All of us who love Jesus and Rock Music--owe a great deal to Larry Norman, because
he loved both of them as well---a great deal! Larry and a few of his contemporaries--paved the way for what we would today call, "Christian Rock" and even more broadly, "CCM". Larry was a great Soldier on God's army. He will be missed. He struggled with a lot of health issues the latter portion of his life. I'm not sure with all of them were. But his spirit was strong to the very end! The following was taken directly from larrynorman.com on 02/28/08. As you read it, I hope it blesses and inspires you as much as it did me. If you would like to learn more about Larry, him music, ministry, heart and contributions to CCM--check out the url above, or just google his name---the man is a legend. . 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: 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 |
A Tribute to one of the Greatest Christian Rock Pioneers--ever! |