Daniel Amos Message Board | Print: R.I.P. Larry Norman

Posted by jyroflux on 02-24-2008 at19:25:

For the sake of the guests who can't see the off-topic discussions below:

MESSAGE FROM SOLID ROCK - PLEASE READ
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 you friends here 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, Matt Simmons, 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 Army members 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:
________________________________

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 wont be here much longer. I cant 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
________________________________________

Thank you to all of you who were so nice to my brother over the years.
Kristin and I will post funeral information in the next day or two.
Right now we're not able to function very well, but the whole family is
here... our mother Margaret, our sisters Nancy and Kristy, Mike Norman
and his new wife Tiffany, and Silver.

We miss him beyond words. Thank you for everything.

Peace to you all in Christ,

Charles Norman

Link to message on LarryNorman.com

Posted by Phy on 02-24-2008 at19:52:

I've been using Phy, short for Phydeaux, for years--mostly because "The Mighty Grunion" didn't abbreviate well. Thanks to Larry for his part helping to kick off Christian Rock. I still hope we'll all be ready. That's something all of us can get behind.

Posted by audiori on 02-24-2008 at20:39:

What a shock to come home to. Wow.

We all knew it was coming eventually, but I was not expecting it this soon.

We never got to finish our last conversation.

Posted by Jimmy Brown on 02-24-2008 at22:44:

I am very sorry to hear about this. Rest well, Larry, and thank you for all you did.

Posted by jyroflux on 02-24-2008 at23:46:

Goodbye, Farewell

Posted by dennis on 02-25-2008 at05:57:

Kind of an Obit.

Larry Norman
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Larry David Norman (April 8, 1947 – February 24, 2008) was an internationally recognized American musician, singer, songwriter and producer. Norman's recordings are noted for their Christian and social subject matter and he is often described as the "father of Christian rock music".[1] Norman has also been described as having had a significant influence on many artists, secular and religious.[2]

Norman has long been associated with what has been referred to as the Jesus People movement of the late 1960's and early 1970's [3], although it has been reported that "he did not particularly identify himself with the youth–oriented 'Jesus movement' of the time".[4][5]

Norman has been recording since 1966 and has 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 bands cover version of The Zombies song of the same name reached number 7 on Billboard magazines top twenty list in June of that year as a single. Norman left People! prior to 1969 and has since performed as a solo artist, appearing both on mainstream and independent labels.[6]

In 2001 Norman 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. At that time Norman reunited for a concert with People![2]

Due to reasons of ill health, Norman has performed on a very limited basis in recent years.[7]

A documentary outlining his career as a troubled troubadour will be out in 2008.

Posted by Curly on 02-25-2008 at06:49:

I will miss you my dear friend.

Let that tape keep rollin.

Posted by jiminy on 02-25-2008 at07:41:

Thanks to you we've learned the devil never had any of the good music.

my post elsewhere~

My moms funeral is today at 11:00
I will say prayers for Larryboy- I know we teased about him..but I dont feel bad- he was who he was.
and if he thinks my mom is gonna give him "cuts" in the line..hes in for it!
.
I loved his music-his radical ideas..and his Love for Jesus. that was really what he was all about- theatrics aside.

Love you Larry- see you next time.

Posted by Lur King on 02-25-2008 at10:16:

Larry has gone HoMe

Posted by Jerry Davison on 02-25-2008 at13:54:

Wow. I've always just kind of taken it for granted that Larry would always be around... Man, I'll miss that guy... but not for long! 1 Thess. 4:16-18 Smile

Posted by Commander Cote on 02-25-2008 at14:03:

DaLe
Thanks for posting the Goodbye Farewell vid, really makes ya think...

JiMiNy
Don't worry about your Mom and Larry getting into it, Dave Sjoberg will be there to keep the peace....

Thank God for Larry's music, it got me goin in the right direction, and even though there have been some rough times we're still here singing about Jesus just the same whoaaa yeah!

God Bless
Commander

Posted by Space Ghost on 02-25-2008 at14:56:

So long, Larry.

Crying

Posted by bereal on 02-25-2008 at15:18:

rip larry norman

Posted by John Foxe on 02-25-2008 at16:41:

Bittersweet

His passing as with all saints is bittersweet.

Many of us have had issues with Larry over the years, but death makes all those things seem almost insignificant, doesn't it?

I think I'll have some questions for Larry when I get there.
Happy

Posted by DwDunphy on 02-25-2008 at17:05:

RE: Bittersweet

The grace of God is a clarifying thing, I believe. By then, all our grievances will be moot...

And that's a good thing 'cause I'd have an awful lot of explaining to do.

Posted by chrharr on 02-25-2008 at18:05:

We will miss Larry and the impact he made upon Christian rock music.

Chris Harris
Olathe, Ks

Posted by Captain Pedantic on 02-25-2008 at18:42:

I'm glad Terry, Randy and Larry sorted things out a few years ago. It would have been horrible to have that hanging in the air.

Anyway this is there are at least two Larry songs that have meant a lot to me - here they are...

I Am A Servant

I am a servant, I am listening for my name
I sit here waiting I've been looking at the game
That I've been playing and I've been staying much the same
When you are lonely you're the only one to blame

I am a servant, I am waiting for Your call
I've been unfaithful so I sit here in the hall
How can You use me when I've never given all
How can You choose me when You know I quickly fall

So You feed my soul and you make me whole
And you let me know You love me
And I'm worthless now but I've made a vow
I will humbly bow before You
Oh please use me, I am lonely

I am a servant, getting ready for my part
There's been a change, a rearrangement in my heart
At last I'm learning there's no returning once I start
To live's a privilege, to love is such an art
But I need Your help to start
Oh please purify my heart
I am Your servant

IT'S ONLY TODAY THAT COUNTS

It ain't no good to lay in bed at night
And think about the past
About how you could have done things differently
But it happened way too fast.

Just close your eyes, go to sleep
Let the angels bring you dreams.
Let that pain unwind behind you
And float away, float away on silent streams.

You gotta live your life the best you can
Though you sometimes do your worst.
You gotta laugh when you fail, it's not the end of the world
Life is a play you can't rehearse.

Don't make big plans for tomorrow,
You can't control what lies ahead.
You must try to live each moment
As it comes instead.

There is no use dreaming of a perfect future
Or regretting a troubled past.
It's only today that counts
Live it like it might be your last.
It's only today that counts
Live it like it might be your last.

It never helps to worry, it never hurts to pray,
Tomorrow will come soon enough; just pray about today.
And relax, trust your life to God,
The future is in his hand,
Only faith will help you face each day's demands.

Ain't no use worrying, life goes so fast.
It's only today that counts
Live it like it might be your last.
It's only today that counts
Live it like it might be your last.

Posted by Mark on 02-25-2008 at21:14:

Jason & Eric,

What now of this?

Arena Rock Recordings

And speaking of, how much longer for Darn Floor, Big Bite?

Posted by audiori on 02-25-2008 at21:36:

I know Larry's been mentioning that set for quite a while, so it could be that most of the work was already done. Not sure though. I'm sure Charles and Kristin will be able to work out any final details if they want to go forward with it.

On Darn Floor... the bonus material is being created and assembled. I haven't heard a final date so far, but its not really something that should take a long time. Its a lot different than putting the bonus disc together for the first album. I know Tom was heading to see Terry last week to work on one part of it in fact. We mailed off another part about the same time.. so, its coming together.