Larry Norman, A Tribute

My Sister-In Law called today while I was home for lunch and said she just heard that Larry Norman passed away. I ran to the computer and ran off a couple of articals; one on his death and one on his last concert in the United States. Then I went back to work. As I drove I felt a sudden welling up of tears and emotion. I thanked God, then, for Larry Norman's music and the way he impacted my life.

I was in the 5th grade, I think, when I first heard "I Wish We'd All Been Ready". I was sitting on the floor of the fellowship hall at Trinity Presbyterian Church where my Dad was and still is the pastor. The Youth Group was singing the song and I remember wishing I was old enough to be up there with them. I'd hear a great remake of the song years later at a DC Talk show.

After I started seriously following Jesus as a teenager - 16 years old or so - some friends of mine introduced me to Larry's great early albums (Thanks Greg, Lewis, and Donny!) We all used to enjoy listening to those songs. We really studied his lyrics. Some of them were really clever and often they were pretty funny as well. "Larry Norman's Ninety-Ninth Nightmare" comes to mind. One of my favorites was called "Feeling So Bad" (I Think) about a guy who thinks his girl is cheating on him but she's really just found Jesus.

I remember walking down King Street in Boone as a college student in 1983. I had my walkman cassette player on with Larry's "Sweet Song Of Salvation" really loud through the earphones. I listened to it over and over, really happy that I was saved from my sins.

Then there's the song "I Am A Servant". My friend Rick Hoyle, a great guitarist with a sweet spirit - the most Christ-like person I'd ever known - sang a hauntingly beautiful version of this song that always made me want to give my whole self to the Lord.

A few years later I remember singing "I Am A Servant" many, many times to the Lord during a season of rededicating my life to Him.

My friend Donny sent me a couple of Larry Norman tapes when I was in my thirties and I wore them out!

So many memories wraped up in so many Larry Norman songs. So you can understand why I got choked up hearing he had gone on to be with Jesus.

All day I've had his song "If God Is My Father" running through my mind. Great song.

The post below is a poor quality video of my old bandmates jamming through Larry's "Why Should The Devil Have All The Good Music". I was invited to this jam session/concert but I was off at college. Since I couldn't come they sent me a copy of the concert on video and I've held on to it for years. I think they did three Larry Norman songs that night.

So... I lift my imaginary glass of imaginary wine to toast the life of the Father of Christian Rock. Rest in peace, brother Larry. Thank you for the music.