry was the pioneer of all that is Christian rock these days. As the Beatles and Jimi Hendrix are to regular rock music, so was Larry Norman to Christian rock.
Well, Larry Norman passed away on Sunday, February 24, 2008. Below are some words from his website as he faced death, his life, and the glory of eternity:
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 remember listening to Larry’s signature scratchy voice as he sang the song “I’m just lookin for a woman of God.” My friend Matt and I committed at that point to find ourselves Christian wives. It took about 3 – 5 years, but we eventually did.
Go check out Larry Norman’s website.
In my opinion, the three greatest losses to the world, let alone the world of Christian music were the passing of three men:
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Keith Green
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Rich Mullins
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Larry Norman
I’m looking forward to the day when I hear these three guys sing again!
Im so sad to hear of his passing. I had no idea of Larry’s poor health. I just remember him from my teen years and all the happiness his music brought to me, and the messages that were in it. What is our loss, is Heaven’s gain.
Bless you Larry .